Carole Rose Cottrell was born October 11, 1942 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Louis A. Cottrell, Jr. and Kate “Evelyn” Trudeau, the elder of two kids. She was the granddaughter of civil rights champion Antoine M. Trudeau, Sr. and Amelia Millet as well as New Orleans jazz pioneer Louis A. Cottrell, Sr. and Leontine “Jeanne” Bayette.
She grew up in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward, considered by many as the epicenter of Creole culture, where families were known for successful business enterprises, building trades and music. She was raised in an entrepreneurial family that valued education, the arts, civic involvement and being beacons of change. Carole attended Valena C. Jones, Corpus Christi Elementary and Xavier Preparatory High School before studying briefly at Louisiana State University New Orleans (LSUNO) and graduating from Straight Business School. Her parents worked tirelessly for the family’s Safety Industrial Life Insurance Company and her father’s eminent musical career and union activism regularly kept him away from home. Still and all, Carole’s reflections of her childhood were described as being fit for a princess, as she was adored and spoiled by doting grandparents, loving aunts, godparents Ethel Trudeau and Robert Vaucresson and by her “Uncle Marcel” with whom she held a special bond. In the true spirit of New Orleans’ communal culture, Carole and her brother Louis, truly had a village to raise them.
Debutante Carole Rose Cottrell and A.M. Trudeau, Jr.
In September of 1961, Carole met Ezebe Chevalier while standing as Maid of Honor in the wedding of neighbor and lifelong friend Barbara Boutte to George Payton. The two married in 1963 and Carole relocated to the small farming community of Arnaudville, Louisiana where five children were born from this union. Carole spent several years in St. Martin Parish before returning to New Orleans in 1970, unfazed by the challenge of raising a large family as a single mother. Once her youngest was eligible for school, Carole began working within the Orleans Parish School System where she would remain until retiring. She was beloved and respected by colleagues, including various Superintendents with whom she had the pleasure of working closely with throughout her 30 year career. Carole worked hard and sacrificed often, to ensure the best educational opportunities for her kids.
Christopher, Louis, Ezebe Jr., Andre and Susan
Carole began dating Donald L. Kaufman in 1977 and the two developed a loving, everlasting bond. Both enjoyed traveling and sightseeing tours and their frequent excursions were the impetus for establishing Creole Tours & Travel in 1983, their small successful tourism business. The two relocated to Missouri City, Texas after Hurricane Katrina ravaged Carole’s New Orleans home in August of 2005. As could have been predicted by those familiar with Carole’s resolve, she never once complained nor lamented over the unsettling hand dealt from above. She simply regrouped, reimagined her future and regained the confidence to forge ahead. Within four months of that faithful August day, Carole was settled into her new home, and had personalized every nook with decorative, theme based items giving the impression she’d been living there for decades. As early retirees, Carole and Donald continued their travels until Donald’s untimely passing in 2011.
Carole and Donald
Carole Rose Cottrell Chevalier passed away on July 19, 2022. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, in-law, cousin and friend who revered her children, grandchildren and extended family. Carole never griped about life’s unscripted challenges and always maintained a positive, we shall overcome attitude. Her infectious smile and gales of laughter will be remembered by all who encountered her genial personality and kind, gentle, caring soul. She embraced motherhood and admirably supported her children’s activities, whether by toting her lawn chair to sporting or cheer events or by sitting in sweltering heat for band competitions or jazz performances. In addition to her affinity for traveling, Carole enjoyed family gatherings, sewing, home decorating, gardening and less we forget, her Christmas in July Hallmark movies, a viewing tradition carried on by several family members today. She relished being a member of her Bonanza/Pokeno club and the fellowship of their monthly gatherings. Carole was a passionate New Orleans Saints fan and always enjoyed watching LSU football with her kids….”Geaux Tigers!”
Game Day Chevaliers
Carole is survived by children Ezebe J. Chevalier, Jr. (Elizabeth), Christopher Chevalier (Tracy), Andre Chevalier (Lindy), Susan Chevalier and Louis Chevalier, along with grandchildren Brandon Chevalier, Nathan Chevalier, Justin Chevalier, Alexandra “Lexie” Chevalier, Sarah Chevalier, Amanda Chevalier, Zachary Chevalier, Ashley Chevalier, a nephew, Louis Cottrell and a host of other loving relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Cottrell, Jr. and Evelyn T. Cottrell, sibling Louis A. Cottrell, III and her beloved, Donald L. Kaufman.
A Mass of Christian Burial was said on Monday, July 25, 2022 at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land, TX. Carole Rose Cottrell Chevalier is entombed in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Carole Rose Cottrell Chevalier and Family
One At Rest by AJ Stanley
Think of me as one at rest,
for me you should not weep
I have no pain no troubled thoughts
for I am just asleep
The living thinking me that was,
is now forever still
And life goes on without me now,
as time forever will.
If your heart is heavy now
because I’ve gone away
Dwell not long upon it friend
For none of us can stay
Those of you who liked me,
I sincerely thank you all
And those of you who loved me,
I thank you most of all.
And in my fleeting lifespan,
as time went rushing by
I found some time to hesitate,
to laugh, to love, to cry
Matters it now if time began
If time will ever cease?
I was here, I used it all,
and now I am at peace.
Carole’s Life Remembered
