Mrs. Bessie Marie Matula LaVictoire, age 88, a resident of Washington and a former resident of Aurora, died Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

A graveside funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2017 at Oakdale Cemetery, officiated by Owen Peele. The family will receive friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington.

Mrs. LaVictoire was born in Wharton County, TX on December 8, 1928, daughter of the late Julius Chester Matula Sr. and the late Cecelia Sulak Matula. On October 6, 1949 she married the love of her life, Robert Leroy “Bob” LaVictoire, who preceded her in death on August 15, 2001. In 1966 she, along with her children, supported her husband by relocating to Aurora for his career with the former Texas Gulf. While a resident of Aurora, Mrs. LaVictoire was very active in her community by serving as a Town Commissioner and owner/operator of Merle Marie’s Candle & Gift Shop. She was also a member of Aurora United Methodist Church. Following her husband’s death, she moved to Washington where she volunteered at Vidant Beaufort Hospital and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Washington. Mrs. LaVictoire loved reading, knitting, playing cards and dancing.

Survivors include a son: Dr. Robert LaVictoire and his wife Tammy of Washington; a daughter: Donna LaVictoire and her wife Louise Skillman of Greensboro and two grandchildren: Perry LaVictoire of Greenville and Leslie LaVictoire of Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for memorial contributions to be made to Beaufort County Medical Center Foundation, c/o Lights of Love Annual Fund, 628 East 12th St., Washington, NC 27889, Aurora United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 69, Aurora, NC 27806 or First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 715, Washington, NC 27889.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the LaVictoire family.