Ora Gautreaux

Ora Therese Mary Gautreaux, 87, died Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 6:30 PM. She was a native and resident of Houma, LA.   Visitation will be held Monday, July 4, 2016 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 1830 Prospect Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service.   She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Harold Joseph Gautreaux; sons, Stephen LeCompte and wife, Janice Richard, and Mark LeCompte and wife, Cheryl Migues; Stepson, Carl Gautreaux; grandchildren, Ryan, Stephen Jr. and Eric LeCompte, and Allison Terry; great-grandchildren, Coby, Katheryn, Analia and Carter LeCompte.   She was preceded in death by her 1st husband of 7 years, Junius LeCompte; parents, Arthur Sr. and Aureline Eschete Voclain; brothers, Arthur Jr., Anthony "Billy", and  Olton Voclain; and sisters, Hilda V. Chatagnier, Mildred V. Eschete and Mayola V. Herndon.   Ora learned from her mother how to care for people when they were sick or  dying. On numerous occasions she helped and cared for relatives and friends.  She loved comforting people and giving of herself.  Ora loved to sew. She sewed garments for adults, their children and their  grandchildren. She made dolls, dressed them and would give them away to  relatives and friends. She was a talented and generous seamstress.   She grew up in Terrebonne Parish. In 1942, at 14 years of age, she and her  parents began to associate with Jehovah's Witnesses. She was baptized in 1943. The only congregation outside New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Gulf of  Mexico was the one formed in Houma in 1937. There were only 13 that went door to door preaching in 1942 and she joined that group. She also publicly witnessed on a Main Street corner by the courthouse in  downtown Houma during World War II when many from the bayous would come  to town on Saturdays for shopping and entertainment. She spent much of her time witnessing to people about the "good news of the kingdom" and the comfort  it will bring. Many responded to her and others' efforts. Members became not just churchgoers but evangelizers following the example of Jesus Christ. As she neared her death, she was able to reflect on how much growth there has  been in this area over the years. Just in the Houma-Thibodeaux area, there is one  sign-language group, one Spanish congregation, and eight English congregations. There are also other cities where she preached that have many congregations of  Jehovah's Witnesses. She also felt much satisfaction in knowing that all of her  children and grandchildren are busy doing the same work she did and have the hope of seeing her in paradise.   The family wishes to thank the staff and her friends at Bayou Towers for their  kindness and friendship over the years, Chabert Hospital doctors and staff for their help over her final years, Heritage Manor and St. Catherine's Hospice staff for their care in her final days. We also thank our many brothers and sisters in the  faith and our relatives and friends for their love and support now and over the  years.  Chauvin Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the Gautreaux family.