The Life of Mable Hebert
Funeral services will be held at a 1:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Mable Mae Hebert, 100, who passed away on Monday, July 14, 2008 at Maison de Lafayette Nursing Home.
Reverend Jerry Mesley will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Interment will take place in Holy Mary, Mother of God Cemetery.
On January 16, 1908 in Napoleonville, Louisiana, Lafourche Parish, Mable Mae was born to proud parents James Barras and Adeline Aucoin Barras. Mable was also welcomed into this traditional French Catholic community by her older sister, Eula and Edith. Her birth order became that of a middle child after only her brother, Raleigh, was born, followed by the birth of her youngest sister, Delta.
Faithful to her family''s legacy of a unique work ethic and with only a fifth grade education; young Mable sought and began to enjoy employment as a waitress. Until her retirement at 79, Mable completed the tasks at hand in her chosen vocation as nobly and ably an official community ambassador, feeding the world travelers who came to or through our fair Louisiana cities where she worked. It could be said that she fine tuned her duties until each became a work of art. Her sense of humor was the oil for the ''wheels'' of dedication to the people she served. A tribute to her even-tempered disposition is a statement made by her daughter. ''I never saw my mother angry. How wonderful.'' God is good! He sent the love of her life in the form of a good looking, blue eyed, Catholic Cajun boy from Louisiana. Now, you might say, what more could any girl ask? On March 18, 1926, the two were wed. One of the real joys the couple shared was dancing and on many weekends they indulged in this pastime with friends.
During the Great Depression years, Mable and Laurent lived in Port Arthur, Texas. After the end of World War II in 1946, the Hebert''s returned to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. At the time of Laurent''s passing on December 11, 1985, the couple had celebrated 59 years of marriage. Blessings came to them during those 59 years. Three daughters were born: Jessie Nell, Delores Elaine, and JoAnn. From these children their family continued to grow in love with the addition of ten grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren; and thirty great great grandchildren.
Mable was an avid bourre player and after retirement was able to enjoy more of her time playing card games with her friends and family. She also loved occasional outings to local casinos.
Eventually, as Father time marched on, administering and monitoring medical needs came into play. In June 1999, Maison de Lafayette, a skilled nursing facility, became her newest home with a well conveyed understanding that her family was always only a phone call away. Any holiday season brought joy and contentment to her life as she caught up on the latest with each family member. Being the people oriented person Mable was, she enjoyed the comradery in activities with other residents daily. Her beauty survived the hands of time and in the year 2000, she was crowned Mardi Gras queen at Maison de Lafayette.
She has become part of an elite group of citizens who have reached 100 years. Her life has witnessed the advent of cars, planes, radio, talking movies, television, space exploration and spray net. She has lived in a free country that survived two world wars and many other conflicts. During all of this time, she has kept and unwavering faith in her God, her family''s love, and her country. She has not been left wanting. From the kinder gentler times when she entered this world, it has become complex in this instant information age of communication. Without the knowledge of what tomorrow may bring, one thing of which we can be certain. Mable was born a child of God, and she is destined for Glory. God loves her and we do too!
She is survived by one daughter, JoAnn H. Angelle and her husband, Richard of Maurice; nine grandchildren; twenty six great grandchildren; and thirty great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her spouse, Laurent Hebert; two daughters, Jessie Nell Rogers, and Delores Elaine Hebert; one grandchild, Clifford Green; three sisters, Eula Thibdodeaux, Edith Latour, and Delta Huddleston; and one brother, Raleigh Barras.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed Wednesday from 9:00 am until time of service.
A rosary will be recited at 12:00 pm on Wednesday in the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Stuart Angelle, Shane Angelle, Guy Thibodeaux, Lance Angelle, Nicholas Angelle, and Andr'' Breaux. Honorary pallbearers will be B.J. Segura and Troy Trahan.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of the arrangements.
