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Lea Ray Leonard Pitre passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on June 11, 2024 in Starkville, MS. She has now joined her beloved husband, Dr. Henry Nolle Pitre, Jr. and her Lord and Savior in Heaven.
Lea was born on January 10, 1939 in New Orleans, LA the daughter of the late Raymond Dominique and Lela Marie Braud Leonard. Lea graduated from Mount Carmel Catholic High School in Lafayette, LA. After receiving an associate degree at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, she met the love of her life, Henry. They married and moved to Madison, WI where Henry completed his PhD and subsequently was recruited to Mississippi State University (MSU) Starkville, MS where they spent the rest of their life together. She received her BA and MBA from MSU and worked as an executive administrative assistant in the Extension Service at MSU.
Lea was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. A longtime resident of Starkville, She was a faithful communicant at St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1965. She served her church through many volunteer activities. She was a consummate Southern hostess and enjoyed dancing with Henry at the various social functions. Some of her hobbies included crocheting, shopping, and international travel. Lea was an active member of the local tennis league and supported the MSUniversity Tennis Boosters Club.
She loved attending MSU baseball games with her family and friends in the infamous Left Field Lounge over the past five decades. Henry and Lea enjoyed dinners and activities at the Starkville Country Club. After Henry’s passing Lea had the sole joyful responsibility of doting on her two granddaughters, Kendall and Camille Pitre as they both attended MSU in Starkville. She enjoyed playing cards throughout the years and will miss her “Bunco Babes.”
Lea is survived by her son, Dr. Brian R. Pitre, MD and his wife, Dr. D’Ette Lorio Pitre, MD of Ocean Springs, MS; and son Keith A. Pitre of Magnolia, MS; granddaughters, Kendall and Camille Pitre, both of Ocean Springs.
Family and friends are invited to the Visitation Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 10:30am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Starkville, MS with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Columbarium services will follow at the church.
