Reggie Lee Pevey

Reggie Lee Pevey, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Richard Murphy Hospice House on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the age of 97. He was born on December 26, 1927, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, the son of the late Reginald Lee Pevey and Jena Marie Panzica Pevey. Reggie graduated from St. Anthony Catholic School in Beaumont, Texas where he was captain of the football team during his senior year. He joined the military in 1945 and proudly served the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsage. Reggie attended Louisiana State University studying education and worked in the athletic training room until he graduated in 1951. God's plan would place him in Ponchatoula where he got his first job in education at Ponchatoula High School in 1952 as the football coach. Reggie attended daily Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church and would meet the love of his life there. Reggie taught at Ponchatoula High School, Maurepas High School, and was teacher and assistant principal at Martha Vineyard Elementary School. Reggie and his wife established Pevey Realtors and Appraisers in Ponchatoula in 1972, which his son, David still operates. He was a pillar of the community in so many ways including being the former president of the Kiwanis Club in Ponchatoula, a charter member of the Knights of Columbus No. 4874, member of the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce, and he lead the youth sports sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. He also served as the 1990 Louisiana Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal. Reggie has been a devoted parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1952. He loved to share his faith with everyone he met. Many were blessed to receive one of his hand made rosary prayer bracelets from the Job's tears plants he grew himself. Reggie never failed to witness and pray with people and his faith is his enduring legacy.

Reggie is survived by his seven children, Paul Pevey (Angela), Janet Collier, John Pevey (Terri), Diane Pepitone (Terry), Susan McHugh (Tim), David Pevey, and Dennis Pevey (Jerri); 25 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Reggie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Oresta Frances Drude Pevey; great-granddaughter, Lillian Foret; brother, Robert Pevey; sister, Jeannette Farnie; son-in-law, Terrill Collier; and daughter-in-law, Jeanette Pevey.

Family and friends will be received at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 255 North 8th Street, Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454 on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Visitation will continue at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 11:00 am, with Fr. Paul McDuffie officiating.

Entombment will follow at Rosaryville Cemetery in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Reggie Pevey's name to the Richard Murphy Hospice House at www.richardmurphy hospice.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home and Crematory of Hammond and Ponchatoula. An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.