Percy Luke Morvant

Percy Luke Morvant, born Jan. 9, 1927, followed the angels who came to take him home Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at 12:10 a.m., after a brief battle with cancer. He was 82. He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife, Lorella Champagne Morvant, and his four children, Craig Morvant and wife Pam, of New Orleans, Karen Morvant Elkins and husband Horace, of Baton Rouge, Nelson Morvant and wife Denise, of Prairieville, and Dana Morvant and wife Betty Jo, of Metairie. He was blessed by his grandchildren and their spouses, Dr. Jason Morvant and wife Allison, Libby Morvant Schick and husband Joe, Jeffery Morvant and wife Lauren, Susan Elkins, Lauren Elkins, Charles Morvant, Sarah Morvant and James Morvant. He was doubly blessed by great-grandchildren, Ben and Camille Morvant and Stella Schick. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Edgar and Julia Morvant; parents, Nelson and Louise Diaz Morvant, who were of Labadieville; brothers, Milton "Frank" Morvant and Leroy Morvant; and sister, Irene Morvant Thibodeaux. He is also survived by a brother, Elton "Johnny" Morvant; and sister, Eunice Morvant Himel. He was a native of Labadieville and a child of the Great Depression. After high school graduation, Percy joined the U.S. Army Air Forces, went to basic training at Fort Chaffee, Ark., and served in Guam as a military policeman. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal for his contribution to the war effort. Following his completion of military service and honorable military discharge, Percy returned to Louisiana and married Lorella Champagne of Raceland. In 1948, he graduated from Soule Business College and took additional coursework at Delgado College and Tulane University, New Orleans. He was safety director for Standard Dredging Corp. and safety director-personnel manager of Zapata Corp. After attaining 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus of Destrehan Council 3634, Percy became a faithful parishioner and choir member of St. Christopher Church, Metairie, for 20 years and most recently had been a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church, Waggaman, for 29 years. Percy will always be remembered for his boundless love and compassion for family and friends. He had a special gift of visiting the sick and helping others in their time of need. After retirement from the business world, Percy turned his talents to helping build the parish of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, Waggaman, under former pastor Paul Nguyen. His selfless dedication to the church earned him the Order of Saint Louis Medallion. His Catholic faith set the example for many family and friends. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Mark Kappleman and the nurses and staff at Ochsner Hospital, Westbank campus, for their relentless effort. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Mothe Funeral Home, 7040 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, Waggaman, on Monday from 9 a.m. until funeral Mass at 11 a.m. celebrated by the Rev. Curtis Thomas. Interment in Garden of Memories, Metairie. For directions or further information, call (504) 366-4343.