Rose Beverly Chew Butler Bourgeois

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Rose Beverly Chew Butler Bourgeois, 94, died peacefully at her home at Linden Plantation in Jeanerette on July 6, 2018, surrounded by her loving children. Maw Maw Rose, as she was dearly known by her many grandchildren, lived a complete and wonderful life.

Born March 10, 1924, in New Orleans to Samuel Lawrason Butler and Elizabeth Tarleton, Rose’s family roots were tied to the sugar industry as her father was a sugar chemist who began his career in the Republic of Cuba. Rose was raised in St. Francisville, living in the family home “Hillcroft.”  She graduated from Julius Freyhan High School and then went on to LSU where she joined Kappa Delta Sorority and was named a “Gumbo Beauty.”  Rose finished with a degree in home economics and chemistry.  She met the love of her life and father of their seven children St. Paul Bourgeois on a blind date, arranged by close friends Margie and Pratt Munson.

Rose and St. Paul Bourgeois III were married on September 2, 1945, while he was waiting orders to deploy with his unit with the Air Force division of the Army at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas. On this historical date, war was officially ended and they began their married life. Soon thereafter, they moved to Jeanerette, St. Paul’s hometown, to start their new lives together.

To know Rose was to know her warm heart and family devotion. She was a devout Catholic and longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she contributed generously of her time to the Adoration Chapel for Eucharistic prayer. She was a member of the “Sewing Club” which met for over 40 years and consisted of many of her close friends. These gatherings were very special as they offered delicious foods, personal sharing and fond memories. Rose was also a member of the Daughters of The American Revolution, “Entré Nous” as well as other social clubs and organizations in the area.   

Rose and Paul loved traveling and visited places in Canada, South and Central America, Europe and various parts of the United States. They also fostered many lifetime memories, spending summer times at Cypremort Point. The stories and adventures of these times bring fond and delightful memories to all and are shared throughout many generations.  

Rose with her infinite style and grace as a true southern lady will be missed by her family and friends.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Lawrason Butler and Elizabeth Tarleton; her husband St. Paul Bourgeois III; her sisters Elizabeth Tarleton Butler and Katharine Medora Butler Dougherty and husband, Robert Worden; and granddaughters Mary Elise Brashier and Nicole Elise Bourgeois. 

She is survived by her seven children St. Paul Bourgeois IV (Sharon Kozlowski) of Lafayette, Elizabeth Tarleton Bourgeois Sovine (Ronald) and Sidney Joseph Bourgeois, of Jeanerette, Mary Linden Bourgeois Brashier (Jim) of Biloxi, Mississippi, Samuel Butler Bourgeois (Carolyn McKowen) of Baton Rouge, Julie Minvielle Bourgeois Brashier (Mitchel) of St. Francisville and Katherine Ormond Bourgeois LaSalle (Thomas) of Lafayette; seventeen grandchildren St. Paul Bourgeois V (Stephannie Burton) of Memphis, Tennessee, Christopher James Bourgeois (Dianne Bohn) of Baton Rouge, Lauren Bourgeois Stone (William Jr.) of Atlanta, Georgia, Kristin Bourgeois Smith (Brian) of Baton Rouge, Emily Sovine Hathoot (Michael) of Fort Worth, Texas, Gregory Alexander Sovine of Midlothian, Texas, Sydney Denise Sovine of Brusly, Dewey Brashier Mason (Patrick) of Biloxi, Mississippi, James Eley Brashier (Courtney Tremmel), Linden Analise Brashier of New Orleans (fiancé Mathew Riggins) of Biloxi, Mississippi, Anna Katherine “Katie” Bourgeois of NewYork, New York, Samuel Butler Bourgeois II, James Carson Bourgeois (fiancé Hanley Westh Poché) and Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Bourgeois of Baton Rouge, Samuel Lloyd Brashier of St. Francisville, Thomas Rhodes LaSalle II and Ormond Butler LaSalle of Lafayette; eleven great-grandchildren Madelyn Rae Bourgeois, Sophie Grace Bourgeois, Ella Catherine Stone, Annemarie Kate Stone, Ava Jolie Stone, William Ronald Stone III, Zoey Elise Smith, Olivia Rose Smith, Carter James Smith, Joshua Tarleton Hathoot and Vivian Cheri Hathoot; nephews Dr. Robert Worden Daugherty (Nancy Carver) of Hertford, North Carolina and Dr. Thomas Butler Daugherty (late wife, Josie) of Houston, Texas; as well as many relatives and great friends.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Stephen Boudreaux for his excellent care of their mother over many years. And to her special friends and compassionate caregivers Rose Lee Jeanlewis, Shirley Bessard, Margery Vitatoe, Beatrice Joseph, LaMonica Darnell, Anne Mae McFarland, Jeanette Viator, Cynthia Muffoletto, Linda Austin, Antoilla Jeanlewis, Sylvia Ann Harris, Chance Skinner, Barbara Landry and The Reverend Father Jody Simoneaux. The family is eternally grateful. A special thanks to the staff of Hospice of Acadiana for their loving care of Rose in her final months.

Pallbearers are St Paul Bourgeois V, Christopher James Bourgeois, Jim Eley Brashier, Samuel Butler Bourgeois II, James Carson Bourgeois, Greg Alexander Sovine, Thomas Rhodes LaSalle II, Ormond Butler LaSalle and Samuel Lloyd Brashier.  

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Robert Worden Dougherty Jr., Dr. Thomas Butler Dougherty, Ivory Gibson, Wilton Gibson, Mark D. Patout, Peter W. Patout, Marion Langdon Bourgeois and Dr. Stephen A. Boudreaux. 

Funeral services will be held on July 13, 2018, at 11 am at a Mass of Christian burial in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Jeanerette, with interment in the St. John the Evangelist Cemetery. Reverend Jody Simoneaux will be the celebrant.  The family requests visitation at David’s Funeral Home in Jeanerette, beginning at 9 am Friday, July 13th, with a Rosary at 10 am.  

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Rose’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 6011, Washington D.C. 20090, Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200 Lafayette, LA 70503 or a charity of your choice.

You can sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org. 

David Funeral Home of Jeanerette, 400 Provost St. (337) 276-5151 is in charge of arrangements.