Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, in the Delhomme Funeral Home Chapel of the Flowers, for Louise Davis deValcourt, 91, who died at home on April 26, 2014. Entombment will follow at the Fountain Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Mrs. deValcourt was born in Many, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Louis Francis Davis and Leattie Eugenia Robinson Davis. While living in Many, she met the love of her life, Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, & during World War II, traveled on a lengthy train ride to Alameda, California to marry him. He returned home safely from the War, & together they raised 8 children. They were happily married for 48 years at the time of his death. They will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary together again in heaven on April 27, 2014.
She had many hobbies, including photography, sketching, writing, sewing beautiful clothes for herself & her children, cooking, and loving on babies. More information on her life can be found at www.findagrave.com.
She is survived by: her 5 daughters & sons-in-law, Dianna & Jonathan Brassette of Lake Charles, Janet & Salvador Bravo of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Kathy & Larry Troyanowski, Sharon & Alden Sonnier, and Evelyn & William Theriot, all from the Lafayette area; 3 sons & daughters-in-law, Stephen & Deb deValcourt of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Ken & Tina deValcourt, & Greg deValcourt, both from Lafayette; 13 grandchildren, & 14.5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, her sisters Joy Marie Davis Lafitte and Peggy Jean Davis Boswell, and her brothers John Andrew Davis and Louis Francis Davis.
Pallbearers will be six of her grandsons: Jaime Bravo, James Troyanowski, Alex Theriot, Ben Theriot, Richard Brassette, and Kevin Brassette.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Monday, April 28, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Visiting hours will resume on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 10:00 am until time of service.
Special heartfelt thanks go to her caretakers Marsha, Angela, Lou & especially to Sheral Iles, who was her loving & dedicated caretaker & friend for the past 6 years, who enabled her to continue to live and die at home peacefully. Thanks also to N.P. Lisa Tabor, for her treatment this past year, and to Heart of Hospice.
The family requests that donations be made to Heart of Hospice, 201 W. Vermilion Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501.
Personal condolences may be sent to the deValcourt family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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Hey Everyone,
I hope that life is treating you well and you are enjoying the wonderful weather that we have been having. I sure am and after being a batchelor for the past 6 weeks I am learning to enjoy the walks with the dogs. They sure like to smell and sniff and it slows me down to where I enjoy the chirping of the birds and the songs that the mockingbirds emit. Too bad we are all too busy to enjoy these anymore
This is a letter that mom had written to me prior to my going on the Emmaus walk. It is a letter to let people know how and what you felt about them.
A few discrepencies however, we did not have electric heaters back then and we had a big hall floor furnace as i think that Dianna probably has grille marks on her hands and knees from getting on the hot floor grille, maybe even Janetto. Dad did build a cage to go around it so the children wouldn't get burn't.
Mom stated that the original house was 4 bedroom and a bath. It was a 4 room house + bath and 2 rooms were bedrooms and the others were a living room and dining kitchen combo. Later the house was to become a 3 bedroom with the extra room that could be converted, served as a den area. That particular room was the old kitchen-dining. The former livingroom became my bedroom.
Mom also stated that new dining room and living room were never used but it was only the dining room that was not used. I remember I think that it was Gene Winberry that came by the house and helped me tune my Guitar and we did that sitting in the new living room.
I remember the burning of the sweet potatoes in front of the house. I must say that Dad was as cool as a cucumber when he had to confront the man who was one you wouldn't consider a gentleman as every other word out of his mouth was a cuss word. He was selling the sweet potatoes on the court house square at the time. Dad went over to him and told him who he was and that he needed to inspect the sweet potatoes. everything was cool until dad found the wevils in the potatoes and consfiscated them. He had the guy bring them out to the house and unload them on an old pine stump out front where we added a couple of old tires and burned them.
Everyone needs to sit down and write some little short notes about what we remember about each other and share them with each other.
I love you all
Stephen
PS I did this letter from Mom in the email and you should be able to copy and paste it into "Word" and save from there. I just wanted everyone to be able to open it with no trouble.
Sd
*********************
May 13, 2001
A letter from Louise Davis deValcourt to Herman S. deValcourt Jr. to him prior to going on an Emmaus Walk.
Dearest Stephen,
Once again you have lightened my heart with your phone calls. I love you all the more for it.
And….. to think it all started shortly after I graduated from high school in Many. Two women started a typing course and shorthand school. I enrolled in it and "Daddy" did too. He took typing at night after he got in from work. (I still have a sheet of paper with his first efforts on it, but don't know where it's tucked away).
He lived upstairs over our classroom where the N.Y.A boys he supervised also lived. These boys were supervised by your daddy and I believe they did construction work. N.Y.A was National Youth Administration. He drove a Ford furnished him by the N.Y.A. It was not for personal use, but he did take me on few dates. Since I was at the school in the daytime I had stayed until after 4:00 p.m. just to see him come in. That was before we dated. I was smitten.
A short time later he was transferred to a place near Alexandria .
Shortly thereafter Uncle Sam started drafting young men for the Army. He joined the Navy .He corresponded often. He was stationed at Alameda , Calif. I believe he was in San Diego prior to that.
A few short months passed and he encouraged me to join him so we could get married. I was so afraid to leave home and travel. By train I left Many and stayed overnight with Francis and Hazel in Beaumont , TX .
The next day they put men on a train from Beaumont to Los Angeles Calif. where Andrew was to meet me and put me on the right train to Oakland , Calif. It's a very long story_ _ _ . Since I hadn't slept at all from Beaumont to L.A. I kept falling asleep at the station. _ _ _ Long story_ _ Andrew finally found me in time for the remaining part of the trip. The panic didn't quite end there, but the worst was over. We did connect.
We were married at the naval Air Station Chapel in Alameda . Friends of your daddy, J.T. and Anna Keaton helped me. Daddy had rented a bedroom next to their apartment. I had use of the downstairs kitchen if I wanted to. We married shortly thereafter.
Then he was to "ship out" from Alameda so I had to go home to Many. Close to my heart I was carrying a part of him _ __ my precious little Stephen.
The trip home was long.
Shortly after, he called me. They weren't shipping out yet so he wanted me to go back, but have my doctor OK it. The doctor said "No".
I had to draw water from the well to wash diapers in a galvanized wash tub and water in a second tub for the rinse water. Your baby bottles had to be sterilized on the wood stove in a sterilizer which allowed the bottles to be put upside down in round "holes" in the special insert and steamed.
Back tracking, all clothes were line dried. In rain or in sun they got dried, but on rainy days a line was strung up in the front bedroom (still at Mother's) and dried by the warmth of the old wood heater. Gas (butane) heater came later.
When your daddy was finally back after the war ended, he had Clayton Miller (from Florien I believe) build us a 4 bedroom house with bath. We had electric heaters_ _ _ maybe radiant I believe.
In later years we added on to the house and believe that it was 2600 sq. ft. Daddy had a good garden every year, and chickens. The new living room and dining rooms were never used.
I forgot to tell you your daddy was an entomologist. As such he was compelled to rid the parish of the sweet potato weevil. He had one man burn a load of sweet potatoes in front of our house. They didn't bootleg them to another town.
Then Mr. Riley called your daddy and wanted him to come to Lafayette and that's where we moved. You remember the move. It was a good move for all of us. We had a good house, plenty of fruits and vegetables. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and school were within walking distance. The University of Southwestern Louisiana was also a plus. Our children had a good education.
When your daddy retired we moved to this house on the Southwest side of Lafayette . It had been bought a number of years earlier and we kept it rented until we moved into it.
Now this house has become my haven. I didn't think then that "daddy" would be called to a special home where all of us hope to reunite someday.
Each of my 8 children brings me a sense of being loved. God blessed me with the best!!!
You are a special jewel. I enjoy our talks whether on the phone or across the table early in the morning.
I'll always love you, my first born. Mama
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Tyler deValcourt
Ms. McGrath
American History
May 15, 2000
1) Where were you when you heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
- I was listening to music on my battery radio. Everything went off the air except the news of the bombardment. There was a lot of anxiety since many husbands and sons would soon have to be drafted into the army.
2) What was the United States' entrance into the war like for you?
- My sweetheart had to leave. I was very sad. Papa had to go to training in Alameda, CA. Papa, after weeks there, called me and proposed. I then took a train to California. On that train were several men, and no women. When I fell asleep, one of the men tried to assault me and was beaten down by another. After he sobered up, he was very kind to me. He even carried my luggage.
3) What were Papa's wartime responsibilities?
- Papa became the radioman on the PBM airplane. On the way to Hawaii, there was engine trouble. They had to throw many items overboard and even the Irishman on the plane had to get rid of his whiskey. Papa then knew the problem was very serious. They then had to land the plane short of Hawaii. During the war however, he did shoot some of the guns on the aircraft, and even took the rudders off many Japanese planes. Note: I believe during training dad did shoot the tail of his plane. A safety feature on the airplane was supposed to be in place to prevent this from happening but apparently it wasn't working. Greg
4) What was your everyday life like during the war?
- Well, shortly after your grandpa left, I realized I was pregnant with your Uncle Stephen, so when he was born, I mainly had to take care of him. There were many tanks which came through the streets. They were very noisy. Many local civilians worked at nearby Fort Polk. It was a wooded area, perfect for the military to practice their maneuvers.
5) What items were scarce, in short supply, or rationed?
- Gasoline and sugar were mainly rationed. Food stamps were issued so that there would be enough to go around. I worked at the Agricultural Extension Service which helped people start victory gardens so that they may produce some of their own crops. Like I said, there was very limited buying.
6) What can you tell me about politics during the 1940's?
- Franklin Roosevelt was President during most of the war. When he died Harry Truman took over. He was the one who decided to drop the two atomic bombs on Japan. After the war, Truman was re-elected over Dewey, this was a surprise.
7) Was anyone killed who was really close to you?
- During World War II, two of my cousins were killed. They were both marines and were brought back and buried. Quite a few young men from Many were killed in the war. I found that somewhat strange since it was such a small town. Note: Two of her first cousins were killed during the war, Felix Buvens, and Walter Earl Hubley. Greg
8) What did you think about the holocaust?
- It was horrible to hear such bad news. We are so lucky that we didn't have to go through those kinds of hardships. You know, I feel that it was always the intention of the United States that when we had to fight a war, to fight it away from this country.
9) What were Papa's homecomings like to you?
- Once while on leave, he decided to take a long taxi ride instead of a bus. This way, he didn't have to wait to see me. When he arrived, he and I were hugging and kissing on the front porch while the taxi driver sat and watched. He soon left though… after Papa got mad.
