Mathilda (Barre') Allen

Mathilda “Ma Teel” Barre’ Allen

September 24, 1927 – December 1, 2022

John 11:25

I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me though he dies yet shall he live.

Mathilda Barre’ Allen peacefully succumbed to God’s will and transitioned from her earthly life in her daughter’s home in Desoto, Texas on Thursday, December 1, 2022.  In her last days, she was surrounded by those who loved her most, her family.

On September 24, 1927, God sent an angel to the late Edward Barre and Denise Morris Barre’. They named her Mathilda, but she became known to many who loved her as Teel, Maat, and Ma Teel. Her parents dedicated Mathilda to God through baptism at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edgard, LA.  Throughout her life she praised and glorified God as a devout Catholic. Her faith inspired her children and grandchildren to live their lives as part of a God-loving and God-fearing family.

As a teen Mathilda worked for her father who was a sharecropper. As a young woman she moved to New Orleans where she and her best friend Betty Hilaire worked at a sewing factory.  Mathilda moved home to Edgard where she married her husband Talford Peter “Zeke” Allen on April 3, 1948. Their love produced six children: Jeanne Hawkins (John), Deborah Graham (Charles), Alice Williams (David), Glenda Allen-Norris, Talford Allen (Wilma), and Rodney Allen (Diane).  She was the proud and loving grandmother of thirteen grandchildren: Melanie Hawkins, Damien Hawkins (Kareeme), Felecia Long (Earl), Melissa Struebing (William), Kimberly McGowen (D’Arcy), April Shafer (Shawn), Etienne Joseph III, Brandon Joseph (Dana), Justin Norris, Chassity Sullivan (David), Courtney Madkins (Jeromie), Rodney Allen Jr. (Latrice), and Raquel Allen.  She was also blessed with twenty great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Mathilda devoted her life to caring for her family.

Mathilda worked as a housekeeper, laundered clothing, and served as a substitute cook at Edgard High School, all to help her children through college and vocational school.  During her earthly years, large family gatherings on holidays and on her birthdays provided numerous opportunities for her family to show her how much they cherished and adored her.

After the death of her husband in 2002, she lived in Edgard for nine years where her nieces and nephews kept an eye on her and supported her in her activities at the St. John Parish Senior Recreation Center. In 2011 she moved to Dallas, TX, to join her children. There, she served God at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and spent many pleasant days sharing memories and playing bingo with friends at the Desoto Senior Citizens Center.

 Mathilda is survived by her half-sister Philomena Lumar, and sisters-in-law Bishop Ella (Henry) O’Neil, Margaret (the late McChurty) Allen and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mathilda was preceded in death by her husband Talford, her parents Edward and Denise Barre’; her siblings, Rose Isaac, Ethel Borne, Lou Washington, Claire Borne, Claude Barre and her godchild Hope Hilaire-Charlot.  She was the sister-in-law of the late Jerome (Georgiana) Allen, Thomas (Vivian) Allen , Victoria(Leroy) Bailey,  and Ursula (Warren, Sr.) Hilaire, Ida Mae Turner, and Floretta(Leslie)McCray.

Mathilda “Teel” Barre’ Allen can affectionately be described as a devout Catholic, a loving wife, a protective and supportive mother, a fiercely independent woman, a caring and giving spirit, a hard worker, and an angel who walked among us.

Mathilda desired one thing in life and by God’s grace was able to achieve her goal. That goal can simply be described as “the need to be” the unique, determined, dutiful, independent, loving, Christian woman God created her to be.

Those who knew her well knew her most cherished possessions were her Gladys Knight CDs, her favorite spiritual was "His Eye Is on the Sparrow", and her favorite songs were Midnight Train to Georgia and The Need to Be. They also remember some of the words of wisdom she shared on more than one occasion:  “Ya'll better learn to get along”, “You don't throw children away”,  “Give it to God ’cause He can handle it quicker and better than you can”,” Pray …. every day”.

Mathilda Barre’ Allen - Cherished, Admired, and Sorely Missed!

Relatives, friends of the family, Priest, Officers and Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and all neighboring churches are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 10, 2022, 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2349 LA -18, Edgard, LA  70049.  Rev. Robustiano Morgia-Celebrant.  In accordance with the CDC guidelines for COVID-19 mask are suggested for all in attendance and please practice social distancing.  Visitation 8:00 am at the above-named church until time of Mass.  Recitation of the Rosary 9:00 am.  Interment St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.  Final Arrangements Entrusted to Patrick H. Sanders Funeral Home & Funeral Directors, Inc.  605 Main Street, LaPlace, LA  70068.  For information 985-359-1919.  “Providing Care and Comfort is Our Highest Mission”.

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