Rita C. Rachal Roque

Rita C. Rachal Roque, 94, passed away at her home in Natchitoches on October 30, 2020 after a short illness. She was born on May 5, 1926, to Joe and Ophelia Rachal in Derry, LA. On April 20, 1950, she married Joseph Earnest Roque and moved to Shreveport to start a family. To this union two children were born, Joseph D. Roque and Deborah Roque-Bayonne. In 1966 she moved her family back to Natchitoches. She worked various jobs until she went to work at the Natchitoches Parish Hospital where she retired with 23 years of service. She loved her family; she loved to cook for anyone who came to her house to visit. When her sister died at a young age she helped to take care of her son as her own. It was very stressful to her when he died last year. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joseph E. Roque; the nephew she loved like a son, Louis Ray Metoyer, Sr.; four sisters; four brothers; baby sister, Gloria Jane Rachal; and a special friend, Sidney Moran, Sr. She is survived by her son, Joseph D. Roque; her daughter, Deborah Roque-Bayonne and husband Harold Bayonne, Sr. and their children and grandchildren; niece/daughter in law, Beverly Metoyer and her children and grandchildren; dearest nephews, Clyde Roque, Charles Rachal, and Edger Rachal; and a special friend/daughter, Jackie Moran Perry. Graveside service will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, November 5th at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville, LA with Rev. Blake Deshautelle officiating. To comply with health and safety guidelines, wearing masks and social distancing will be necessary for all who attend. A memorial mass will be held at a later date. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Harold Bayonne, Sr., Charles Rachal, Edger Rachal, Brian Metoyer, Louis Metoyer, III, Clyde Roque, and Patrick Jones.