10) What was life like for you after the war?
- Everything felt so peaceful. I was so glad that he came home safely. Now, I felt that we could resume where we left off. Papa really cared for me and took especially good care of the other seven children we had.
Biography
Full Name: Mary Louise deValcourt
Place of Birth: Many, Louisiana. Sabine Parish
Date of Birth: December 27, 1922
Relation to Author: Paternal Grandmother
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Louise Davis de Valcourt was born December 27, 1922 near the city of Many, La. When she was 3 years of age she moved to a farm in the country (Davis Place). When she was eight years old her father died (December 1931). In February of 1932 they moved to the house on 505 East Georgia Street in Many La. Mama attended St. John's Academy in her early years and her first year at Many High School was the 10th grade. Mama also made a few soap carvings and sold them as a teenager. Mama belonged to the Aunt Jane's Letter Club and received her button around September 23, 1937. The young people's paper was a section of the newspaper that was published in the Times Picayune Publishing Company of New Orleans La. "Sister" M. Stanislaus sent mama a letter explaining the details of her scholarship. The Scholarship was to attend St. Vincent's College and Academy in Shreveport, La., and the letter was dated July 28, 1940. Mama was a graduate of Many High School, class of 39, and a graduate of Many Business School and at the time of her marriage she had been employed by the Agricultural Extension Service in Sabine Parish for there years. Dad was a graduate of Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Lafayette, La., and was employed as supervisor of the National Youth Administration in Sabine Parish during the latter part of 1940 and the early part of 1941. For the past two and a half years he has been serving in the United States Navy. The happy couple are at home at 4145 Montgomery Street Oakland, CA.
Source: Mama's scrap book, Letter from Sister M. Stanislaus 7/28/40, mg anon.
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Miss Mary Louise
Davis Weds Navy Man
Of interest to their many
friends throughout this section
is the wedding of Miss Mary
Louise Davis, attractive daugh-
ter of Mrs. Louis F. Davis of
Many, to Herman Stephenson
de Valcourt, ARM 3/C, United
States navy, son of Judge and
Mrs. William de Valcourt of
Sunset, which was solemnized
Thursday afternoon, April 27,
at 4 o'clock in the chapel of
the naval air station, Alameda,
Calif., Chaplain J. J. Sheeby
officiating at the impressive
ceremony. Musician Pasmore
Sp. (2U) 1/C, an artist in his
own right, and a well known
teacher, rendered a program
of pre-nuptial music, includ-
ing the ever-beautiful "Ave
Marie" and "At Dawning.
Two lovely wedding marches,
one of Wagner, the other by
Mendelsohn, marked the be-
ginning and close of the cer-
emony. Miss Hortense E. Scott
of Alameda, Calif., was maid
of honor and the bride's only
attendant. E. M. Haydel. ARM
2/C of New Orleans was the
bridegroom's best man. The
bride was lovely in a light
blue wool crepe suit dress
with navy blue accessories.
Mrs. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Many high school, class
of '39, a graduate of Many
Business school and has been
employed for the past three
years by the agricultural ex-
tension service in Sabine par-
ish. Mr. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Southwestern Louis-
iana institute of Lafayette and
was employed as supervisor
of the National Youth admin-
istration in Sabine parish dur-
ing the latter part of 1940 and
early part of 1941. For the
past two and a half years he
has been serving in the United
States navy.
The happy couple are at
home at ?4146? Montgomery
street, Oakland, Calif.
************************************************************
$ Money Makers $
Of Our Readers
When I first carved a small
statuette of a girl out of soap, I
did it for practice, but it finally
turned out to be a money-making
idea.
This tiny four-inch statuette
stood on a whatnot in our living
room several days before a visitor
inquired about it. The statue ap-
pealed to him so he offered to
give me 15 cents for it, leaving
approximately 11 cents profit.
this was enough to buy two large
bars of soap from which to carve
four more girls to be sold at 15
cents and more. Profit? Yes, a lit-
tle.
Anyone interested in carving
may find quite a bit of enjoy-
ment in it and at the same time
make a few cents profit. And all
you need is soap and a sharp
pointed knife to carve away to a
money-making path.
LOUISE DAVIS, 16,
Many, La.
Times-Picayune
************************************************************
MOTHERS ARE
FIRST IN CLUB
MAIL TODAY
Dearest Aunt Jane -- Again
Mothers's Day comes to remind us
of the honor and tribute being
paid to mothers all over the
world. On this great day, we also
show our love by a small gift or
some other token of affection.
And really it's fun to buy a lit-
tle gift for the person you love,
isn't it?
Aunt Jane, when I stop to think
I find that I am one of the luck-
iest girls in the whole world. Why
there are just thousands of girls
and boys my age who have never
known what it is to have a moth-
er. Their mothers may be in a
better world but the life of these
girls and boys is not as carefree
and happy as mine. Therefore I
thank God from the bottom of my
heart for one of the best mothers
in the world.
I think we owe our parents the
deepest respect of which we are
capable. The three most impor-
tant ingredients of this respect
are honor, love and obedience. I
think you and the cousins will
agree with me.
LOUISE DAVIS
Many, La.
Such a letter as yours, Louise,
is a joy to receive. It presents
one of the loveliest and one of
the most to be desired things in
the world--happy home life. All
of us know of unfortunate homes
in which friction tears members
of families apart. Sometimes chil-
dren are headstrong and loathe to
listen to their parents; sometimes
parents are overbearing and un-
necessarily demanding of their
children. It is always good to
hear from a girl or boy who feels
as you do, because such an ex-
pression could only come from a
home wherein the members are
considerate of each other.
THE TIMES-PICAYUNE NEW ORLEANS STATES,
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1939, SECTION TWO
PAGE TWELVE, Column 1, or Page 40.
------------------------------------------------------------
LIKES PUBLIC SCHOOL
Dearest Relatives-Probably all
of you had forgotten me until
this moment because I haven't
written in quite a while, but
maybe I can make up for my neg-
ligence by this letter.
This year I am going to a pub-
lic school for the first time in my
life, and it is really new to me.
For a while I felt lost, but you
can't stay around these friendly
girls unless you join in the con-
versation, too. I value the friend-
ship of each and every girl and
boy who accepted me as a friend
at first.
Although I am in the 10th
grade, I take "history of the
American people," an 11th grade
subject. The other subjects I take
are home economics second year
algebra, 10th English and physic-
cal education. My teachers are
just grand, every one of them. Mr.
Fraser, who teaches 11th grade
history, explains everything so
well that we should make good
grades at the end of six weeks
if we study well. Mrs. May, my
home economics teacher, is a very
nice and kind lady. Mr. Leopold,
algebra teacher, is very good at
explaining difficult problems.
Miss Hill, my nice English teach-
er, is excellent at anything in Eng-
lish. And last, but not least is
Mrs. Leopold, a friendly physical
education teacher, who keeps us
from becoming lazy by having
us play active games. With all of
these nice teachers, I should be
able to make good grades. Even
though I like some subjects bet-
ter than others I like all my
teachers.
Maybe I had better end this
chatter by saying that the public
school has really proved delight-
ful. I hope I shall continue to
like it as well as I do now.
LOUISE DAVIS,
15, Many, La.
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GIVES LIFE STORY
Dear Relatives-My topic for this
letter is an unusual one as I have
not read another like it in the
Y.P.P. The topic is the story of my
life.
I was born on December 27, 1922,
in the city of Many and when I was
3 years of age we moved to a farm
in the country. I loved everything
about farm life and you can be sure
that I got my share of peaches and
popcorn.
In December, 1931, when I was 8
years old, my father died. That
Christmas proved to be a sad one
for us but all of the neighbors were
as kind and sympathetic as could
be. In February of 1932 we moved to
our present home. I love our home
now and I loved our old home on the
farm where Grandmother lives now.
We are all happy in our present
home and I hope we shall continue
to be just as happy.
But there is one thing that our
home lacks-a father. Every one of
you who have two parents should be
very kind to both your mother and
father as you may not know how
much you love them or would miss
them until they are gone.
Please don't think that I think any
of you are unkind to your parents.
Goodness, I hope not!
MARY LOUISE DAVIS, 15,
Many, La.
You have more than one good idea
in your letter, Mary. Aunt Jane likes
to receive autobiographies from
cousins periodically. And children
can't be cautioned too often about
being considerate in every way of
their parents.
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Prize
Letter
'Greatest Gift"
Dear Aunt Jane-My mother is
the greatest gift I have received
from God and kept so long. You
will never know how much I ap-
preciate her because I really can't
write it down as I would like to.
We usually realize what she
means to us when she is sick.
Then memories begin to come
into our thoughts and we say,
"What if I should lose her?" At
that moment we think of the
many nights she lay awake gently
soothing our feverish brows. This
is what she has done for us, but
there are countless things that we
don't think of.
Our hearts and minds are
formed by careful teachings and
advice of our mothers. Along this
path our future lives will travel
if we do our share. The first
foundation is put down by our
mothers and we must work for
the others to attain success.
Would it not be worth it one day
for our mothers to say: "That's
my girl, I'm proud of you?" I
think it would.
LOUISE DAVIS,
Age 15, Many, La.
I'm glad you appreciate your
mother. One could never repay
her for all of her sacrifices and
love but one should try to tell her
of the gratitude felt.
Times-Picayune
May 8, 1938
************************************************************
Mama drew up the house plans for their first house in Many, La.
Quotes that she used: I spent the best years of my life in the arms of another woman, the arms of my mother.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
Well Hector Smith.
Mama also did a good characterization of Beavis and Butt Head, to entertain some of us.
Mama and dad liked watching Lawrence Welk, All in the Family, and mama also enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars etc.
As a young child mama would eat dirt out in the yard, her mother sprinkled some pepper on her favorite dirt eating spot to discourage this.
She also had heat stroke or heat exhaustion at one time and they had to put her in the bath tub with some ice?
Mama loved her Zucchini bread, she ALWAYS shared with the family but as she got older she would hide her a stash of this if one of her daughters brought some by. I even found some in the head board of her bed, and she never took food into the bedroom.
Note: The de Valcourt family left Many, La and came down to Lafayette before Dec. 19, 1957. Mama had received a letter from a lady in Many stating that she had missed telling mama good bye.
