Butte La Rose et Les Entourage

Bonjour!
Diana Savoy is a heroic Cajun woman! Diana took it upon herself, leaving no stones unturned, and did something others have thought of doing. Read this and let the light shine upon you. You can do it too.
Possibly this was a first for Catahoula and the idea can grow. When her mom’s parents, Anita and Alfred Latiolais, died, Diana was a younger woman. It’s customary for families to “buy” the family tombs in preparation for their parents deaths. Her family bought theirs in the closest cemetery in St. Martinville.
Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery in Catahoula came later. Years later, as Diana’s parents, Essie and Lucy Savoy, died they were buried in the same tombs in St. Martinville along with the grandparents. Another custom was to keep their family close to each other even after death. That was the intention.
But her mom, before her death, expressed her desire to be buried in Catahoula. But their shared tomb was still in St. Martinville. Now Lucy’s wish to be buried in Catahoula has come to pass. Thanks to Diana.
As the years came and went, Diana had it in her heart to bring her family home together to their roots and final resting place at Lady of the Lake. It took a while of planning, paperwork, footwork and expense. And that love for her family granting her mom’s precious wishes. She has brought her mom and dad and grandparents home to Catahoula where their family can know their spirits are closer by.
After all was said and done, a memorial and family gathering was held at the Lady of the Lake to celebrate their arrival home. Father Richard Fabre officiated the blessing of their tomb. A group of family and friends gathered. Cajun food was cooked for all.
It was so good listening to the family exchange little stories of their past, which are as much alive today as when they happened because these stories are still amusing and fun to hear. And the roots are all about Catahoula. The town is very small with a community who knows everything that happens to one another.
During the ceremony sun was shiny. I sang ole Cajun/Country songs of their time when they were full of life and laughter. Lucy loved my song “Ma Belle Catahoula” which I sang in French and English. The oldest relatives there to share were Gabriel “Tu Tu” Latiolais and Lena Frederick.
After the service the family and friends lingered around and reminisced the old times of Essie, Lucy, Anita and Freddie. Their town has lots of stories to tell. Even I remember their bourré card games in the afternoons. They’d serve coffee in small cups so strong to stand a spoon up in it.
I was on a run that brought me through Dyersburg, Tenn., one night many moons ago. The fuel stop where I stopped had a restaurant and a small club for people to dance while their little country band played music. I do not recall the musicians’ names but I do remember the leader was the son of Carl “Blue Suede Shoes” Perkins. Wow! No, he was not there.
Like a grand dame I walked up to the stage dressed in my blue company truck uniform and asked if I could come up and sing a song. They hesitated a few seconds and in a drawl said, “OK, what do ya wanna sing?” I said “Today I Started Loving You Again.” I was nervous shaking like a leaf. They invited me to sing more so I sang a Hank. C’est tes fun!
Amètie,

–Cousine Hélène
(337) 228-1714
helenboudreaux@uno.com