Sheriff’s mother inspired others through caregiving, love

When Craig Webre first decided to run for sheriff in the early 1990s, his mother, Nettie Mae Rodrigue Webre, expressed caution about his decision to give up his job as a state trooper and delve into politics – something the Webre family had little experience in.

“My decision to seek office against a very-popular incumbent was sort-of the last thing my mother expected of me at that time – it was like as-if I was saying that I was getting in a plane and flying to the moon,” Sheriff Webre said with a laugh this week. “My mother looked at me and said, ‘Oh my God, Craig, please don’t do this. You’d be giving up your job and it’s just too risky.’”

But when mother relented and realized that her son was set in his ambition, it was full-steam ahead in support of the soon-to-be new sheriff.

“Once the final decision was made, she became my No. 1 fan and my biggest supporter,” Webre said. “And it stayed that way every election since.”

Always a kind, caring mother who loved family and friends; and always a caregiver to those most in need, Nettie Mae Rodrigue Webre passed away on Oct. 21 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

She is survived by her three children, Sheriff Webre, Cheryl Webre Becnel and Carla Webre Kliebert; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Webre.

She is remembered by all for her kind, warm personality and affinity for being around those whom she loved the most – friends and family.

“She was the kind of woman that people would meet and would always come back and tell you how nice and kind she was,” Sheriff Webre said. “She just had that type of personality and that type of grace to where she was always able to make an impact or an impression on the folks she came in contact with.”

Nettie Mae Rodrigue Webre was born during the Great Depression – the oldest of two children born to Ludger and Armelise Rodrigue in Kraemer.

Growing up, times weren’t always easy. Money was scarce and the family lived off the land. But a large neighborhood provided Nettie Mae with several playmates that afforded her with entertainment, memories and several life-long friends.

“We were poor, but we didn’t realize it because everyone around us lived just like we did,” read a quote from Nettie Mae that was placed into her eulogy.

At the age of 16, the young woman met her love, Norman Webre at Mike’s Dance Hall in Chackbay. But their romance’s grit was immediately tested when Norman was drafted into the Navy and was forced to leave home.

“Their romance was limited to corresponding by mail,” Nettie Mae’s eulogy reads.

But their romance never waived and only got stronger with the absence. While on leave from the military, Norman returned home and married Nettie Mae during a short service with four witnesses at the Chackbay Church – a ceremony that took place in 1952.

Throughout married life, Nettie Mae developed her affinity for caring for others. Whether through being a stay-at-home mom or a caregiver for several sick relatives, she was always spending her time and energies toward nursing others to health or giving love to those who needed it.

Sheriff Webre said his mother was the absolute best at that job.

Over the years, Nettie Mae Webre took care of several sick relatives, including her husband, who passed away in 1999 after a battle with cancer.

“She made sure we were safe, loved, had clean clothes, warm food – anything you could ask for, she did it,” Webre said. “We were all so blessed. She was always willing to sacrifice her time and energy to make sure we were happy and we were OK. If a bedtime story needed to be read, then it would be read.”

In the later years, her own children grew up and started chasing their own goals and aspirations. That’s when Nettie Mae became the mother of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff – something she enjoyed because she loved supporting her son’s endeavors.

Sheriff Webre said his lasting memories are trips he and his mother took in the past few years – mother-son time that created memories and stories that will last a lifetime.

He may be the High Sheriff, but he said he’s not afraid to admit something about his personality – he’s a momma’s boy.

“For a lot of guys, this is not a title that they’d embrace, but I can gladly label myself as a momma’s boy,” Webre said. “If I could have her today and for the rest of my life, I’d treasure that. There’s a phrase in the song ‘Me and Bobby Mcgee’ that says ‘I’d trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday.’ That’s how I feel about my mom. I think that quote sums up all of our thoughts quite nicely.”

Sheriff Webre