But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. In all good things showing thyself a pattern of good works." 2 Titus 2:1-2, 2:7. Alvin Joseph Jarreau was born on Oct. 17, 1929, and died on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. He was a native of Lakeland, a longtime resident of Erwinville until 2006, when he moved to the home of his daughter, Frances. He was a just and good man who provided and cared for his wife, children, parents, mother-in-law and siblings. He was a good friend to all, with a giving heart. His love of hunting was shared with many friends and family. He was a retired welder who was chosen for his skills to perform work on the first manned spacecraft. He enjoyed cooking and made the best sauce piquante you would ever eat. You can still find many of his special-made barbecue pits and pots throughout the region. He will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by his six children and their spouses, James Alvin and Linda Jarreau, Yvonne and Larry Chenevert, Frances and Paul Simon, Frank and Joan Jarreau, Michael and Bari Jerreau, and Roland and Tonya Jarreau; 18 grandchildren he greatly loved, Damian, Travis, Jeremiah and Stephen Jarreau, Christina Tillman, Shannon, Brandon and Seth Chenevert, Jason, Kyle and Micah Simon, Deonna Wheeler and Matthew Jarreau, Misti Vallet, Michael Shane Jarreau, Cassie Calamia, Amber Courville and Leah Jarreau; 17 great-grandchildren, Angela Jarreau, Janah, Dathan and Landon Tillman, Aaron and Charleen Chenevert, Courtney, Haley and Callie Chenevert, Austin and Ashton Simon, Carson Simon, Carley Oakley, Holden Wheeler, Blaise Calamia, Kyleigh Brunet and Kaitlyn Courville; a great-great-grandchild, Skylar Marie David; two sisters, Florence Aymond and Ruby Pourciau; four brothers, Cecil, Batiste, Dudley and Adam Jarreau; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Doris Vines Jarreau; parents, Adam J. and Leah David Jarreau; a brother, Frank Jarreau; and brother-at-heart, Herman Cline. The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to his loving and caring caregivers, Diey Richard, Sandra Batiste, Tommy Smith, Tamieka Williams, Tawanna Clark and Monique Dixon. Visiting at Niland's Funeral Home, New Roads, on Friday, Oct. 16, was from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting continues at the funeral home on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Religious service at St. Paul's Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, New Roads, on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment in False River Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Jarreau, Jeremiah Jarreau, Larry Chenevert and Paul Simon.
Published in TheAdvocate - 2009