Philomena E. deValcourt Bourg
April 5, 1918 - January 31, 2013

Philomena was born in Sunset, Louisiana and moved to Port Arthur, Texas in 1941.

She worked at Kress store on Proctor Street. She was a homemaker and enjoyed tending her yard and gardens and had many plants that represented family members and friends when they bloomed. She loved family genealogy and in the 1960's she worked with legislators to improve conditions in State Schools for the mentally challenged. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church and sang in the choir for many years.

She was preceded in death by husband, Carl Bourg, Sr., son, William (Bill) Charles Bourg, son in law, Ed St. James, parents, William Joseph deValcourt and Estelle Smith deValcourt, and 12 brothers and sisters.

She is survived by 3 children, Carl Bourg Jr. and Cathy, Pat St. James, and Beth and Roger Durham. Additionally, she is survived by 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews who lovingly knew her as "Aunt Phil".

Burial: Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves, Texas
Melancon's Funeral Home, Nederland, Texas


Port Arthur, Tx Dec. 8, 1979

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Letter from Philomena Bourg to Louise de Valcourt
post marked BEAUMONT TX 777 23 JUN 1995

Joseph William de Valcourt
"Pa"
He was born in 1871 so was therefore up in age when I was born in 1918, the youngest of 13. I don't remember too much about him, when I was a child, because I don't remember much about myself. I never had a good memory.
He had no formal education, but was an intelligent man. He was assigned by his parents Theodore and Philomene to manage their property. He and wife in turn (Birdie) would care for them and Aspazie (Lolute) until their death. Aspazie was William's half sister. He was the oldest of five, four brothers and one sister.
He worked as a carpenter, had a general mdse store, until it burned, and farmed about one hundred forty acres (140) of land which he accumulated. In later years he was Justice of the Peace and served a good many years. He played with politics also. He married a "jewel of a lady" Estelle Olive Smith "Birdie" who bore him eight sons and five daughters. All reached adulthood, twelve married (no divorces) The oldest Estelle became a Sister of Sacred Heart.
When I knew him, I suppose he had mellowed, but was still very much head of the family, as was the custom, and you had a certain fear or respect. He never laid a hand on us girls, not in my time.
He took care of the boys. They all worked in the fields with him, and cared for the farm animals. My mom was in charge of the girls, and we did house hold chores, washing scrubbing and things around the house. My father said he kept the boys so busy that they were too tired to get into trouble. Two were pretty lively, but none got into serious trouble, to my knowledge. They all worked very hard, In later years there were share croppers, who some times helped with house hold chores and did the farming.
He would say he wanted to live to be ninety (90) and he did reach eighty five. He died in Jan, 1957- very near his birth day.
He also said he would never leave the home he had built and the land that he accumulated and loved. He left it only when he was carried away.
Our family was blest to have had not perfect, but very strong parents. May the younger generations carry on.
Submitted by Philomena no.13- 5/30/95

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Letter from Philomena Bourg to Louise de Valcourt
post marked BEAUMONT TX 777 23 JUN 1995

Stella Olive (Birdie) Smith de Valcourt
"Mom"
Mom, was an angel here on earth. She was enduring, never gave up where family was concerned. She was calm, patient and understanding in most circumstances. She was caring without concern for self, whether it be human or beast. She was a peace maker, never gossiped. She had "third reader education," knew phonics. Uncle Joe Barry was a teacher at her school. She was intuitive, had great wisdom. She taught that revenge was one of the most deadly sins. It never ends. She was a nurse, having nursed her in-laws and children thru some serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, typhoid fever and 1918 flu. She was strong in faith, and stood in line on Sunday morning for and hour if necessary to go to confession.
She was submissive, my father was head. We respected her and loved her. Her love was in strength, not emotional.
If there is a Heaven, and we hope there is, then she earned a very high place, I believe she is "a Saint"
Submitted by, Philomena (no. thirteen) 5/30/95
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Dear Steve + Louise,

We enjoyed our visit with you. Wish we could see you more often. Didn't know you had put all those delicious vegs.- in the car. I divided some with all three (3) sisters. All were grateful and enjoyed them. The tomatoes are so good. What variety are they? Carl's little girls love the broccoli. Had them here today, so cooked some. Again thanks a million.

Have gotten rid of about half the pecans. Lots of them here. The little ones are very good also.

I'm sending you a copy of a letter I received from Jack Fox. You may keep. At Woody's funeral there was some "noise going around by some who didn't know, that all the story about Uncle Charles was baloney. I decided to write to Jack, His letter is very enlightening + interesting.

The other sheet came from a book Matilde gave to Carrie. If you study it, it may clear up what you were asking about Edwin Smith- So you see the Smiths, Dev - tangled up twice, before Mamma, Papa. Carrie thinks those "possible" names may be who they were. Were they Grandpa's daughters or sisters??

Also when we came home a lady here who knows the family called to tell me that she had bought a copy of Dr. Edmonds book, "Yankee Autumn in Acadiana." She said it had my name in it because I had furnished Grandpa Dev. - picture. So that must be what the article you spoke about (Civil War) was about. She said the book is very well researched (took 7 yrs.) It must have quite a bit of inf. about the area. I've written Dr. Edmonds + hope to have him autograph - copies for the family. Perhaps you'd be interested in one for your family. You can get them at U.S.L. She got her copy in Laf. ($15.95 per copy)

Say "hello" to all the family.
Love, Phil

Note:-- Uncle Charles is probably Charles Smith who donated a lot of land for the Church in Grand Coteau, LA. Matilde is probably Mathilde Smith Lavergne who did a lot of genealogy work. G.D.d.