Elvan Bourque

Elvan Bourque, 89, of Woodville, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. 

Elvan was born May 1, 1934, in Leroy, Louisiana to Alcee and Talita Bourque.  He served 2 years as a Private in the military, working with the development of drones and as a Radio Man. He deeply loved his Catholic faith and was involved in the Knights of Columbus for 60 years. An excellent cook, he enjoyed sharing that talent for them on most all occasions. He was also well known for his famous "white gravy" breakfast for the IOPA in his Ivanhoe community and his "rice dressing" was always in high demand at family gatherings.

Elvan loved being outdoors fishing, hunting, and camping. He especially enjoyed being part of a Good Sam's camping group where he made special, lifelong friends. The love of the outdoors was apparent as he took great pride and care of his lawn and garden. He and his loving wife Jeanette of 69 years enjoyed traveling whenever possible, even more so when friends and family could join along.

Elvan was preceded in death by his parents, Alcee and Talita Bourque; daughter, Theresa Dale; grandsons, Braxton St. Laurent, Tre’Arceneaux and Stormy Arceneaux; niece, Renee’ Bourque; nephews, Jeffrey Bourque, Ray Racca, Daniel Racca and Larry Racca; sisters, Lula Mae LaPointe, Mayola Racca, and Marie Joyce Miller; brother, Farres Bourque; and brothers in law, Rodney Bernard Christ and R.D. Davis.

He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Jeannette Bourque of Hamshire, Texas; daughters, Angela Moody of Austin and Felecia St. Laurent and husband, Roger of Sebring, Florida; son, Joel Elvan Bourque of Hamshire; sisters, Jeanette Leger and husband Elroy of Arlington and Clara Davis of Baytown, Texas; brother, Lercy Bourque and wife, Rose Mary of Charleston, South Carolina; grandchildren, William Nolan Moody and Garrett Vincent Moody both of Austin, Joel Elvan Bourque of Winnie, Arabella St. Laurent of Sebring, Florida, and Terry Arceneaux and Stoney Arceneaux of Hamshire; great-grandchildren, Kayley and Kiley Lane Burke and Riley, Gracie and L.T Arceneaux; and great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Wrenlee, and Auden Rodriguez.

Visitation will be 10 a.m., Monday, May 6, 2024, followed by a rosary service at 11 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m., all at the Riley Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville, Texas.  Burial will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Woodville. 

Serving as pallbearers will be Joel Elvan Bourque II, Wayne LaPointe, Clifford Miller, Billy Kolander, Raylan Davis and Russell Davis.

Services will be under the direction of Riley Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elvan Bourque, please visit our floral store.