Mrs. deValcourt was born in Many, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Louis Francis Davis and Leattie Eugenia Robinson Davis. While living in Many, she met the love of her life, Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, & during World War II, traveled on a lengthy train ride to Alameda, California to marry him. He returned home safely from the War, & together they raised 8 children. They were happily married for 48 years at the time of his death. They will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary together again in heaven on April 27, 2014.
She had many hobbies, including photography, sketching, writing, sewing beautiful clothes for herself & her children, cooking, and loving on babies. More information on her life can be found at www.findagrave.com.
She is survived by: her 5 daughters & sons-in-law, Dianna & Jonathan Brassette of Lake Charles, Janet & Salvador Bravo of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Kathy & Larry Troyanowski, Sharon & Alden Sonnier, and Evelyn & William Theriot, all from the Lafayette area; 3 sons & daughters-in-law, Stephen & Deb deValcourt of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Ken & Tina deValcourt, & Greg deValcourt, both from Lafayette; 13 grandchildren, & 14.5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, her sisters Joy Marie Davis Lafitte and Peggy Jean Davis Boswell, and her brothers John Andrew Davis and Louis Francis Davis.
Pallbearers will be six of her grandsons: Jaime Bravo, James Troyanowski, Alex Theriot, Ben Theriot, Richard Brassette, and Kevin Brassette.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Monday, April 28, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Visiting hours will resume on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 10:00 am until time of service.
Special heartfelt thanks go to her caretakers Marsha, Angela, Lou & especially to Sheral Iles, who was her loving & dedicated caretaker & friend for the past 6 years, who enabled her to continue to live and die at home peacefully. Thanks also to N.P. Lisa Tabor, for her treatment this past year, and to Heart of Hospice.
The family requests that donations be made to Heart of Hospice, 201 W. Vermilion Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501.
Personal condolences may be sent to the deValcourt family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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Hey Everyone,
I hope that life is treating you well and you are enjoying the wonderful weather that we have been having. I sure am and after being a batchelor for the past 6 weeks I am learning to enjoy the walks with the dogs. They sure like to smell and sniff and it slows me down to where I enjoy the chirping of the birds and the songs that the mockingbirds emit. Too bad we are all too busy to enjoy these anymore
This is a letter that mom had written to me prior to my going on the Emmaus walk. It is a letter to let people know how and what you felt about them.
A few discrepencies however, we did not have electric heaters back then and we had a big hall floor furnace as i think that Dianna probably has grille marks on her hands and knees from getting on the hot floor grille, maybe even Janetto. Dad did build a cage to go around it so the children wouldn't get burn't.
Mom stated that the original house was 4 bedroom and a bath. It was a 4 room house + bath and 2 rooms were bedrooms and the others were a living room and dining kitchen combo. Later the house was to become a 3 bedroom with the extra room that could be converted, served as a den area. That particular room was the old kitchen-dining. The former livingroom became my bedroom.
Mom also stated that new dining room and living room were never used but it was only the dining room that was not used. I remember I think that it was Gene Winberry that came by the house and helped me tune my Guitar and we did that sitting in the new living room.
I remember the burning of the sweet potatoes in front of the house. I must say that Dad was as cool as a cucumber when he had to confront the man who was one you wouldn't consider a gentleman as every other word out of his mouth was a cuss word. He was selling the sweet potatoes on the court house square at the time. Dad went over to him and told him who he was and that he needed to inspect the sweet potatoes. everything was cool until dad found the wevils in the potatoes and consfiscated them. He had the guy bring them out to the house and unload them on an old pine stump out front where we added a couple of old tires and burned them.
Everyone needs to sit down and write some little short notes about what we remember about each other and share them with each other.
I love you all
Stephen
PS I did this letter from Mom in the email and you should be able to copy and paste it into "Word" and save from there. I just wanted everyone to be able to open it with no trouble.
Sd
*********************
May 13, 2001
A letter from Louise Davis deValcourt to Herman S. deValcourt Jr. to him prior to going on an Emmaus Walk.
Dearest Stephen,
Once again you have lightened my heart with your phone calls. I love you all the more for it.
And….. to think it all started shortly after I graduated from high school in Many. Two women started a typing course and shorthand school. I enrolled in it and "Daddy" did too. He took typing at night after he got in from work. (I still have a sheet of paper with his first efforts on it, but don't know where it's tucked away).
He lived upstairs over our classroom where the N.Y.A boys he supervised also lived. These boys were supervised by your daddy and I believe they did construction work. N.Y.A was National Youth Administration. He drove a Ford furnished him by the N.Y.A. It was not for personal use, but he did take me on few dates. Since I was at the school in the daytime I had stayed until after 4:00 p.m. just to see him come in. That was before we dated. I was smitten.
A short time later he was transferred to a place near Alexandria .
Shortly thereafter Uncle Sam started drafting young men for the Army. He joined the Navy .He corresponded often. He was stationed at Alameda , Calif. I believe he was in San Diego prior to that.
A few short months passed and he encouraged me to join him so we could get married. I was so afraid to leave home and travel. By train I left Many and stayed overnight with Francis and Hazel in Beaumont , TX .
The next day they put men on a train from Beaumont to Los Angeles Calif. where Andrew was to meet me and put me on the right train to Oakland , Calif. It's a very long story_ _ _ . Since I hadn't slept at all from Beaumont to L.A. I kept falling asleep at the station. _ _ _ Long story_ _ Andrew finally found me in time for the remaining part of the trip. The panic didn't quite end there, but the worst was over. We did connect.
We were married at the naval Air Station Chapel in Alameda . Friends of your daddy, J.T. and Anna Keaton helped me. Daddy had rented a bedroom next to their apartment. I had use of the downstairs kitchen if I wanted to. We married shortly thereafter.
Then he was to "ship out" from Alameda so I had to go home to Many. Close to my heart I was carrying a part of him _ __ my precious little Stephen.
The trip home was long.
Shortly after, he called me. They weren't shipping out yet so he wanted me to go back, but have my doctor OK it. The doctor said "No".
I had to draw water from the well to wash diapers in a galvanized wash tub and water in a second tub for the rinse water. Your baby bottles had to be sterilized on the wood stove in a sterilizer which allowed the bottles to be put upside down in round "holes" in the special insert and steamed.
Back tracking, all clothes were line dried. In rain or in sun they got dried, but on rainy days a line was strung up in the front bedroom (still at Mother's) and dried by the warmth of the old wood heater. Gas (butane) heater came later.
When your daddy was finally back after the war ended, he had Clayton Miller (from Florien I believe) build us a 4 bedroom house with bath. We had electric heaters_ _ _ maybe radiant I believe.
In later years we added on to the house and believe that it was 2600 sq. ft. Daddy had a good garden every year, and chickens. The new living room and dining rooms were never used.
I forgot to tell you your daddy was an entomologist. As such he was compelled to rid the parish of the sweet potato weevil. He had one man burn a load of sweet potatoes in front of our house. They didn't bootleg them to another town.
Then Mr. Riley called your daddy and wanted him to come to Lafayette and that's where we moved. You remember the move. It was a good move for all of us. We had a good house, plenty of fruits and vegetables. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and school were within walking distance. The University of Southwestern Louisiana was also a plus. Our children had a good education.
When your daddy retired we moved to this house on the Southwest side of Lafayette . It had been bought a number of years earlier and we kept it rented until we moved into it.
Now this house has become my haven. I didn't think then that "daddy" would be called to a special home where all of us hope to reunite someday.
Each of my 8 children brings me a sense of being loved. God blessed me with the best!!!
You are a special jewel. I enjoy our talks whether on the phone or across the table early in the morning.
I'll always love you, my first born. Mama
************************************************************************************************************************
Tyler deValcourt
Ms. McGrath
American History
May 15, 2000
1) Where were you when you heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
- I was listening to music on my battery radio. Everything went off the air except the news of the bombardment. There was a lot of anxiety since many husbands and sons would soon have to be drafted into the army.
2) What was the United States' entrance into the war like for you?
- My sweetheart had to leave. I was very sad. Papa had to go to training in Alameda, CA. Papa, after weeks there, called me and proposed. I then took a train to California. On that train were several men, and no women. When I fell asleep, one of the men tried to assault me and was beaten down by another. After he sobered up, he was very kind to me. He even carried my luggage.
3) What were Papa's wartime responsibilities?
- Papa became the radioman on the PBM airplane. On the way to Hawaii, there was engine trouble. They had to throw many items overboard and even the Irishman on the plane had to get rid of his whiskey. Papa then knew the problem was very serious. They then had to land the plane short of Hawaii. During the war however, he did shoot some of the guns on the aircraft, and even took the rudders off many Japanese planes. Note: I believe during training dad did shoot the tail of his plane. A safety feature on the airplane was supposed to be in place to prevent this from happening but apparently it wasn't working. Greg
4) What was your everyday life like during the war?
- Well, shortly after your grandpa left, I realized I was pregnant with your Uncle Stephen, so when he was born, I mainly had to take care of him. There were many tanks which came through the streets. They were very noisy. Many local civilians worked at nearby Fort Polk. It was a wooded area, perfect for the military to practice their maneuvers.
5) What items were scarce, in short supply, or rationed?
- Gasoline and sugar were mainly rationed. Food stamps were issued so that there would be enough to go around. I worked at the Agricultural Extension Service which helped people start victory gardens so that they may produce some of their own crops. Like I said, there was very limited buying.
6) What can you tell me about politics during the 1940's?
- Franklin Roosevelt was President during most of the war. When he died Harry Truman took over. He was the one who decided to drop the two atomic bombs on Japan. After the war, Truman was re-elected over Dewey, this was a surprise.
7) Was anyone killed who was really close to you?
- During World War II, two of my cousins were killed. They were both marines and were brought back and buried. Quite a few young men from Many were killed in the war. I found that somewhat strange since it was such a small town. Note: Two of her first cousins were killed during the war, Felix Buvens, and Walter Earl Hubley. Greg
8) What did you think about the holocaust?
- It was horrible to hear such bad news. We are so lucky that we didn't have to go through those kinds of hardships. You know, I feel that it was always the intention of the United States that when we had to fight a war, to fight it away from this country.
9) What were Papa's homecomings like to you?
- Once while on leave, he decided to take a long taxi ride instead of a bus. This way, he didn't have to wait to see me. When he arrived, he and I were hugging and kissing on the front porch while the taxi driver sat and watched. He soon left though… after Papa got mad.
10) What was life like for you after the war?
- Everything felt so peaceful. I was so glad that he came home safely. Now, I felt that we could resume where we left off. Papa really cared for me and took especially good care of the other seven children we had.
