Obituary
Lavoice Harvey, Sr.
Tangipahoa Parish
December, 2001

This information generously donated to the Louisiana Genealogy Project -
African American Archives by: Don Johnson


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Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday for local political, civic and
religious leader Lavoice Harvey Sr., 83, who died Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at
North Oaks Medical Center.  Harvey, who campaigned for a seat on the Police
Jury in 1956, was the first African American in Tangipahoa Parish to run for
a public office since the days of Reconstruction, his family members said.

Gov. Edwin Edwards appointed him in 1972 to serve on the State Board of
Corrections for four years.

Harvey worked for Tangipahoa Parish government as sign shop supervisor for 13
years. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was the president of the first Black Tangipahoa Voters League, which was
established in 1957, and was the parade grand marshal of the Tangipahoa
Black Heritage Festival in 1991.

In 1933 he united with the Greater Rosehill Baptist Church. He served as a
Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, member of the choir
and chairman of the board of deacons. He was ordained as a deacon under
the leadership of the late Rev. Thomas Garner in 1941. He served as chairman
for 41 years until becoming ill in 1993.

His work will continue through the community and various other civic groups,
family members said.

His survivors include three daughters, Evoica Harvey Elzy, Linda Harvey and
Barbara LaBee, all of Hammond; a son, Lavoice Harvey Jr. of Amite; three
brothers, Elijah Harvey Sr. and Latimore Harvey, both of Hammond, and Alton
Harvey of Los Angeles; a sister, Arellia Mitchell of Los Angeles; seven
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

His parents, Bernice and Edward Harvey, preceded him in death as did his
wife, Estelle Simmons Harvey; a brother, Robert Harvey; and a sister,
Arnetta Harvey Griffin.

Visitation will be Friday at Greater Rosehill Westside Baptist Church,
Hammond, from 4 to 9 p.m. The Rev. Matthew Sims will conduct the funeral
Saturday at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.

N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge of arrangements.