Edna Mae Devillier Leonards, 94, of Winnie, died Thursday, July 25, 2013. She was born October 18, 1918, at the Devillier homestead, out on the “Winnie Prairie”, to Argentine Rivette Devillier and Oscar Devillier.
Edna Mae was raised between Winnie, and Crowley, Louisiana. She married Ferdinand Leonards on February 18, 1941, and soon after, they moved to their home to Winnie. Edna Mae and Ferdie were pioneer farmers, raising rice in Chambers County. You could always see Edna Mae driving a load of rice from the field to the rice mill or bringing food out to the field workers. She was always ready to greet you with good conversation and a chuckle to make your day better. They had the first water buffalo in the area and delighted in having people stop by to see these novel animals.
She enjoyed talking about her life on the prairie, the farming history of Winnie, and was always ready to share words of wisdom. She would look forward every year to the Devillier family reunion and marvel at all the families accomplishments, She was proud of her family and their heritage.
Edna Mae was very involved in getting St Louis Catholic Church started for the Winnie community. She was even present as the first load of concrete was being poured for the existing sanctuary, checking on the progress of construction, and making sure all went as planned.
Mrs. Leonards was always soliciting support for her beloved church. People she approached were never able to say no to her requests for donations of time or money. A woman of devout faith, she was a charter member of the St Louis Altar Society, Catholic Daughters, taught CCD, and for many years was St. Louis’ Sacristan. She was never one to turn down a request that supported her beloved church and religious community.
She was very active in the annual Texas Rice Festival, for fundraising, and working diligently with the preparations of the gumbo and rice balls for the church booth.
When she was not involved in farming or church activities, she would be at home, working on picture puzzles. Many of the intricate pictures she would have framed and give away to family members. As proof of her giving spirit, she had a table in her home with items that she was ready to part with. Visitors to her home always made a point to check Aunt Mae’s table to see what goodies she had to offer.
She touched the lives of so many people through the years, leaving a lasting impression on those that knew and loved her dearly.
She is survived by her husband of seventy two years, Ferdinand Leonards. Even though she never had children of her own, she surrounded and showered her many nieces and nephews with love and a wealth of valuable advice. In addition to Ferdinand, she is survived by her brother, Robert Devillier, and his wife, Theresa, of Winnie; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John Oscar Devillier, Roland Devillier, Joseph Edgar Devillier, Adam “Doc” Devillier; sisters, Celina (Nina) Woodson and Theresa Brown.
A gathering of Mrs. Leonards’ family and friends will be from 8:30 a.m. until service time, with a Rosary recited prior to her Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 29, 2013, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie, under the direction of Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Mrs. Leonards’ name to St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas 77665.