Biography
Full Name: Mary Louise deValcourt
Place of Birth: Many, Louisiana. Sabine Parish
Date of Birth: December 27, 1922
Relation to Author: Paternal Grandmother
************************************************************************************************************************
Louise Davis de Valcourt was born December 27, 1922 near the city of Many, La. When she was 3 years of age she moved to a farm in the country (Davis Place). When she was eight years old her father died (December 1931). In February of 1932 they moved to the house on 505 East Georgia Street in Many La. Mama attended St. John's Academy in her early years and her first year at Many High School was the 10th grade. Mama also made a few soap carvings and sold them as a teenager. Mama belonged to the Aunt Jane's Letter Club and received her button around September 23, 1937. The young people's paper was a section of the newspaper that was published in the Times Picayune Publishing Company of New Orleans La. "Sister" M. Stanislaus sent mama a letter explaining the details of her scholarship. The Scholarship was to attend St. Vincent's College and Academy in Shreveport, La., and the letter was dated July 28, 1940. Mama was a graduate of Many High School, class of 39, and a graduate of Many Business School and at the time of her marriage she had been employed by the Agricultural Extension Service in Sabine Parish for there years. Dad was a graduate of Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Lafayette, La., and was employed as supervisor of the National Youth Administration in Sabine Parish during the latter part of 1940 and the early part of 1941. For the past two and a half years he has been serving in the United States Navy. The happy couple are at home at 4145 Montgomery Street Oakland, CA.
Source: Mama's scrap book, Letter from Sister M. Stanislaus 7/28/40, mg anon.
************************************************************
************************************************************
Miss Mary Louise
Davis Weds Navy Man
Of interest to their many
friends throughout this section
is the wedding of Miss Mary
Louise Davis, attractive daugh-
ter of Mrs. Louis F. Davis of
Many, to Herman Stephenson
de Valcourt, ARM 3/C, United
States navy, son of Judge and
Mrs. William de Valcourt of
Sunset, which was solemnized
Thursday afternoon, April 27,
at 4 o'clock in the chapel of
the naval air station, Alameda,
Calif., Chaplain J. J. Sheeby
officiating at the impressive
ceremony. Musician Pasmore
Sp. (2U) 1/C, an artist in his
own right, and a well known
teacher, rendered a program
of pre-nuptial music, includ-
ing the ever-beautiful "Ave
Marie" and "At Dawning.
Two lovely wedding marches,
one of Wagner, the other by
Mendelsohn, marked the be-
ginning and close of the cer-
emony. Miss Hortense E. Scott
of Alameda, Calif., was maid
of honor and the bride's only
attendant. E. M. Haydel. ARM
2/C of New Orleans was the
bridegroom's best man. The
bride was lovely in a light
blue wool crepe suit dress
with navy blue accessories.
Mrs. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Many high school, class
of '39, a graduate of Many
Business school and has been
employed for the past three
years by the agricultural ex-
tension service in Sabine par-
ish. Mr. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Southwestern Louis-
iana institute of Lafayette and
was employed as supervisor
of the National Youth admin-
istration in Sabine parish dur-
ing the latter part of 1940 and
early part of 1941. For the
past two and a half years he
has been serving in the United
States navy.
The happy couple are at
home at ?4146? Montgomery
street, Oakland, Calif.
************************************************************
$ Money Makers $
Of Our Readers
When I first carved a small
statuette of a girl out of soap, I
did it for practice, but it finally
turned out to be a money-making
idea.
This tiny four-inch statuette
stood on a whatnot in our living
room several days before a visitor
inquired about it. The statue ap-
pealed to him so he offered to
give me 15 cents for it, leaving
approximately 11 cents profit.
this was enough to buy two large
bars of soap from which to carve
four more girls to be sold at 15
cents and more. Profit? Yes, a lit-
tle.
Anyone interested in carving
may find quite a bit of enjoy-
ment in it and at the same time
make a few cents profit. And all
you need is soap and a sharp
pointed knife to carve away to a
money-making path.
LOUISE DAVIS, 16,
Many, La.
Times-Picayune
************************************************************
MOTHERS ARE
FIRST IN CLUB
MAIL TODAY
Dearest Aunt Jane -- Again
Mothers's Day comes to remind us
of the honor and tribute being
paid to mothers all over the
world. On this great day, we also
show our love by a small gift or
some other token of affection.
And really it's fun to buy a lit-
tle gift for the person you love,
isn't it?
Aunt Jane, when I stop to think
I find that I am one of the luck-
iest girls in the whole world. Why
there are just thousands of girls
and boys my age who have never
known what it is to have a moth-
er. Their mothers may be in a
better world but the life of these
girls and boys is not as carefree
and happy as mine. Therefore I
thank God from the bottom of my
heart for one of the best mothers
in the world.
I think we owe our parents the
deepest respect of which we are
capable. The three most impor-
tant ingredients of this respect
are honor, love and obedience. I
think you and the cousins will
agree with me.
LOUISE DAVIS
Many, La.
Such a letter as yours, Louise,
is a joy to receive. It presents
one of the loveliest and one of
the most to be desired things in
the world--happy home life. All
of us know of unfortunate homes
in which friction tears members
of families apart. Sometimes chil-
dren are headstrong and loathe to
listen to their parents; sometimes
parents are overbearing and un-
necessarily demanding of their
children. It is always good to
hear from a girl or boy who feels
as you do, because such an ex-
pression could only come from a
home wherein the members are
considerate of each other.
THE TIMES-PICAYUNE NEW ORLEANS STATES,
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1939, SECTION TWO
PAGE TWELVE, Column 1, or Page 40.
------------------------------------------------------------
LIKES PUBLIC SCHOOL
Dearest Relatives-Probably all
of you had forgotten me until
this moment because I haven't
written in quite a while, but
maybe I can make up for my neg-
ligence by this letter.
This year I am going to a pub-
lic school for the first time in my
life, and it is really new to me.
For a while I felt lost, but you
can't stay around these friendly
girls unless you join in the con-
versation, too. I value the friend-
ship of each and every girl and
boy who accepted me as a friend
at first.
Although I am in the 10th
grade, I take "history of the
American people," an 11th grade
subject. The other subjects I take
are home economics second year
algebra, 10th English and physic-
cal education. My teachers are
just grand, every one of them. Mr.
Fraser, who teaches 11th grade
history, explains everything so
well that we should make good
grades at the end of six weeks
if we study well. Mrs. May, my
home economics teacher, is a very
nice and kind lady. Mr. Leopold,
algebra teacher, is very good at
explaining difficult problems.
Miss Hill, my nice English teach-
er, is excellent at anything in Eng-
lish. And last, but not least is
Mrs. Leopold, a friendly physical
education teacher, who keeps us
from becoming lazy by having
us play active games. With all of
these nice teachers, I should be
able to make good grades. Even
though I like some subjects bet-
ter than others I like all my
teachers.
Maybe I had better end this
chatter by saying that the public
school has really proved delight-
ful. I hope I shall continue to
like it as well as I do now.
LOUISE DAVIS,
15, Many, La.
************************************************************************************************************************
GIVES LIFE STORY
Dear Relatives-My topic for this
letter is an unusual one as I have
not read another like it in the
Y.P.P. The topic is the story of my
life.
I was born on December 27, 1922,
in the city of Many and when I was
3 years of age we moved to a farm
in the country. I loved everything
about farm life and you can be sure
that I got my share of peaches and
popcorn.
In December, 1931, when I was 8
years old, my father died. That
Christmas proved to be a sad one
for us but all of the neighbors were
as kind and sympathetic as could
be. In February of 1932 we moved to
our present home. I love our home
now and I loved our old home on the
farm where Grandmother lives now.
We are all happy in our present
home and I hope we shall continue
to be just as happy.
But there is one thing that our
home lacks-a father. Every one of
you who have two parents should be
very kind to both your mother and
father as you may not know how
much you love them or would miss
them until they are gone.
Please don't think that I think any
of you are unkind to your parents.
Goodness, I hope not!
MARY LOUISE DAVIS, 15,
Many, La.
You have more than one good idea
in your letter, Mary. Aunt Jane likes
to receive autobiographies from
cousins periodically. And children
can't be cautioned too often about
being considerate in every way of
their parents.
************************************************************************************************************************
Prize
Letter
'Greatest Gift"
Dear Aunt Jane-My mother is
the greatest gift I have received
from God and kept so long. You
will never know how much I ap-
preciate her because I really can't
write it down as I would like to.
We usually realize what she
means to us when she is sick.
Then memories begin to come
into our thoughts and we say,
"What if I should lose her?" At
that moment we think of the
many nights she lay awake gently
soothing our feverish brows. This
is what she has done for us, but
there are countless things that we
don't think of.
Our hearts and minds are
formed by careful teachings and
advice of our mothers. Along this
path our future lives will travel
if we do our share. The first
foundation is put down by our
mothers and we must work for
the others to attain success.
Would it not be worth it one day
for our mothers to say: "That's
my girl, I'm proud of you?" I
think it would.
LOUISE DAVIS,
Age 15, Many, La.
I'm glad you appreciate your
mother. One could never repay
her for all of her sacrifices and
love but one should try to tell her
of the gratitude felt.
Times-Picayune
May 8, 1938
************************************************************
Mama drew up the house plans for their first house in Many, La.
Quotes that she used: I spent the best years of my life in the arms of another woman, the arms of my mother.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
Well Hector Smith.
Mama also did a good characterization of Beavis and Butt Head, to entertain some of us.
Mama and dad liked watching Lawrence Welk, All in the Family, and mama also enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars etc.
As a young child mama would eat dirt out in the yard, her mother sprinkled some pepper on her favorite dirt eating spot to discourage this.
She also had heat stroke or heat exhaustion at one time and they had to put her in the bath tub with some ice?
Mama loved her Zucchini bread, she ALWAYS shared with the family but as she got older she would hide her a stash of this if one of her daughters brought some by. I even found some in the head board of her bed, and she never took food into the bedroom.
Note: The de Valcourt family left Many, La and came down to Lafayette before Dec. 19, 1957. Mama had received a letter from a lady in Many stating that she had missed telling mama good bye.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, in the Delhomme Funeral Home Chapel of the Flowers, for Louise Davis deValcourt, 91, who died at home on April 26, 2014. Entombment will follow at the Fountain Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Mrs. deValcourt was born in Many, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Louis Francis Davis and Leattie Eugenia Robinson Davis. While living in Many, she met the love of her life, Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, & during World War II, traveled on a lengthy train ride to Alameda, California to marry him. He returned home safely from the War, & together they raised 8 children. They were happily married for 48 years at the time of his death. They will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary together again in heaven on April 27, 2014.
