Opeary Mae Hill Loche

Mrs. Opeary Hill Loche

 Mrs. Opeary Hill Loche, well-known citizen, retired teacher, and co-founder of Loche's Mortuary, Inc. will lie in state at St. Mary C. M. E. Temple on Friday evening, January 8, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021. The interment will follow in H. V. Adams cemetery. Rev. Dr. Marvette Thomas will be the officiant at the services. Both services will be live-streamed on the Loche's Mortuary, Inc. website:www.lochesmortuary, inc.com, and Facebook.   A memorial honoring Mrs. Loche will be held when the quarantine has been lifted.  Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, "The Omega-Omega"  services will be held at the conclusion of the Visitation through Zoom. For your safety, and the safety of those in attendance masks are required to attend both services. To send words of condolences, flowers, plants, or to light a memorial candle, please go to www.lochesmortuaryinc.com. Loche's Mortuary, Inc. and Ross Mortuary, Inc. of Houston are in charge of the arrangements.

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Opeary Hill Loche

Matriarch, Mother, Mentor

"A Life Well Spent"

"He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care. His faithfulness will protect and defend you."  Psalm 91:4

 Opeary Mae Hill was born in the small hamlet of Bonita, Louisiana on November 11, 1925. The daughter of William and Cammie Hill, Opeary attended and graduated from Morehouse High. She graduated from Southern University & A & M College with a degree in Elementary Education. She also received Masters of Education from Southern.  She was married to the late Lee E. Loche, Morehouse Parish police juror for thirty plus years, and co-founder of Loche's Mortuary, Inc. She taught school in East and West Baton Rouge parishes, Ascension parish, and Morehouse parish.  Her years spent at Collinston Elementary School were perhaps, her favorite. She touched the lives of many students and co-workers, who shared memories of the wonderful experiences in her classes. She was one of the first two women in Morehouse Parish to become licensed funeral directors and completed courses to become a licensed florist. And if that wasn’t enough, she attended Henrietta Carroll’s Beauty School in Monroe and became a licensed and very skilled beautician.

A civic-minded citizen, Mrs. Loche was instrumental in changing the name of Forrest Park to Martin Luther King Park.  She was a vital member of the St. Mary C. M. E. Church where she served as a Stewardess and she sang in the choir.  She was a proud member of

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, American Legion - Solomon Loche Post 501 Ladies Auxiliary, the Heralds of Jericho, and Malvern Donald Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star #61. 

 Her beautiful smile and her kind spirit radiated whenever she entered a room. She always greeted friends and strangers alike with her radiant smile. Opeary Mae Hill Loche touched the lives of hundreds of children through education and thousands of people as she served them through “the dream” (Loche’s Mortuary, Inc.) established some sixty years ago by her husband, Lee Edward Loche who preceded her in death on December 29, 2007. Her journey from the small hamlet of Bonita, Louisiana blazed a trail for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to follow her golden rule: “If I can help somebody along the way; then my living will not be in vain.”
 

 Early on Saturday morning, December 26, 2020, about 8:15 a.m. Opeary heard the gentle rustling of angels' wings as they quietly entered Room 239 at Morehouse General Hospital. And, as her first born (Veronica) stood at her beside gently holding her hand, the glory of the Lord filled the room. She quietly answered His call. Opeary Mae Hill Loche went home to be with her God.
 

Missing her smile, her gentle guidance, and her loving heart are three grateful children: Veronica Loche Tappin, Howard D. Loche, Sr. (Sharilynn), Bastrop, LA, and Edward C. Loche, Sr. (Burnell), Houston, TX; five grandchildren who she adored: Robert Tappin II (Shan), Robin Tappin Hobbs (Albert) Bastrop, LA), Edwina Loche Barrett (Patrick), Howard Loche II (Avia) Houston, TX , and Edward Loche; eight great-grandchildren who made her smile, who made her laugh;  one sister, Ruby Hill Waits (Earvin), two sisters-in-law, Helen Harris Hill (Mobile, AL, and Josie Loche Bastrop, LA, two goddaughters, Darla Gray Edwards Baton Rouge, LA and Angelia Nelson Freeze(Morrell) Bastrop, LA, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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Mama's Angel Wings

 God swept you away and gave you angel wings

We are sad, and yes, we will cry.

Deep in our hearts you'll always stay

But, we know, our God will make a way.

                                                                       We thank you, Mama, for your unselfish love.                                               

A love that made our hearts sing

 We'll  listen and know when you are near

For we'll hear the rustling of your angel wings.

We Love you so much.

Faye, Howard, and Edward

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