Gretta Roque Burns

Gretta Roque Burns, age 94, entered eternal rest at home on June 27, 2025. She was born on April 14, 1931, on the family’s Roque Brothers’ farm, founded by her father in Cane River, Louisiana. Gretta was the youngest child of Emitte and Cecile Roque. She grew up alongside her siblings—Collins, Robbie, Lucille, Earl, Marie, and Irma—helping on the family farm and in the Roque Brothers’ General Store, a cherished community gathering place. Gretta was proud of her heritage and her ancestral ties to Cane River, a hamlet made famous through books and films, and where she often returned for family visits and reunions. Gretta began her early education at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, located next to the historic St. Augustine Catholic Church. At the age of thirteen, she left Cane River to attend St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, where she boarded at the school’s original location in the French Quarter. It was there that she began a lasting relationship with the Sisters of the Holy Family, who instilled in her the values of faith, service, and duty—principles that would guide her throughout her life. Upon graduation in 1948, she was selected as valedictorian of her class. After graduation, Gretta enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. It was at Xavier that she met a handsome young soldier who had served in World War II and was also enrolled there. After considerable persuasion, Winston “Bootsie” Burns won her heart, and their love story blossomed into a lifelong marriage and partnership that endures to this day. Nestled in the Voscoville neighborhood of Gentilly, the Annette Street home that Winston and Gretta built quickly became a cornerstone of community and family life. There, they raised their five children and lovingly welcomed their thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. For more than 68 years, Gretta’s dinner table became a gathering place of laughter, tradition, and love, not just for family, but for a wide circle of friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, schoolteachers, and the families of her children’s and grandchildren’s closest companions. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, seen, and fed body and soul. Whether you came for a bowl of gumbo or stayed for the stories and laughter, time at Gretta’s table left you feeling like family. Gretta was deeply devoted to her Christian faith. She and her family attended Mass regularly and hosted the recitation of the rosary every Tuesday evening in their home, welcoming neighbors and friends into a space of prayer and fellowship. One of Gretta’s most cherished memories was having the honor and privilege of serving as a Eucharistic Minister during the Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II during his historic visit to New Orleans in 1987. Her devotion also took her across the world—she was deeply honored to attend the canonization of St. Katharine Drexel in Rome, Italy, in 2000, a moment that deeply affirmed her lifelong commitment to faith and service. In 1957, Gretta began her professional career as secretary for Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr, the prominent jurist and civil rights leader, who operated his private law practice on St. Bernard Avenue in Gentilly. For over thirty-five years, she served as his chief administrative officer and trusted confidante at Orleans Parish Civil District Court until her retirement in 1994. Their relationship was characterized by the bonds of family ties and genuine friendship between both families and their children, who all lived and grew up on Annette Street. Gretta was as tireless in her dedication to her community as she was devoted to her family. As a founding member of the Parents of Alumni Club at St. Augustine High School, Gretta was a driving force behind the organization’s weekly Monday night Bingo games that helped raise needed funds for the school. Gretta was also a tireless fundraiser for her beloved alma mater, St. Mary’s Academy, as an organizer of the school’s annual Alumnae Association’s Gala Cabaret Magic. She went on to receive numerous awards such as the Henriette DeLille Award, the Crystal Award, and the Legacy Award for the 150th anniversary of SMA. Her continued involvement reflected her deep gratitude for the foundation the school and the Sisters of the Holy Family had given her, and she remained a proud and active alumna throughout her life as well as an Associate of the Sisters of the Holy Family. Gretta and Bootsie raised their children during the Civil Rights Era. With courage and conviction, they insisted that their children be among the first African American students to integrate St. Leo the Great School. It was not always easy, and Gretta would later reflect on those years as “difficult but necessary.” Her grit and determination helped usher her family—and her community—into a new era of progress and possibility. Affectionately known as “Grammy”, Gretta took on her role with immense love, care, support, wisdom, and gratitude. She welcomed her grandchildren with a full heart and open arms. She was present at Grandparents’ Day, as well as at volleyball, baseball, football, and soccer games, track meets, school plays, and graduations—cheering them on with pride and joy. Her presence was a constant source of encouragement and love. Gretta considered herself especially blessed to become a great-grandmother in 2009, when she welcomed the first of her eight great-grandchildren. It was a role she cherished deeply, embracing each new generation with the same boundless love, wisdom, and grace that defined her life. Gretta Roque Burns is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Winston Burns, Sr.; her grandson, Trenton M. Gueno; her parents, Emitte and Cecile Roque; and her six siblings. Gretta leaves to cherish her memory of her daughter, Roxanne Burns (John Baker), and her four sons, Ronald (Sheila), Burton (Constance), Brian (Stacie), and Winston Jr (Wendy). Grandchildren: Amber Burns Anderson (Sylvester), Christy, Damon, Erin Burns, Ronald “Vinnie” Burns, Jr., Jason Burns, Sr., Brian” BJ” Burns, Jr., Brittany and Dominique Burns, Brandon Gueno (Sarah), Shannon Gueno Phillips (Don), and Blair Burns. Great-grandchildren: Dashaydon Phillips, Darien Phillips, Gabrielle Gueno, Marcus Gueno, Kendal M. Anderson, Sylvester B. Anderson, Jordyn “JoJo” and Jason “JJ” Burns, Jr. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a celebration of Gretta’s life at St. Martin de Porres Church (formerly Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church), 5621 Elysian Fields Ave. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, Visitation begins at 8:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment: St. Louis Cemetery No.3, New Orleans, LA. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, and condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Mary’s Academy 6905 Chef Menteur Blvd. NOLA, 70126 https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GPPRF7HVZHDVJ or St. Augustine High School, Winston, Sr. and Gretta Burns Scholarship Fund 2600 AP Tureaud Ave NOLA, 70119 https://www.staugnola.org/advancement/ways-to-give in honor of Gretta’s enduring legacy of love and service. Please visit https://globalparkingsystems-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/vburns_parkglobal_net/Ef8j3OgSZINJmQj-2sWmxukBr7grMfnXaEHvuRhQREt8vQ?e=NQrIhY to access Gretta's Program.

Gretta Roque Burns

April 14, 1931 - June 27, 2025