She had many hobbies, including photography, sketching, writing, sewing beautiful clothes for herself & her children, cooking, and loving on babies. More information on her life can be found at www.findagrave.com.
She is survived by: her 5 daughters & sons-in-law, Dianna & Jonathan Brassette of Lake Charles, Janet & Salvador Bravo of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Kathy & Larry Troyanowski, Sharon & Alden Sonnier, and Evelyn & William Theriot, all from the Lafayette area; 3 sons & daughters-in-law, Stephen & Deb deValcourt of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Ken & Tina deValcourt, & Greg deValcourt, both from Lafayette; 13 grandchildren, & 14.5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, her sisters Joy Marie Davis Lafitte and Peggy Jean Davis Boswell, and her brothers John Andrew Davis and Louis Francis Davis.
Pallbearers will be six of her grandsons: Jaime Bravo, James Troyanowski, Alex Theriot, Ben Theriot, Richard Brassette, and Kevin Brassette.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Monday, April 28, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Visiting hours will resume on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 10:00 am until time of service.
Special heartfelt thanks go to her caretakers Marsha, Angela, Lou & especially to Sheral Iles, who was her loving & dedicated caretaker & friend for the past 6 years, who enabled her to continue to live and die at home peacefully. Thanks also to N.P. Lisa Tabor, for her treatment this past year, and to Heart of Hospice.
The family requests that donations be made to Heart of Hospice, 201 W. Vermilion Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501.
Personal condolences may be sent to the deValcourt family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.
************************************************************************************************************************
Hey Everyone,
I hope that life is treating you well and you are enjoying the wonderful weather that we have been having. I sure am and after being a batchelor for the past 6 weeks I am learning to enjoy the walks with the dogs. They sure like to smell and sniff and it slows me down to where I enjoy the chirping of the birds and the songs that the mockingbirds emit. Too bad we are all too busy to enjoy these anymore
This is a letter that mom had written to me prior to my going on the Emmaus walk. It is a letter to let people know how and what you felt about them.
A few discrepencies however, we did not have electric heaters back then and we had a big hall floor furnace as i think that Dianna probably has grille marks on her hands and knees from getting on the hot floor grille, maybe even Janetto. Dad did build a cage to go around it so the children wouldn't get burn't.
Mom stated that the original house was 4 bedroom and a bath. It was a 4 room house + bath and 2 rooms were bedrooms and the others were a living room and dining kitchen combo. Later the house was to become a 3 bedroom with the extra room that could be converted, served as a den area. That particular room was the old kitchen-dining. The former livingroom became my bedroom.
Mom also stated that new dining room and living room were never used but it was only the dining room that was not used. I remember I think that it was Gene Winberry that came by the house and helped me tune my Guitar and we did that sitting in the new living room.
I remember the burning of the sweet potatoes in front of the house. I must say that Dad was as cool as a cucumber when he had to confront the man who was one you wouldn't consider a gentleman as every other word out of his mouth was a cuss word. He was selling the sweet potatoes on the court house square at the time. Dad went over to him and told him who he was and that he needed to inspect the sweet potatoes. everything was cool until dad found the wevils in the potatoes and consfiscated them. He had the guy bring them out to the house and unload them on an old pine stump out front where we added a couple of old tires and burned them.
Everyone needs to sit down and write some little short notes about what we remember about each other and share them with each other.
I love you all
Stephen
PS I did this letter from Mom in the email and you should be able to copy and paste it into "Word" and save from there. I just wanted everyone to be able to open it with no trouble.
Sd
*********************
May 13, 2001
A letter from Louise Davis deValcourt to Herman S. deValcourt Jr. to him prior to going on an Emmaus Walk.
Dearest Stephen,
Once again you have lightened my heart with your phone calls. I love you all the more for it.
And….. to think it all started shortly after I graduated from high school in Many. Two women started a typing course and shorthand school. I enrolled in it and "Daddy" did too. He took typing at night after he got in from work. (I still have a sheet of paper with his first efforts on it, but don't know where it's tucked away).
He lived upstairs over our classroom where the N.Y.A boys he supervised also lived. These boys were supervised by your daddy and I believe they did construction work. N.Y.A was National Youth Administration. He drove a Ford furnished him by the N.Y.A. It was not for personal use, but he did take me on few dates. Since I was at the school in the daytime I had stayed until after 4:00 p.m. just to see him come in. That was before we dated. I was smitten.
A short time later he was transferred to a place near Alexandria .
Shortly thereafter Uncle Sam started drafting young men for the Army. He joined the Navy .He corresponded often. He was stationed at Alameda , Calif. I believe he was in San Diego prior to that.
A few short months passed and he encouraged me to join him so we could get married. I was so afraid to leave home and travel. By train I left Many and stayed overnight with Francis and Hazel in Beaumont , TX .
The next day they put men on a train from Beaumont to Los Angeles Calif. where Andrew was to meet me and put me on the right train to Oakland , Calif. It's a very long story_ _ _ . Since I hadn't slept at all from Beaumont to L.A. I kept falling asleep at the station. _ _ _ Long story_ _ Andrew finally found me in time for the remaining part of the trip. The panic didn't quite end there, but the worst was over. We did connect.
We were married at the naval Air Station Chapel in Alameda . Friends of your daddy, J.T. and Anna Keaton helped me. Daddy had rented a bedroom next to their apartment. I had use of the downstairs kitchen if I wanted to. We married shortly thereafter.
Then he was to "ship out" from Alameda so I had to go home to Many. Close to my heart I was carrying a part of him _ __ my precious little Stephen.
The trip home was long.
Shortly after, he called me. They weren't shipping out yet so he wanted me to go back, but have my doctor OK it. The doctor said "No".
I had to draw water from the well to wash diapers in a galvanized wash tub and water in a second tub for the rinse water. Your baby bottles had to be sterilized on the wood stove in a sterilizer which allowed the bottles to be put upside down in round "holes" in the special insert and steamed.
Back tracking, all clothes were line dried. In rain or in sun they got dried, but on rainy days a line was strung up in the front bedroom (still at Mother's) and dried by the warmth of the old wood heater. Gas (butane) heater came later.
When your daddy was finally back after the war ended, he had Clayton Miller (from Florien I believe) build us a 4 bedroom house with bath. We had electric heaters_ _ _ maybe radiant I believe.
In later years we added on to the house and believe that it was 2600 sq. ft. Daddy had a good garden every year, and chickens. The new living room and dining rooms were never used.
I forgot to tell you your daddy was an entomologist. As such he was compelled to rid the parish of the sweet potato weevil. He had one man burn a load of sweet potatoes in front of our house. They didn't bootleg them to another town.
Then Mr. Riley called your daddy and wanted him to come to Lafayette and that's where we moved. You remember the move. It was a good move for all of us. We had a good house, plenty of fruits and vegetables. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and school were within walking distance. The University of Southwestern Louisiana was also a plus. Our children had a good education.
When your daddy retired we moved to this house on the Southwest side of Lafayette . It had been bought a number of years earlier and we kept it rented until we moved into it.
Now this house has become my haven. I didn't think then that "daddy" would be called to a special home where all of us hope to reunite someday.
Each of my 8 children brings me a sense of being loved. God blessed me with the best!!!
You are a special jewel. I enjoy our talks whether on the phone or across the table early in the morning.
I'll always love you, my first born. Mama
************************************************************************************************************************
Tyler deValcourt
Ms. McGrath
American History
May 15, 2000
1) Where were you when you heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
- I was listening to music on my battery radio. Everything went off the air except the news of the bombardment. There was a lot of anxiety since many husbands and sons would soon have to be drafted into the army.
2) What was the United States' entrance into the war like for you?
- My sweetheart had to leave. I was very sad. Papa had to go to training in Alameda, CA. Papa, after weeks there, called me and proposed. I then took a train to California. On that train were several men, and no women. When I fell asleep, one of the men tried to assault me and was beaten down by another. After he sobered up, he was very kind to me. He even carried my luggage.
3) What were Papa's wartime responsibilities?
- Papa became the radioman on the PBM airplane. On the way to Hawaii, there was engine trouble. They had to throw many items overboard and even the Irishman on the plane had to get rid of his whiskey. Papa then knew the problem was very serious. They then had to land the plane short of Hawaii. During the war however, he did shoot some of the guns on the aircraft, and even took the rudders off many Japanese planes. Note: I believe during training dad did shoot the tail of his plane. A safety feature on the airplane was supposed to be in place to prevent this from happening but apparently it wasn't working. Greg
4) What was your everyday life like during the war?
- Well, shortly after your grandpa left, I realized I was pregnant with your Uncle Stephen, so when he was born, I mainly had to take care of him. There were many tanks which came through the streets. They were very noisy. Many local civilians worked at nearby Fort Polk. It was a wooded area, perfect for the military to practice their maneuvers.
5) What items were scarce, in short supply, or rationed?
- Gasoline and sugar were mainly rationed. Food stamps were issued so that there would be enough to go around. I worked at the Agricultural Extension Service which helped people start victory gardens so that they may produce some of their own crops. Like I said, there was very limited buying.
6) What can you tell me about politics during the 1940's?
- Franklin Roosevelt was President during most of the war. When he died Harry Truman took over. He was the one who decided to drop the two atomic bombs on Japan. After the war, Truman was re-elected over Dewey, this was a surprise.
7) Was anyone killed who was really close to you?
- During World War II, two of my cousins were killed. They were both marines and were brought back and buried. Quite a few young men from Many were killed in the war. I found that somewhat strange since it was such a small town. Note: Two of her first cousins were killed during the war, Felix Buvens, and Walter Earl Hubley. Greg
8) What did you think about the holocaust?
- It was horrible to hear such bad news. We are so lucky that we didn't have to go through those kinds of hardships. You know, I feel that it was always the intention of the United States that when we had to fight a war, to fight it away from this country.
9) What were Papa's homecomings like to you?
- Once while on leave, he decided to take a long taxi ride instead of a bus. This way, he didn't have to wait to see me. When he arrived, he and I were hugging and kissing on the front porch while the taxi driver sat and watched. He soon left though… after Papa got mad.
10) What was life like for you after the war?
- Everything felt so peaceful. I was so glad that he came home safely. Now, I felt that we could resume where we left off. Papa really cared for me and took especially good care of the other seven children we had.
