Newman Matte

Newman Paul Matte, 82 years old, was called to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 31, 2021.  He entered this world on July 2, 1938, born to Zany Matte and Amy Richard Matte in Church Point, LA. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Newman Matte became an angel to our Lord on Jan. 31 2021.  He was a very devoted servant to our Lord God, Mother Mary, to our family and to his church which he attended every Sunday. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be joining his loving wife Mary who passed away only a week ago. Newman was a hard working Cajun all of his life, from childhood until his death. At 82 he was able to till and plant his own garden, create gardens for priests at St. John’s, and perform sheet metal work in his shop at home. The only thing greater than Newman’s incredible work ethic was his heart, his willingness to always give even when he had little to give, which began at an early age and continued throughout his life as a man. Whether it was providing spending money to his young siblings as a child, providing clothing and food for needy family members and friends during his adult life or delivering food, fruit and vegetables every Wednesday to nuns caring for abused women, there are just too many instances of Newman’s acts of kindness to mention. Newman’s generosity and willingness to always care seemed normal to him, because he had been doing this since he was a child. When the Lord sees Newman in heaven, he will see the spirit of a man, with so little to give, yet offered so much throughout his life. He’ll see the spirit of a man who simply assumed this was normal.

Newman Is survived by his 1 son Mark Matte and wife, Belinda; 2 daughters, Angie Knaps and husband, Mike, and Lisa Howell and husband, Shawn; 7 grandchildren, Amy Matte, April Sartin, Jacob Matte, Andrea Necker, Macie Howell, Callie Howell, and Braeden Howell;  10 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Rodney Matte, Isaac Bellard Jr, and Dennis Bellard and wife Sylvia; 2 sisters, Verna Leger and husband Clarence and Janell Overton; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Newman  is preceded in death a week prior by his loving wife of 61 years Mary Jane Aymond Matte; father, Zany Matte, mother, Amy Richard Matte; and 2 grandchildren;

Serving as pallbearers will be Camden Massingill, Braeden Howell, Kevin Sartin, Eric Necker,  Matt Lynch, Caleb Walls, Stephen Montelepre, and Chase Horn.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Rodney Matte, Isaac Bellard, Dennis Bellard, Brian Leger, and Craig Matte.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for the visitation at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4826 Main Street, Zachary, LA on Friday, February 5, 2021 from 9:30-10:30. Eulogy at 10:30 until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, officiated by Fr. M. J. Bayhi. Masks will be required. Cemetery services will follow at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church in Leonville, Louisiana.