Lela Lejeune

b. 17 August 1908, d. 5 July 2003
  • Lela Lejeune was born on 17 August 1908 in Louisiana.
  • Joseph Taylor LeJeune and Rita Morvant appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Breaux Bridge, Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana, and also children Roland, Labon, and Joseph T., Jr., not yet recorded.. Other members of the household included Lela Lejeune.
  • She married John Leonard Abercrombie, son of James Buford Abercrombie and Evelina Wood, say 1929.
  • Various members of the Abercrombie family were listed in the 1937 Houston City Directory.
  • Lela Lejeune became a widow at the 14 January 1986 death of her husband.
  • The SSDI lists Houston, Harris County, Texas, as the last residence of record of Lela Lejeune.
  • Lela Lejeune died on 5 July 2003 at age 94.
  • The following appeared on 20 July 2003 in the Houston Chronicle: Lela LeJeune Abercrombie Barkley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt entered eternal life on Saturday, July 5, 2003, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. The daughter of Rita Morvant and Joseph Taylor LeJeune, she was born August 17, 1908, in Breaux Bridge, LA, and grew up in New Iberia. She married the late John Leonard Abercrombie and moved to Houston, TX, in 1931 and was later married T. Paul Barkley in 1958. St. Mary of the Purification and Holy Rosary were early family parishes. Mrs. Barkley was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and brothers: Roland, Labon, John, Joseph Taylor (J.T.), and Benson LeJeune; sons-in-law Earl D. McMahan, Jr. and William M. Gillespie; special family friend Fr. Francis Monaghan, C.S.B., and many beloved friends. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Lela Anne and Jere Wiseman of Germantown, TN, son Rev. Jamie M. Abercrombie, C.S.B., and daughter Lynn Abercrombie Gillespie; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; her sister, Rita LeJeune Haggard; brother and sister-in-law Robert (Bobby) R. and Barbara LeJeune, and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Jean Saaman and Dr. John Gallagher and the staff at St. Dominic Village Nursing Home for the excellent care Mrs. Barkley received during the past 7 years, with special accolades to Ms. Rose Gaitu and all those at Station 1. Your devotion, loving touch, compassion, and constant vigil were a source of strength for our family. Her final days were also blessed by the caring presence of the Vitas Hospice staff. She willed her body to the Living Bank and/or UT Health Science Center fulfilling her desire to help those who remain on earth and her wishes were honored. A celebration of Lela's ninety-four years on earth and entrance into eternal life will be held on Saturday, July 26th at 11:00 a.m. at her last home parish, St. Anne's Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer at Shepherd, with Mass celebrated by her son, Fr. Jamie Abercrombie, and concelebrated by his fellow priests. Our family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent to St. Dominic Village, c/o Ms. Susan Stromatt, Executive Director, 2401 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77021; to the William M. Gillespie Scholarship Fund, St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77009; St. Jude Children's Hospital, ALSAC, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101, Attn. Memorial Fund; or the charity of your choice. Thank you.
  • The following appeared in the St. Thomas High School Alumni Newsletter, Eagle's Nest: Lela LeJeune Abercrombie Barkley died July 5, 2003, mother of Fr. Jamie Abercrombie, C.S.B. '56, mother-in-law of the late William Gillespie '54 and grandmother of Wm. M. Gillespie '88.
  • Last Edited: 14 Jun 2012

Family: John Leonard Abercrombie b. 15 August 1897, d. 14 January 1986