Ronie LeBeau Tureau

On January 26, 2017, Ronie LeBeau Tureau, age 98, passed away peacefully at the Carpenter House in Baton Rouge. She previously lived in St. Amant for almost 70 years. Most recently after the 2016 flood, she lived briefly with a son and daughter-in-law, and later moved to Azalea Estates in Gonzales where she met new friends and had many enjoyable days. On August 16, 1918 Ronie Margaret LeBeau was born to Elphege and Adley LeBeau of Brignac,Louisiana.

Ronie was the oldest of six children and was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister Ealia LeBeau (Hickley) Waguespack and brothers Welmon, Hilton and Acklin (Enell) LeBeau. She is survived by her youngest brother Elton "Pap" (Lynois) LeBeau. On February 5, 1945 Ronie married Ernest E. Tureau, now deceased, of Lake, Louisiana while he was serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war they resided in St. Amant, Louisiana. They had seven children: Judge Ralph (Cindy) Tureau, Addie Tureau (John) Ruey, Joel who died one month after birth, David (June) Tureau, Norris (Jerry) Tureau, Lynn (Loene) Tureau and Joey (Sherri) Tureau. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Matthew Tureau, Renee Tureau Kelsey, Charles Tureau and Steven Tureau; Bradley and Nathaniel Ruey; David, Adam and Alexandra Tureau; Zachary Tureau and Elise Tureau Frederic; Angie Tureau Babin, Sara Tureau Laiche and Brian Tureau; Aaron and Caleb Tureau.

Additionally, she is survived by 17 great-grandchildren plus two pending births. Upon reflecting on her 98 years, Ronie felt that she lived a very rich and fulfilled life as she enjoyed being of service to others. She particularly enjoyed her roles of mother, grandmother, big sister and matriarch to all. She was very active with her children and took exceptional pride in their education and accomplishments. She enjoyed baking, sewing, working in her flower garden and making her famous "Ma Ma Bread". In support of her children's activities, she taught religious education and was Treasurer of the PTA. She was a skilled amateur craftsman in many areas. She honed these skills and her managerial abilities as a 60 year member of the Homemaker's Club where she served as President.

She won many awards and accolades for her dessert entries in the Strawberry Fair as well as local and state sewing competitions. Later she was a judge at the Jambalaya Festival and other Ascension Parish competitions. In addition to providing for her family, she was a very active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Amant and various ministries in Ascension Parish. Her volunteer achievements included serving as President of Holy Rosary Altar Society for 14 years, Member of Holy Rosary Parish Council Finance Committee and Eucharistic Minister. As Chair of the church Community Responsibility Committee, she was an organizer and founding Board Member of the Fellowship Center located in Gonzales. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Chair of Senior Citizens Outreach and Chair of Adopt-a-Family that provided food and Christmas baskets to the needy. She established and coordinated Holy Rosary's Food Pantry as well as the church's Bereavement Committee. In recognition of all her many volunteer contributions, Ronie was chosen 2000 Ascension Parish Community Volunteer of the Year and later in 2009, she was recognized as an Ascension Lifetime Volunteer. In 2000, Holy Rosary Church held a banquet to honor her and another octogenarian for their numerous life-long contributions to the community. The entire Tureau family would like to thank all relatives, neighbors, church members, fellow volunteers, friends and caretakers who touched Ronie and enriched her life. We are most grateful for the kindness of caretakers Barbara Melancon, and the staffs at Azalea Estates, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, and the Carpenter House.

Visitation will be at Ourso Funeral Home at 13533 Airline Highway in Gonzales, LA on Friday, January 27th from 5:00 PM rosary to 8:30 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday, January 28th at 9:00 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 44458 Highway 429 in St. Amant before the funeral mass at 11:00 AM. After mass, there will be a funeral procession to the burial cemetery adjacent to Sacred Heart Chapel at 45049 Lake Martin Road in St. Amant, LA (Lake). After burial, a memorial gathering will be held at the St. Mark Catholic Church Activity Center at 42021 Highway 621 in Gonzales, LA . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ronie's memory to the Fellowship Center at 813 S Burnside Avenue, Gonzales, LA 70737 or the Holy Rosary Community Responsibility Committee at 44450 Highway 429, St. Amant, LA 70774.