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2017
Rev. Pershing E. Pitre, 97, went on to be with the ONE he loved and served all his life on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Born in Mallet, LA, on February 23, 1920, to Amos Antoine and Lezda Elizabeth (Deville) Pitre, he was raised in rural French communities learning to speak English upon entering the first grade of school. By the grace of God, he began a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through faith at the age of 10. At age 15, while plowing his father's field behind the family mule, Liza, he felt the call of God upon his heart to "preach the gospel". His first sermon, preached in the French language at age 18 at Prairie Ronde Baptist Church, lasted five minutes and his text was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." After graduating from Acadia Baptist Academy High School in Eunice, LA, he attended Louisiana College in Pineville, LA, graduating with majors in French and Bible. He then attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for two years where he met and married his "mission minded" wife, Mary Kathryn Freeman. He spent most of his ministry building up small churches in rural south Louisiana among the French speaking people. His great passion was leading others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. At age 65, he retired from full-time pastoral ministry and moved to Port Allen, LA, in 1990. He was an integral part of the First Baptist Church of Port Allen where God used him to preach on occasion, visit the sick, and always "let his light shine" for Christ. At age 93, he moved to Ormond Beach, FL, to live with his daughter Kaye and her husband Hamp. He always told God he would "serve Him as long as He gave him the strength to serve". To that end, he faithfully attended the services at Riverbend Community Church and was an active member of their ministry at Avante Nursing Home, where every Thursday morning he opened and closed in prayer and on occasion preached the Word of God. At the time of his death, he was the oldest member of Riverbend Community Church in Ormond Beach, FL. His wife of 54 years, Mary Kathryn Freeman Pitre; sons, John Pershing Pitre and Paul Douglas Pitre; brothers, Phillip and Dennis Pitre; brothers-in-law, Jack Smith and Huey Kleinpeter, predeceased him. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Kaye (Dr. Hamp) Johnson of Ormond Beach, FL, and Trudy (Rev. Matt) Marsh of Bryan, TX. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he prayed for many times daily. James 5:16b, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Grandchildren, Kathryn (Benjamin) Schonveld, Elizabeth Johnson (fiancé Scott Meachum), Ashley (Tyler) Tedcastle, Hampton (Kelly) Johnson, Jeanne Pitre, Jay Pitre, Lindsay (Brandon) Jung, Kathryn (Michael) Cannon, Elliott Marsh (fiancé Luke LeBoeuf); great-grandchildren, Maya and William Schonveld, Emery and Ella Cannon; sisters, Mrs. Elsie Smith and Mrs. Elta Mae "Tim" Kleinpeter; and many "favorite nephews" and nieces, cousins and church families from Louisiana, Florida, and Texas. Visitation will be from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, July 28, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Port Allen, 4200 Rebelle Lane, and will resume on Saturday, July 29th at 9am until the services at 10am. Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine, LA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pershing E. Pitre Ministerial Endowed Scholarship, Louisiana College Institutional Advancement, L.C. Box 587, Pineville, LA. 71359. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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4 Entries
Truly a man of God. A spirit rarely seen in today's world.
W.G. Hoover II
July 28, 2017
What can I say about this sweet man of God? I have known Mr. Pitre, as he was my next door neighbor for many years in Brusly. He had a heart of gold, a passion for the Lord and a dedication to love his family, neighbors and church friends. He lived a good, long life and I am so happy to have known him as long as I did. I will miss his quick wit and "horsing around" he shared with my daughters and family. He always had something to say which usually he brought back to the Lord. He will be missed by so many that knew him, I was so glad I was able to give him a hug when he recently came down for Mr. Jack's service, little did I know it would be the last time I saw him. God is good, He allowed me that! Peace, Joy and Happiness to you my sweet, sweet neighbor. I love you! Cyndi
July 27, 2017
The entire staff at Wilbert Funeral Service expresses our sincere condolences. May your heart soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times spent together as you celebrate a life well lived!
The Staff of Wilbert Funeral Home
July 27, 2017
Praying for your family and remembering a wonderful Christian man
Ferran Bertrand
Family
July 25, 2017
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