Allen ‘Black’ Oubre Sr.
St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 4 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville for Allen Joseph “Black” Oubre, Sr. who passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.
The family requested visiting hours be observed from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 22nd.
A rosary was recited by his son-in-law, Sim, at 2 p.m.
Entombment followed at St. Michael Mausoleum in St. Martinville.
Father Bill John Melancon officiated the Funeral Mass. Scriptures were read by Kristen O. Durand and Jenna Oubre. A special musical selection was sung by Patrick Menard, accompanied by organist, Pat Melancon.
Born on January 28, 1932, along with his twin brother Alton, at home, Allen’s life was filled unwavering commitment to his family and farming. He was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville. When he could no longer attend Mass, he faithfully watched daily Mass on EWTN.
“Black” was a farmer by trade. He was an active member of Cajun Sugar CO-OP. He planted sugar cane and rice and farmed crawfish. In the early years, he also worked on oil platforms. Where you saw Black, you saw his old gray Dodge truck. He was so proud of that truck he often bragged about how good it had been to him all those years. Even though given many opportunities to purchase a new one, he always said no. He always wore a flannel shirt and blue jeans, with pen, paper and his cell phone in his pocket. He proudly wore his Oubre Farms hat, with Crawfish and Rice, St. Martinville, LA on the embroidered patch. He was a sixth-generation farmer, and his sons, Burt and Buddy proudly carried the tradition to the seventh generation, and now his grandson, Jason will carry Oubre Farming to the eighth generation.
Black loved to hunt and belonged to the Catahoula Hunting club. He was an avid thoroughbred horse racing fan. When asked which horse could win the race, he could tell you the bloodline of each horse and then let you make your own choice. He also was a great joke teller who enjoyed making people laugh. He also contributed to many worthwhile charitable organizations like St. Jude, Children’s Advocacy groups and those serving wounded soldiers. He was a member of the Cajun Dancers, along with his wife, Ethel. Together they loved to travel with their children and followed Blackie Forriestier wherever he played his good old Cajun music. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Farmer award in 2005 from the Creole Farmer’s Market committee.
Black met the love of his life, Ethel, and they married in 1952. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and often expressed how proud he was of all of their accomplishments. He left a letter to each of his children, dated 1974, which was discovered and read after he passed. He always purchased the most beautiful greeting cards and kept all that were given to him. He will be dearly missed by all who had the honor of knowing and loving him.
Survivors include his three children, Brenda O. Courville and her husband, Sim, Burt Oubre and his wife, Arleen, and Allen “Buddy” Oubre, Jr. and his wife, Renee, all of St. Martinville; two brothers-in-law, Louis Gary and his wife, Elsie, and Wilfred Gary, of Parks; six grandchildren Casie, Jason (Lindsey), Jenna, Kristen (Gregg), Alex (Mandi) and Ryan (Lani); and eight great-grandchildren, Emma and Evan Oubre, Shepard Dupuis, Tucker Oubre, Owen and Sloane Durand and Mary and Claire Oubre. He is also survived by his sister, Mildred “Penny” O. Langlinais.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Ethel Gary Oubre; his parents, Otto and Louise Boutte Oubre; brothers, Murphy Oubre and wife, Gladys, Alton Oubre (his twin) and his wife, Bobbie; his sister, Doris O. Decoux and her husband, Ned; brother-in-law, Hugh Langlinais; and sister-in-law, Hilda Gary; along with his grandparents, Sidney and Cora Boutte and Ulyesse and Edmonia Dugas Oubre; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Pallbearers were Allen “Buddy” Oubre, Burt Oubre, Alex Oubre, Jason Oubre, Ryan Oubre, and Gregg Durand.
Honorary pallbearers were Sim Courville, Louis Gary, Wilfred Gary, and Mark Oubre.
His family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Michael Alexander for his care over the years, and Allison Eastin Champagne, Joy, Kristen and Steve with Hospice of Acadiana for their compassionate care and concern given provided to Black and his family. A very special thanks to Father Ed Degeyter who came to visit him at home on Thursday, gave him Absolution, Anointing of the Sick and the Apostolic Blessing. You will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Hospice of Acadiana.
Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville, 112 New Market St, St. Martinville, LA 70582 337-332-2111, was in charge of arrangements.
(Pd.Adv.)