Obituary

Born in New Orleans, LA on July 3, 1929 to Edward Henry Joseph Dupre and Stephanie Anne Rogers. She was one of eight children of this marriage, the others being: Edward, Gerald, Stephanie, Joan, Webster, Rogers, and Frederick, all deceased.

She was married to Carrell Ray Killebrew, with whom she had four children, and William Charles Howes, both deceased. Her four children, all surviving, are: Carrell Ray Killebrew, wife, Frances Kruse, of Austin, Texas; Lauren Marie Covell, husband, Stephen Eliot, of Covington, Louisiana; Michele Marie Villeneuve, husband, Guy, of Clearwater, Florida; and Gerard Louis Killebrew, significant other James David Coco, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is also survived by six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy in 1947, attended Dominican College from 1947-48 and LSU-Alexandria from 1960-61. Later, she graduated from LSU A and M College, as follows: BA in English and Social Sciences Secondary Education (1968); Master of Secondary Education (1973); Master plus 30 in Secondary Education (1977); and Certification in Severe/Profound Special Education (1983). She taught at St. George Elementary, St. Aloysius Elementary, East Ascension High, St. Amant High, and LSU A and M from 1964 to 1982. During 1982 through 1985, she worked at the State Department of Health and Human Services. She ended her working career at the State Department of Education-Special School District #1 from 1985 to 1992. She was a highly dedicated, successful, and well-loved elementary, English, and special education specialist throughout her lengthy tenure. She was also noted as being one of the founders of the Great Books Society of Louisiana and an advisor to the State Department of Education during the development of secondary English curricular standards.

She was a highly intelligent and motivated person with wide ranging interests and talents in: Literature (especially Shakespeare); Romanesque and Renaissance History, Art and Architecture; Gardening and Nature; Classical Music (particularly Opera), Home and Repair/Renovation; Food and Culinary Arts; Louisiana/French Heritage; Philosophy; and most of all, anything concerning Italy, where she traveled extensively and often.

Well informed by her strong Catholic faith and deep learning and introspection, she lived a full and varied life, accepting the many challenges presented her head-on, never shirking from responsibility. She was most of all proud of the development and accomplishments of her children, all of whom became successful professionals in their own right, possessing and practicing her strong moral and ethical values.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Abbey, 75376 River Rd, St Benedict, LA 70457 on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow Mass in St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery under the direction of Grace Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gracenorthshore.com for the Howes family.