Biography
Full Name: Mary Louise deValcourt
Place of Birth: Many, Louisiana. Sabine Parish
Date of Birth: December 27, 1922
Relation to Author: Paternal Grandmother
************************************************************************************************************************
Louise Davis de Valcourt was born December 27, 1922 near the city of Many, La. When she was 3 years of age she moved to a farm in the country (Davis Place). When she was eight years old her father died (December 1931). In February of 1932 they moved to the house on 505 East Georgia Street in Many La. Mama attended St. John's Academy in her early years and her first year at Many High School was the 10th grade. Mama also made a few soap carvings and sold them as a teenager. Mama belonged to the Aunt Jane's Letter Club and received her button around September 23, 1937. The young people's paper was a section of the newspaper that was published in the Times Picayune Publishing Company of New Orleans La. "Sister" M. Stanislaus sent mama a letter explaining the details of her scholarship. The Scholarship was to attend St. Vincent's College and Academy in Shreveport, La., and the letter was dated July 28, 1940. Mama was a graduate of Many High School, class of 39, and a graduate of Many Business School and at the time of her marriage she had been employed by the Agricultural Extension Service in Sabine Parish for there years. Dad was a graduate of Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Lafayette, La., and was employed as supervisor of the National Youth Administration in Sabine Parish during the latter part of 1940 and the early part of 1941. For the past two and a half years he has been serving in the United States Navy. The happy couple are at home at 4145 Montgomery Street Oakland, CA.
Source: Mama's scrap book, Letter from Sister M. Stanislaus 7/28/40, mg anon.
************************************************************
************************************************************
Miss Mary Louise
Davis Weds Navy Man
Of interest to their many
friends throughout this section
is the wedding of Miss Mary
Louise Davis, attractive daugh-
ter of Mrs. Louis F. Davis of
Many, to Herman Stephenson
de Valcourt, ARM 3/C, United
States navy, son of Judge and
Mrs. William de Valcourt of
Sunset, which was solemnized
Thursday afternoon, April 27,
at 4 o'clock in the chapel of
the naval air station, Alameda,
Calif., Chaplain J. J. Sheeby
officiating at the impressive
ceremony. Musician Pasmore
Sp. (2U) 1/C, an artist in his
own right, and a well known
teacher, rendered a program
of pre-nuptial music, includ-
ing the ever-beautiful "Ave
Marie" and "At Dawning.
Two lovely wedding marches,
one of Wagner, the other by
Mendelsohn, marked the be-
ginning and close of the cer-
emony. Miss Hortense E. Scott
of Alameda, Calif., was maid
of honor and the bride's only
attendant. E. M. Haydel. ARM
2/C of New Orleans was the
bridegroom's best man. The
bride was lovely in a light
blue wool crepe suit dress
with navy blue accessories.
Mrs. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Many high school, class
of '39, a graduate of Many
Business school and has been
employed for the past three
years by the agricultural ex-
tension service in Sabine par-
ish. Mr. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Southwestern Louis-
iana institute of Lafayette and
was employed as supervisor
of the National Youth admin-
istration in Sabine parish dur-
ing the latter part of 1940 and
early part of 1941. For the
past two and a half years he
has been serving in the United
States navy.
The happy couple are at
home at ?4146? Montgomery
street, Oakland, Calif.
************************************************************
$ Money Makers $
Of Our Readers
When I first carved a small
statuette of a girl out of soap, I
did it for practice, but it finally
turned out to be a money-making
idea.
This tiny four-inch statuette
stood on a whatnot in our living
room several days before a visitor
inquired about it. The statue ap-
pealed to him so he offered to
give me 15 cents for it, leaving
approximately 11 cents profit.
this was enough to buy two large
bars of soap from which to carve
four more girls to be sold at 15
cents and more. Profit? Yes, a lit-
tle.
Anyone interested in carving
may find quite a bit of enjoy-
ment in it and at the same time
make a few cents profit. And all
you need is soap and a sharp
pointed knife to carve away to a
money-making path.
LOUISE DAVIS, 16,
Many, La.
Times-Picayune
************************************************************
MOTHERS ARE
FIRST IN CLUB
MAIL TODAY
Dearest Aunt Jane -- Again
Mothers's Day comes to remind us
of the honor and tribute being
paid to mothers all over the
world. On this great day, we also
show our love by a small gift or
some other token of affection.
And really it's fun to buy a lit-
tle gift for the person you love,
isn't it?
Aunt Jane, when I stop to think
I find that I am one of the luck-
iest girls in the whole world. Why
there are just thousands of girls
and boys my age who have never
known what it is to have a moth-
er. Their mothers may be in a
better world but the life of these
girls and boys is not as carefree
and happy as mine. Therefore I
thank God from the bottom of my
heart for one of the best mothers
in the world.
I think we owe our parents the
deepest respect of which we are
capable. The three most impor-
tant ingredients of this respect
are honor, love and obedience. I
think you and the cousins will
agree with me.
LOUISE DAVIS
Many, La.
Such a letter as yours, Louise,
is a joy to receive. It presents
one of the loveliest and one of
the most to be desired things in
the world--happy home life. All
of us know of unfortunate homes
in which friction tears members
of families apart. Sometimes chil-
dren are headstrong and loathe to
listen to their parents; sometimes
parents are overbearing and un-
necessarily demanding of their
children. It is always good to
hear from a girl or boy who feels
as you do, because such an ex-
pression could only come from a
home wherein the members are
considerate of each other.
THE TIMES-PICAYUNE NEW ORLEANS STATES,
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1939, SECTION TWO
PAGE TWELVE, Column 1, or Page 40.
------------------------------------------------------------
LIKES PUBLIC SCHOOL
Dearest Relatives-Probably all
of you had forgotten me until
this moment because I haven't
written in quite a while, but
maybe I can make up for my neg-
ligence by this letter.
This year I am going to a pub-
lic school for the first time in my
life, and it is really new to me.
For a while I felt lost, but you
can't stay around these friendly
girls unless you join in the con-
versation, too. I value the friend-
ship of each and every girl and
boy who accepted me as a friend
at first.
Although I am in the 10th
grade, I take "history of the
American people," an 11th grade
subject. The other subjects I take
are home economics second year
algebra, 10th English and physic-
cal education. My teachers are
just grand, every one of them. Mr.
Fraser, who teaches 11th grade
history, explains everything so
well that we should make good
grades at the end of six weeks
if we study well. Mrs. May, my
home economics teacher, is a very
nice and kind lady. Mr. Leopold,
algebra teacher, is very good at
explaining difficult problems.
Miss Hill, my nice English teach-
er, is excellent at anything in Eng-
lish. And last, but not least is
Mrs. Leopold, a friendly physical
education teacher, who keeps us
from becoming lazy by having
us play active games. With all of
these nice teachers, I should be
able to make good grades. Even
though I like some subjects bet-
ter than others I like all my
teachers.
Maybe I had better end this
chatter by saying that the public
school has really proved delight-
ful. I hope I shall continue to
like it as well as I do now.
LOUISE DAVIS,
15, Many, La.
************************************************************************************************************************
GIVES LIFE STORY
Dear Relatives-My topic for this
letter is an unusual one as I have
not read another like it in the
Y.P.P. The topic is the story of my
life.
I was born on December 27, 1922,
in the city of Many and when I was
3 years of age we moved to a farm
in the country. I loved everything
about farm life and you can be sure
that I got my share of peaches and
popcorn.
In December, 1931, when I was 8
years old, my father died. That
Christmas proved to be a sad one
for us but all of the neighbors were
as kind and sympathetic as could
be. In February of 1932 we moved to
our present home. I love our home
now and I loved our old home on the
farm where Grandmother lives now.
We are all happy in our present
home and I hope we shall continue
to be just as happy.
But there is one thing that our
home lacks-a father. Every one of
you who have two parents should be
very kind to both your mother and
father as you may not know how
much you love them or would miss
them until they are gone.
Please don't think that I think any
of you are unkind to your parents.
Goodness, I hope not!
MARY LOUISE DAVIS, 15,
Many, La.
You have more than one good idea
in your letter, Mary. Aunt Jane likes
to receive autobiographies from
cousins periodically. And children
can't be cautioned too often about
being considerate in every way of
their parents.
************************************************************************************************************************
Prize
Letter
'Greatest Gift"
Dear Aunt Jane-My mother is
the greatest gift I have received
from God and kept so long. You
will never know how much I ap-
preciate her because I really can't
write it down as I would like to.
We usually realize what she
means to us when she is sick.
Then memories begin to come
into our thoughts and we say,
"What if I should lose her?" At
that moment we think of the
many nights she lay awake gently
soothing our feverish brows. This
is what she has done for us, but
there are countless things that we
don't think of.
Our hearts and minds are
formed by careful teachings and
advice of our mothers. Along this
path our future lives will travel
if we do our share. The first
foundation is put down by our
mothers and we must work for
the others to attain success.
Would it not be worth it one day
for our mothers to say: "That's
my girl, I'm proud of you?" I
think it would.
LOUISE DAVIS,
Age 15, Many, La.
I'm glad you appreciate your
mother. One could never repay
her for all of her sacrifices and
love but one should try to tell her
of the gratitude felt.
Times-Picayune
May 8, 1938
************************************************************
Mama drew up the house plans for their first house in Many, La.
Quotes that she used: I spent the best years of my life in the arms of another woman, the arms of my mother.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
Well Hector Smith.
Mama also did a good characterization of Beavis and Butt Head, to entertain some of us.
Mama and dad liked watching Lawrence Welk, All in the Family, and mama also enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars etc.
As a young child mama would eat dirt out in the yard, her mother sprinkled some pepper on her favorite dirt eating spot to discourage this.
She also had heat stroke or heat exhaustion at one time and they had to put her in the bath tub with some ice?
Mama loved her Zucchini bread, she ALWAYS shared with the family but as she got older she would hide her a stash of this if one of her daughters brought some by. I even found some in the head board of her bed, and she never took food into the bedroom.
Note: The de Valcourt family left Many, La and came down to Lafayette before Dec. 19, 1957. Mama had received a letter from a lady in Many stating that she had missed telling mama good bye.
Mrs. deValcourt was born in Many, Louisiana, the daughter of the late Louis Francis Davis and Leattie Eugenia Robinson Davis. While living in Many, she met the love of her life, Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, & during World War II, traveled on a lengthy train ride to Alameda, California to marry him. He returned home safely from the War, & together they raised 8 children. They were happily married for 48 years at the time of his death. They will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary together again in heaven on April 27, 2014.
