Obituary of Louisa Catherine "Mama Lou" Petrus

Louisa Catherine Pilkinton Petrus "Mama Lou" One of the most outstanding community leaders in the last half-century, Louisa P. Petrus, was known to most as Mama Lou died peacefully on October 27, 2006. She was born on August 25, 1921, in West Monroe, LA to Howard and Nettye Pilkinton. In 1936 the family moved to Pasadena, TX. Louisa graduated from and received post-graduate degrees in bookkeeping and journalism from Pasadena High School in 1938. In 1940, she and her husband, Connie, became partners for life and in the hardware business, owners and operators of Bastrop Feed and Seed. In addition to being an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, she was responsible for beginning the church building fund in the 1940's. In 1970, she was co-founder of the Morehouse Substance Abuse Office. Twice she served as president of service sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. She also was chosen as "Girl of the Year" in 1989 and as Valentine Queen in 1998. Ms. Petrus was chairman of the first Bastrop Beautification Committee in 1975. In 1976, she chaired the Bi-Centennial Celebration activities, won the Nathan Bolton Community Service Award, and was the Chamber of Commerce's "Mrs. Morehouse." During the eighties, she was President and Memorial Fund Chairman of the Morehouse Chapter of the American Heart Association, received the "Volunteer of the Year" award from Cherry Ridge Guest Care, was a member of the Cotton Country Players, received the Chamber of Commerce's "Top Hand" award and in 1998, she was the first woman president of the Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce. In 1991, the Chamber of Commerce honored her with the "Spirit, Pride, and Progress" Award. In 1996, she was the chairman of the Morehouse/Rose Arts and Crafts, she won the Distinguished Service Award from the local ARC chapter. Ms. Petrus reigned as the Co-Marshall of the North Louisiana Cotton Festival Parade in 2000, honoring her as the most outstanding community leader in the last half century. In addition to her commitment to her community and to her business, Mama Lou found time to be an integral part of her children's, grandchildren's and great grandchildren's lives. Being totally family oriented, she led by example in the areas of setting and achieving goals in religion, education, and personal development. Ms. Petrus is survived by her three daughters, Louisa Kay Chadwick of Lafayette, LA, Eileen Elizabeth Hobbs and husband Glen of Longview, TX, Cheryl Ann Nicholson and husband Michael of Monroe, LA; two sons, Samuel David Petrus and wife Martha of Bastrop, LA, Joseph Hal Petrus and wife Linda of Bastrop, LA; brother, Howard Lee Pilkinton, Jr. of Temple, TX; seventeen grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Constant Leon Petrus and a son, Constant Lee Petrus. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday October 30, 2006 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Mark Watson officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 5-7 p.m. at Golden Funeral Home with a Rosary service to be held at 7 p.m. with Father Dariusz Pawlowski officiating. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Frank Eugene Chadwick, Jr., Beau Petrus Chadwick, Christopher David Petrus, Eric Channing Petrus, Jason Constant Petrus, Joseph Scott Petrus, Joseph Preston Petrus, and Jonathan Morgan Nicholson. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Justin Petrus Cox, Eric Michael Nicholson, Ryan Curtis Petrus, and Rodger Oswalt Cox. Special thanks to her caregivers, Rosie, Jackee, Sharon, Marie, Jean, Marie and Debbie from Senior Care and Hearts Desire. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Rose Theater or the American Heart Association.