Eunice Lucille Petit Belfield

1923 - 2018

Eunice Lucille Petit Belfield, age 94, and a lifelong resident of New Orleans passed away onto Glory on Friday April 20, 2018 in the comfort of her 7th ward home surrounded by family. Mrs. Belfield was born on December 18, 1923 at 10:35 p.m. at 1721 Columbus Street, New Orleans Louisiana to the union of the late Walter Petit, Sr. and the late Ernestine Augustin Petit. She was the 11th child of 17 children born to the union and the only girl to live past the age of 7 along with her four brothers; Walter Petit, Jr. - (Deceased), Withlaw St. Clair Petit, Sr.-(Deceased), Marren Petit (Affectionately known as Nookie – Deceased) and Anthony Petit (Gloria) of Oakland California. She also has one half-brother Alvin Petit Sr. (Ulla) of New Orleans, Louisiana. Eunice Lucille Petit Belfield began her early education attending Valencia C. Jones Elementary School in New Orleans. She is a 1941 graduate of McDonald #35 Senior High School. She met and married the love of her life Edgar Belfield Sr. of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and traveled the United States and abroad as the wife of a United States Service man and was stationed for some time in Okinawa, Japan. Of that union six (6) children were born: Olander Belfield Holloway (Robert – Deceased), Edgar Belfield, Jr. – Deceased (Yvonne), Barbara Belfield Dykes, David Belfield III (Angela), Clarisse Belfield Godfrey, Dominick Belfield (Stephanie). When her brother Withlaw lost his wife at an early age and left him with five young children to raise, Eunice opened her home and assisted in raising her six (6) nieces and nephews Martha, Sigrid, Withlaw, Jr., Eunice, Valene, and Thaddeus as if they were her own, showering them with the motherly love that they would have never experienced due to the loss of their mother. Eunice Lucille Petit Belfield established herself as an artisan in the art of costume design and embarked on a long and distinguished career as one of the premiere costume designers of Mardi Gras. For over 56 years she was the head seamstress for the Krewe of Proteus, one of the oldest Mardi Gras Krewes in the city. She also worked for many other Mardi Gras Krewes throughout the carnival season including the World-Famous Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Inc. where her costumes won numerous awards in the early 1970's. She also designed a number of King Costumes for the Krewe of Nomtoc and perhaps the one costume that she poured her heart and soul into, the making of her son's costume as he reigned as King Zulu 1994 – David Belfield III. Eunice Lucille Petit Belfield is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Ernestine Petit Sr., her husband Edgar Belfield Sr., her brothers John, Milton, Walter, Earl, Withlaw, Marren, Rolland, Sherman and Rodney. Sisters Olander, Barbara, Dorothy, Shirley and Bernice. She is also preceded in death by her eldest son Edgar Belfield Jr. and recently her grandsons Daryle Stephen Holloway and Charles Edward Dykes Jr. She is also preceded in death by her devoted dear friend and neighbor Ms. Onelia B. Adams, friend Evelyn Cordier and fellow seamstress Myrtle Payton. Eunice Lucille Petit Belfield leaves to cherish her memories her daughters Olander, Barbara, Clarisse, Martha (Ervin), Sigrid, Eunice, Valene and Cynthia; her sons David (Angela), Dominick (Stephanie), Withlaw and Thaddeus. Friend Margaret Wellans. She also leaves behind her brothers Anthony (Gloria) and Alvin (Eula), her devoted niece Joan Ann Humprey, life-long devoted family member Mary Cornelia Broyard Reine (92 years young), 18 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends that she has met along this wonderful life' journey of 94 years. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2000 St. Bernard Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116. Visitation will begin at 11:30 am. Interment will follow the services at St. Louis Cemetery #3, Esplanade Avenue. Arrangements entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Home.