She had many hobbies, including photography, sketching, writing, sewing beautiful clothes for herself & her children, cooking, and loving on babies. More information on her life can be found at www.findagrave.com.
She is survived by: her 5 daughters & sons-in-law, Dianna & Jonathan Brassette of Lake Charles, Janet & Salvador Bravo of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Kathy & Larry Troyanowski, Sharon & Alden Sonnier, and Evelyn & William Theriot, all from the Lafayette area; 3 sons & daughters-in-law, Stephen & Deb deValcourt of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Ken & Tina deValcourt, & Greg deValcourt, both from Lafayette; 13 grandchildren, & 14.5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herman Marshall Stephenson "Steve" deValcourt, her sisters Joy Marie Davis Lafitte and Peggy Jean Davis Boswell, and her brothers John Andrew Davis and Louis Francis Davis.
Pallbearers will be six of her grandsons: Jaime Bravo, James Troyanowski, Alex Theriot, Ben Theriot, Richard Brassette, and Kevin Brassette.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Monday, April 28, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Visiting hours will resume on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 10:00 am until time of service.
Special heartfelt thanks go to her caretakers Marsha, Angela, Lou & especially to Sheral Iles, who was her loving & dedicated caretaker & friend for the past 6 years, who enabled her to continue to live and die at home peacefully. Thanks also to N.P. Lisa Tabor, for her treatment this past year, and to Heart of Hospice.
The family requests that donations be made to Heart of Hospice, 201 W. Vermilion Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501.
Personal condolences may be sent to the deValcourt family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.
************************************************************************************************************************
Hey Everyone,
I hope that life is treating you well and you are enjoying the wonderful weather that we have been having. I sure am and after being a batchelor for the past 6 weeks I am learning to enjoy the walks with the dogs. They sure like to smell and sniff and it slows me down to where I enjoy the chirping of the birds and the songs that the mockingbirds emit. Too bad we are all too busy to enjoy these anymore
This is a letter that mom had written to me prior to my going on the Emmaus walk. It is a letter to let people know how and what you felt about them.
A few discrepencies however, we did not have electric heaters back then and we had a big hall floor furnace as i think that Dianna probably has grille marks on her hands and knees from getting on the hot floor grille, maybe even Janetto. Dad did build a cage to go around it so the children wouldn't get burn't.
Mom stated that the original house was 4 bedroom and a bath. It was a 4 room house + bath and 2 rooms were bedrooms and the others were a living room and dining kitchen combo. Later the house was to become a 3 bedroom with the extra room that could be converted, served as a den area. That particular room was the old kitchen-dining. The former livingroom became my bedroom.
Mom also stated that new dining room and living room were never used but it was only the dining room that was not used. I remember I think that it was Gene Winberry that came by the house and helped me tune my Guitar and we did that sitting in the new living room.
I remember the burning of the sweet potatoes in front of the house. I must say that Dad was as cool as a cucumber when he had to confront the man who was one you wouldn't consider a gentleman as every other word out of his mouth was a cuss word. He was selling the sweet potatoes on the court house square at the time. Dad went over to him and told him who he was and that he needed to inspect the sweet potatoes. everything was cool until dad found the wevils in the potatoes and consfiscated them. He had the guy bring them out to the house and unload them on an old pine stump out front where we added a couple of old tires and burned them.
Everyone needs to sit down and write some little short notes about what we remember about each other and share them with each other.
I love you all
Stephen
PS I did this letter from Mom in the email and you should be able to copy and paste it into "Word" and save from there. I just wanted everyone to be able to open it with no trouble.
Sd
*********************
May 13, 2001
A letter from Louise Davis deValcourt to Herman S. deValcourt Jr. to him prior to going on an Emmaus Walk.
Dearest Stephen,
Once again you have lightened my heart with your phone calls. I love you all the more for it.
And….. to think it all started shortly after I graduated from high school in Many. Two women started a typing course and shorthand school. I enrolled in it and "Daddy" did too. He took typing at night after he got in from work. (I still have a sheet of paper with his first efforts on it, but don't know where it's tucked away).
He lived upstairs over our classroom where the N.Y.A boys he supervised also lived. These boys were supervised by your daddy and I believe they did construction work. N.Y.A was National Youth Administration. He drove a Ford furnished him by the N.Y.A. It was not for personal use, but he did take me on few dates. Since I was at the school in the daytime I had stayed until after 4:00 p.m. just to see him come in. That was before we dated. I was smitten.
A short time later he was transferred to a place near Alexandria .
Shortly thereafter Uncle Sam started drafting young men for the Army. He joined the Navy .He corresponded often. He was stationed at Alameda , Calif. I believe he was in San Diego prior to that.
A few short months passed and he encouraged me to join him so we could get married. I was so afraid to leave home and travel. By train I left Many and stayed overnight with Francis and Hazel in Beaumont , TX .
The next day they put men on a train from Beaumont to Los Angeles Calif. where Andrew was to meet me and put me on the right train to Oakland , Calif. It's a very long story_ _ _ . Since I hadn't slept at all from Beaumont to L.A. I kept falling asleep at the station. _ _ _ Long story_ _ Andrew finally found me in time for the remaining part of the trip. The panic didn't quite end there, but the worst was over. We did connect.
We were married at the naval Air Station Chapel in Alameda . Friends of your daddy, J.T. and Anna Keaton helped me. Daddy had rented a bedroom next to their apartment. I had use of the downstairs kitchen if I wanted to. We married shortly thereafter.
Then he was to "ship out" from Alameda so I had to go home to Many. Close to my heart I was carrying a part of him _ __ my precious little Stephen.
The trip home was long.
Shortly after, he called me. They weren't shipping out yet so he wanted me to go back, but have my doctor OK it. The doctor said "No".
I had to draw water from the well to wash diapers in a galvanized wash tub and water in a second tub for the rinse water. Your baby bottles had to be sterilized on the wood stove in a sterilizer which allowed the bottles to be put upside down in round "holes" in the special insert and steamed.
Back tracking, all clothes were line dried. In rain or in sun they got dried, but on rainy days a line was strung up in the front bedroom (still at Mother's) and dried by the warmth of the old wood heater. Gas (butane) heater came later.
When your daddy was finally back after the war ended, he had Clayton Miller (from Florien I believe) build us a 4 bedroom house with bath. We had electric heaters_ _ _ maybe radiant I believe.
In later years we added on to the house and believe that it was 2600 sq. ft. Daddy had a good garden every year, and chickens. The new living room and dining rooms were never used.
I forgot to tell you your daddy was an entomologist. As such he was compelled to rid the parish of the sweet potato weevil. He had one man burn a load of sweet potatoes in front of our house. They didn't bootleg them to another town.
Then Mr. Riley called your daddy and wanted him to come to Lafayette and that's where we moved. You remember the move. It was a good move for all of us. We had a good house, plenty of fruits and vegetables. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and school were within walking distance. The University of Southwestern Louisiana was also a plus. Our children had a good education.
When your daddy retired we moved to this house on the Southwest side of Lafayette . It had been bought a number of years earlier and we kept it rented until we moved into it.
Now this house has become my haven. I didn't think then that "daddy" would be called to a special home where all of us hope to reunite someday.
Each of my 8 children brings me a sense of being loved. God blessed me with the best!!!
You are a special jewel. I enjoy our talks whether on the phone or across the table early in the morning.
I'll always love you, my first born. Mama
************************************************************************************************************************
Tyler deValcourt
Ms. McGrath
American History
May 15, 2000
1) Where were you when you heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
- I was listening to music on my battery radio. Everything went off the air except the news of the bombardment. There was a lot of anxiety since many husbands and sons would soon have to be drafted into the army.
2) What was the United States' entrance into the war like for you?
- My sweetheart had to leave. I was very sad. Papa had to go to training in Alameda, CA. Papa, after weeks there, called me and proposed. I then took a train to California. On that train were several men, and no women. When I fell asleep, one of the men tried to assault me and was beaten down by another. After he sobered up, he was very kind to me. He even carried my luggage.
3) What were Papa's wartime responsibilities?
- Papa became the radioman on the PBM airplane. On the way to Hawaii, there was engine trouble. They had to throw many items overboard and even the Irishman on the plane had to get rid of his whiskey. Papa then knew the problem was very serious. They then had to land the plane short of Hawaii. During the war however, he did shoot some of the guns on the aircraft, and even took the rudders off many Japanese planes. Note: I believe during training dad did shoot the tail of his plane. A safety feature on the airplane was supposed to be in place to prevent this from happening but apparently it wasn't working. Greg
4) What was your everyday life like during the war?
- Well, shortly after your grandpa left, I realized I was pregnant with your Uncle Stephen, so when he was born, I mainly had to take care of him. There were many tanks which came through the streets. They were very noisy. Many local civilians worked at nearby Fort Polk. It was a wooded area, perfect for the military to practice their maneuvers.
5) What items were scarce, in short supply, or rationed?
- Gasoline and sugar were mainly rationed. Food stamps were issued so that there would be enough to go around. I worked at the Agricultural Extension Service which helped people start victory gardens so that they may produce some of their own crops. Like I said, there was very limited buying.
6) What can you tell me about politics during the 1940's?
- Franklin Roosevelt was President during most of the war. When he died Harry Truman took over. He was the one who decided to drop the two atomic bombs on Japan. After the war, Truman was re-elected over Dewey, this was a surprise.
7) Was anyone killed who was really close to you?
- During World War II, two of my cousins were killed. They were both marines and were brought back and buried. Quite a few young men from Many were killed in the war. I found that somewhat strange since it was such a small town. Note: Two of her first cousins were killed during the war, Felix Buvens, and Walter Earl Hubley. Greg
8) What did you think about the holocaust?
- It was horrible to hear such bad news. We are so lucky that we didn't have to go through those kinds of hardships. You know, I feel that it was always the intention of the United States that when we had to fight a war, to fight it away from this country.
9) What were Papa's homecomings like to you?
- Once while on leave, he decided to take a long taxi ride instead of a bus. This way, he didn't have to wait to see me. When he arrived, he and I were hugging and kissing on the front porch while the taxi driver sat and watched. He soon left though… after Papa got mad.
10) What was life like for you after the war?
- Everything felt so peaceful. I was so glad that he came home safely. Now, I felt that we could resume where we left off. Papa really cared for me and took especially good care of the other seven children we had.
