Emmitt Bourgeois Sr.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
A retired employee of Ethyl Corporation, he died April 8, 2011 at 3:30pm at the Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. He was born January 23, 1914 and lived to celebrate his 97th birthday with his family and friends. He was a native of Tunica and a longtime resident of Baton Rouge. With him at the time of his death were his son, daughterinlaw, and a friend of the family. He was a rolemodel for his son, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren and never failed to show them how a man should live his life. Before retiring, he worked for Ethyl Corporation for 40 years and in his spare time raised cattle, hogs and has a 30 acre vegetable farm. He was especially thankful for the help that he received from his little niece Gloria Ann McCoyFortenberry during her two week stay every summer. He continued to farm until the age of 90 and many of his neighbors and people who came from miles around will remember getting tomatoes and other vegetables from his garden and figs from his Fig Orchard on Emmitt Bourgeois Lane. One of the highlights of his life was the privilege that he had of working in the CCC Civilian Conservation Corps. initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create jobs for young men during the Great Depression of the early 1930s. Emmitt is survived by his son and daughterinlaw, Emmitt, Jr. and Cassie Bourgeois one sister, Shirley B. Leblanc one sisterinlaw, Joyce A. Bourgeois three grandchildren and their spouses, Cindy and Mike Abed, Sherry and Aaron Mullins, and Greg and Gaby Bourgeois two stepgrandchildren and their spouses, Michelle and Jerry Meek and Aaron and Kate Elgiar six greatgrandchildren, Chris, Matthew, Tanner, Dedon Braedon and Alaina Abded Vanessa Bourgeois and a soon to arrive 7th grandchild, Elizabeth Virginia Bourgeois nine step great grandchildren, Donnie Dedon and his wife Geri, Jerry Meek and his wife Katie, Madeline and Jessie Meek Katie, Kristen, Nathaniel and Hannah Mullins and Jackson Elgiar numerous nieces and nephews and greatnieces and greatnephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest James Bourgeois and his mother Olymp Ryan Bourgeois his beloved wife, Virginia McCoy Bourgeois, who he often said was perfect in every way six brothers, Percy Joseph, Ernest James, Roy Phillip, Julius C., Huey P. and Ivory G. Bourgeois three sisters, Bernice B. Ritter, Ruth B. Thomas, Maude B. Mallory and a grandsoninlaw, Eric Dedon. Emmitt will be remember as a hardworker, a great story teller, and a man with a sense of humor. His loved ones draw strength from the way he lived his life. He never complained, never spoke an unkind word to or about anyone, and he met all of lifes challenges with great courage. Cherished memories of a father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, brother, brotherinlaw, uncle and friend will live on in our hearts and his stories will be told for generations to come. Visiting will be at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, on Tuesday, April 12th from 5pm to 9pm with a Rosary at 7pm. Visiting will resume at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 15615 Jefferson Hwy, on Wednesday, April 13th from 12:30pm until a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30pm, conducted by Rev. Michael J. Collins and Rev. Msgr. Gerald F. Lefabvre. Interment will be in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. The Pallbearers will be Gerald Nolan, John Thomas, Marvin Cox, Aaron Mullins, Mike Abed, Aaron Elgair, Chris and Matthew Dedon. Honorary Pallbearers will be Greg Bourgeois, Lou Cutrer, and Roy Flip Bourgeois, Jr.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
59 pm

Service

Rosary

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
7 pm

Mass of Christian Burial

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
15615 Jefferson Hwy
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
1:30 pm

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816