Mrs. Lula Beatrice Chatman

Obituary “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness... II Timothy 4:7-8 Funeral services will be held at 11:00 on Friday, February 18, 2022 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, LA. Interment will be at St. Landry Mausoleum in Opelousas, LA. Fr. Lambert Lein, S.V.D., Pastor of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, will be officiating the funeral mass. Visiting will begin on Friday, February, 18, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Opelousas, LA. The Ladies Auxillary Knights of Peter Claver will perform ritual at 9:30 a.m. and the rosary to follow. In the evening hours of February 12, 2022, God in his infinite wisdom, while strolling through his flower garden, spotted a beautiful delicate red rose in full bloom situated in the midst of the heavenly garden. That was just ripe for the plucking. This beautiful red rose was tagged, “Lula Beatrice Milburn Chatman.” Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt has heard “Well Done” of the Lord and has entered the joys of His reward. She departed this life at 9:30 p.m. at her home surrounded by her family. December 27, 1932 was a very special day; for on this day, a beautiful baby girl was born to two loving parents—the late Elizabeth Thompson and Earl Milburn, Sr. This beautiful baby girl as delicate as a rose was named Lula Beatrice Milburn. Lula graduated from St. Landry Training School in 1951 and went on to further her education at Southern University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. A lifelong educator, she taught elementary school at Teche Elementary School, Paul S. Dunbar, and Southwest Elementary for 36 years. Lula met and married the late Aloysius J. Chatman, Sr. and to this union seven children were born. She was a faithful and dedicated member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church where she loved working at the church and praising the Lord. She taught Religious Education Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes for many years, worked tirelessly with the Holy Ghost’s Creole Festival, and sang in the Adult Choir. She was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Peter Claver 3rd and 4th Degree and Mary’s Sodality. She also sat on two boards: St. Landry Parish Federal Credit Union and the Holy Trinity Villa. Lula was an active member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association, (LRTA), Retired Educators Association, Retired Teachers Association, Secretary for Life Champions Organization, Treasurer for AARP St. Landry Pioneers, and was a member of Black Unity and Spiritual Togetherness (BUST) that was started by Fr. Albert J. McKnight. Lula loved spending time with her family, volunteering, laughing and always wearing a smile on her face. She was an avid traveller and had a passion for flowers and gardening. She was a loving and caring person, devoted wife, mother, friend always thinking of other first. “To know her was to love her.” Lula leaves in God’s care and to cherish her memory, five daughters: Sharon McGee (Arthur) of New Orleans, LA, Lillian Anthony (Kevin) of St. Louis, MO, Julia King (Tim) of Lafayette, LA, Erica Chatman of New Iberia, LA and Rhonda Carter (Craig) of McKinney, TX; two sons, Aloysius J. Chatman, Jr. (Carol) of Phoenix, AZ and Eric Chatman (Tamiko) of Opelousas, LA; six sisters: Alverda Goins (Richard) of Opelousas, LA, Marilyn Williams of Shreveport, LA, Carrie B. Hawkins (Richard) of Keithville, LA, Constance M. Stringfellow (Bill) of Moreno Valley, CA, Diane Leath (Jimmy) of Greensboro, NC; three brothers, Andra Thompson (Catherine) of Baton Rouge, LA, Columbus Thompson (Linda) of Pensacola, FL, and Curley Milburn (Joyce) of Opelousas, LA; 15 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Lula was preceded in death by her husband Aloysius J. Chatman, Sr.; parents Earl Milburn, Sr. and Elizabeth Thompson; two brothers, Earl Milburn, Jr. and Jerry Thompson; sisters Elvira Dundy, Rose M. Hughes, Teddie Taylor, Wilma Ford, Velma Thompson, and Jo Ella Stewart. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the church home Lula was devoted to and loved dearly, Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 747 N. Union St., Opelousas, LA 70570, (337) 942-2732. Contributions may also be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association http://www.apdaparkinson.org. Donations may be mailed to: PO Box 61420 Staten Island NY 10306 800-223-2732 Funeral service will be livestreamed at this link https://www.hgcatholic.org/ Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 337-942-2037.

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Mrs. Lula Beatrice Chatman

December 27, 1932 - February 12, 2022