Biography
Full Name: Mary Louise deValcourt
Place of Birth: Many, Louisiana. Sabine Parish
Date of Birth: December 27, 1922
Relation to Author: Paternal Grandmother
************************************************************************************************************************
Louise Davis de Valcourt was born December 27, 1922 near the city of Many, La. When she was 3 years of age she moved to a farm in the country (Davis Place). When she was eight years old her father died (December 1931). In February of 1932 they moved to the house on 505 East Georgia Street in Many La. Mama attended St. John's Academy in her early years and her first year at Many High School was the 10th grade. Mama also made a few soap carvings and sold them as a teenager. Mama belonged to the Aunt Jane's Letter Club and received her button around September 23, 1937. The young people's paper was a section of the newspaper that was published in the Times Picayune Publishing Company of New Orleans La. "Sister" M. Stanislaus sent mama a letter explaining the details of her scholarship. The Scholarship was to attend St. Vincent's College and Academy in Shreveport, La., and the letter was dated July 28, 1940. Mama was a graduate of Many High School, class of 39, and a graduate of Many Business School and at the time of her marriage she had been employed by the Agricultural Extension Service in Sabine Parish for there years. Dad was a graduate of Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Lafayette, La., and was employed as supervisor of the National Youth Administration in Sabine Parish during the latter part of 1940 and the early part of 1941. For the past two and a half years he has been serving in the United States Navy. The happy couple are at home at 4145 Montgomery Street Oakland, CA.
Source: Mama's scrap book, Letter from Sister M. Stanislaus 7/28/40, mg anon.
************************************************************
************************************************************
Miss Mary Louise
Davis Weds Navy Man
Of interest to their many
friends throughout this section
is the wedding of Miss Mary
Louise Davis, attractive daugh-
ter of Mrs. Louis F. Davis of
Many, to Herman Stephenson
de Valcourt, ARM 3/C, United
States navy, son of Judge and
Mrs. William de Valcourt of
Sunset, which was solemnized
Thursday afternoon, April 27,
at 4 o'clock in the chapel of
the naval air station, Alameda,
Calif., Chaplain J. J. Sheeby
officiating at the impressive
ceremony. Musician Pasmore
Sp. (2U) 1/C, an artist in his
own right, and a well known
teacher, rendered a program
of pre-nuptial music, includ-
ing the ever-beautiful "Ave
Marie" and "At Dawning.
Two lovely wedding marches,
one of Wagner, the other by
Mendelsohn, marked the be-
ginning and close of the cer-
emony. Miss Hortense E. Scott
of Alameda, Calif., was maid
of honor and the bride's only
attendant. E. M. Haydel. ARM
2/C of New Orleans was the
bridegroom's best man. The
bride was lovely in a light
blue wool crepe suit dress
with navy blue accessories.
Mrs. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Many high school, class
of '39, a graduate of Many
Business school and has been
employed for the past three
years by the agricultural ex-
tension service in Sabine par-
ish. Mr. de Valcourt is a grad-
uate of Southwestern Louis-
iana institute of Lafayette and
was employed as supervisor
of the National Youth admin-
istration in Sabine parish dur-
ing the latter part of 1940 and
early part of 1941. For the
past two and a half years he
has been serving in the United
States navy.
The happy couple are at
home at ?4146? Montgomery
street, Oakland, Calif.
************************************************************
$ Money Makers $
Of Our Readers
When I first carved a small
statuette of a girl out of soap, I
did it for practice, but it finally
turned out to be a money-making
idea.
This tiny four-inch statuette
stood on a whatnot in our living
room several days before a visitor
inquired about it. The statue ap-
pealed to him so he offered to
give me 15 cents for it, leaving
approximately 11 cents profit.
this was enough to buy two large
bars of soap from which to carve
four more girls to be sold at 15
cents and more. Profit? Yes, a lit-
tle.
Anyone interested in carving
may find quite a bit of enjoy-
ment in it and at the same time
make a few cents profit. And all
you need is soap and a sharp
pointed knife to carve away to a
money-making path.
LOUISE DAVIS, 16,
Many, La.
Times-Picayune
************************************************************
MOTHERS ARE
FIRST IN CLUB
MAIL TODAY
Dearest Aunt Jane -- Again
Mothers's Day comes to remind us
of the honor and tribute being
paid to mothers all over the
world. On this great day, we also
show our love by a small gift or
some other token of affection.
And really it's fun to buy a lit-
tle gift for the person you love,
isn't it?
Aunt Jane, when I stop to think
I find that I am one of the luck-
iest girls in the whole world. Why
there are just thousands of girls
and boys my age who have never
known what it is to have a moth-
er. Their mothers may be in a
better world but the life of these
girls and boys is not as carefree
and happy as mine. Therefore I
thank God from the bottom of my
heart for one of the best mothers
in the world.
I think we owe our parents the
deepest respect of which we are
capable. The three most impor-
tant ingredients of this respect
are honor, love and obedience. I
think you and the cousins will
agree with me.
LOUISE DAVIS
Many, La.
Such a letter as yours, Louise,
is a joy to receive. It presents
one of the loveliest and one of
the most to be desired things in
the world--happy home life. All
of us know of unfortunate homes
in which friction tears members
of families apart. Sometimes chil-
dren are headstrong and loathe to
listen to their parents; sometimes
parents are overbearing and un-
necessarily demanding of their
children. It is always good to
hear from a girl or boy who feels
as you do, because such an ex-
pression could only come from a
home wherein the members are
considerate of each other.
THE TIMES-PICAYUNE NEW ORLEANS STATES,
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1939, SECTION TWO
PAGE TWELVE, Column 1, or Page 40.
------------------------------------------------------------
LIKES PUBLIC SCHOOL
Dearest Relatives-Probably all
of you had forgotten me until
this moment because I haven't
written in quite a while, but
maybe I can make up for my neg-
ligence by this letter.
This year I am going to a pub-
lic school for the first time in my
life, and it is really new to me.
For a while I felt lost, but you
can't stay around these friendly
girls unless you join in the con-
versation, too. I value the friend-
ship of each and every girl and
boy who accepted me as a friend
at first.
Although I am in the 10th
grade, I take "history of the
American people," an 11th grade
subject. The other subjects I take
are home economics second year
algebra, 10th English and physic-
cal education. My teachers are
just grand, every one of them. Mr.
Fraser, who teaches 11th grade
history, explains everything so
well that we should make good
grades at the end of six weeks
if we study well. Mrs. May, my
home economics teacher, is a very
nice and kind lady. Mr. Leopold,
algebra teacher, is very good at
explaining difficult problems.
Miss Hill, my nice English teach-
er, is excellent at anything in Eng-
lish. And last, but not least is
Mrs. Leopold, a friendly physical
education teacher, who keeps us
from becoming lazy by having
us play active games. With all of
these nice teachers, I should be
able to make good grades. Even
though I like some subjects bet-
ter than others I like all my
teachers.
Maybe I had better end this
chatter by saying that the public
school has really proved delight-
ful. I hope I shall continue to
like it as well as I do now.
LOUISE DAVIS,
15, Many, La.
************************************************************************************************************************
GIVES LIFE STORY
Dear Relatives-My topic for this
letter is an unusual one as I have
not read another like it in the
Y.P.P. The topic is the story of my
life.
I was born on December 27, 1922,
in the city of Many and when I was
3 years of age we moved to a farm
in the country. I loved everything
about farm life and you can be sure
that I got my share of peaches and
popcorn.
In December, 1931, when I was 8
years old, my father died. That
Christmas proved to be a sad one
for us but all of the neighbors were
as kind and sympathetic as could
be. In February of 1932 we moved to
our present home. I love our home
now and I loved our old home on the
farm where Grandmother lives now.
We are all happy in our present
home and I hope we shall continue
to be just as happy.
But there is one thing that our
home lacks-a father. Every one of
you who have two parents should be
very kind to both your mother and
father as you may not know how
much you love them or would miss
them until they are gone.
Please don't think that I think any
of you are unkind to your parents.
Goodness, I hope not!
MARY LOUISE DAVIS, 15,
Many, La.
You have more than one good idea
in your letter, Mary. Aunt Jane likes
to receive autobiographies from
cousins periodically. And children
can't be cautioned too often about
being considerate in every way of
their parents.
************************************************************************************************************************
Prize
Letter
'Greatest Gift"
Dear Aunt Jane-My mother is
the greatest gift I have received
from God and kept so long. You
will never know how much I ap-
preciate her because I really can't
write it down as I would like to.
We usually realize what she
means to us when she is sick.
Then memories begin to come
into our thoughts and we say,
"What if I should lose her?" At
that moment we think of the
many nights she lay awake gently
soothing our feverish brows. This
is what she has done for us, but
there are countless things that we
don't think of.
Our hearts and minds are
formed by careful teachings and
advice of our mothers. Along this
path our future lives will travel
if we do our share. The first
foundation is put down by our
mothers and we must work for
the others to attain success.
Would it not be worth it one day
for our mothers to say: "That's
my girl, I'm proud of you?" I
think it would.
LOUISE DAVIS,
Age 15, Many, La.
I'm glad you appreciate your
mother. One could never repay
her for all of her sacrifices and
love but one should try to tell her
of the gratitude felt.
Times-Picayune
May 8, 1938
************************************************************
Mama drew up the house plans for their first house in Many, La.
Quotes that she used: I spent the best years of my life in the arms of another woman, the arms of my mother.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
Well Hector Smith.
Mama also did a good characterization of Beavis and Butt Head, to entertain some of us.
Mama and dad liked watching Lawrence Welk, All in the Family, and mama also enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars etc.
As a young child mama would eat dirt out in the yard, her mother sprinkled some pepper on her favorite dirt eating spot to discourage this.
She also had heat stroke or heat exhaustion at one time and they had to put her in the bath tub with some ice?
Mama loved her Zucchini bread, she ALWAYS shared with the family but as she got older she would hide her a stash of this if one of her daughters brought some by. I even found some in the head board of her bed, and she never took food into the bedroom.
Note: The de Valcourt family left Many, La and came down to Lafayette before Dec. 19, 1957. Mama had received a letter from a lady in Many stating that she had missed telling mama good bye.
Family Members
See more de Valcourt or Davis memorials in:
- Fountain Memorial Cemetery de Valcourt or Davis
- Lafayette de Valcourt or Davis
- Lafayette Parish de Valcourt or Davis
- Louisiana de Valcourt or Davis
- USA de Valcourt or Davis
- Find a Grave de Valcourt or Davis
