Cleveland Carmouche, Jr.

Funeral Mass for Cleveland Carmouche, Jr., 79 of Cottonport, will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021 beginning at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church in Cottonport with Fr. John Wiltse officiating. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s No. 2 Cemetery in Cottonport.

Cleveland Carmouche, Jr. began his working career in the oil fields of Texas. Where he worked very hard. He then returned to Avoyelles Parish where he met and married his wife, Mary Ann Carmouche of Cottonport on Nov. 6, 1965. At that time, he worked for Tom McNab at the gas company in Bunkie. After several years of working for the gas company, Cleveland & Mary Ann purchased a small grocery store and later a fish market in Cottonport. During this time, Cleveland and Mary Ann started a loving family. They had two girls, Shalane Fontenot & Wendy Adams.

While working in the grocery store, customers kept encouraging Cleveland to get involved in local politics, so he ran for town alderman and won. He loved his 4 years as an alderman and wanting to do more for the people. He later became mayor & served for 24 years. It was a high point on his life. He was able to make a difference in the town and helped the people of Cottonport who he loved so much. He had many accomplishments as mayor. He organized the Avoyelles Parish Mayor’s Association and was the first president of the association. He was instrumental in the building the Cottonport Museum. He organized the Cottonport Women’s Committee and Veteran’s Memorial. Cleveland worked hard on getting the grants to build the Sarah William’s Park in Cottonport and the walking track. He worked to get grants to put in new water wells and the fire station that serves the people of Cottonport.

Cleveland was an usher for 40 years at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonport. He was a man with lots of faith for God and enjoyed serving Him as an usher in the church. You could always find him in the back of the church at the Sunday 9:30 Mass saying his rosary before the service. Cleveland also raised cattle and had a crawfish pond. He had a passion for both. When he was not working at City Hall, he was either taking care of his cows or at the crawfish pond. He enjoyed being in nature so much. He felt at peace when he was working with the cows or in the swamp. Cleveland was a man that was never afraid of hard work. If he could help you, he would, if not he would tell you honestly that he could not. He was faithful, loving and kind man. He never met a stranger. He loved to talk and witness to people about Jesus either in French or in English. It did not matter to him. He enjoyed joking with people and making them laugh.

His family held the biggest part of his heart. He was always there for his wife, kids, grandkids, step-grandkids, and step-great-grandson. He enjoyed going hunting with the grandkids and crawfishing. He loved hanging out with his family and just spending quality time telling stories of his life and making memories.  You work is done here on Earth, so walk through that gate with endless green pastures. No more tears and no more suffering, for God’s faithful servant has returned home.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Mary Ann (Cullen) Carmouche of Cottonport; daughters, Shalane Fontenot (Keith) of Vidrine and Wendy Adams (Matthew) of Cottonport; sisters, Doris Parks of Marksville, Shelia Chatelain (Ronald) of Marksville, and Rachel Walker (Eddie) of Deville; brothers, Jerry Carmouche of Marksville and Rene Carmouche (Debra) of Marksville. He is also survived by six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held at Escude Funeral Home of Cottonport on Sunday, July 18, 2021 beginning at 4:00 p.m. and continuing all night until departing for service on Monday. A Rosary will be recited Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

Escude Funeral Home of Cottonport is in charge of arrangements.