Albert Devall Dumas Sr.

Albert Devall Dumas, Sr, also known as “Big Al,” passed away peacefully on Christmas Day 2023, at Ochsner Baptist Hospital in New Orleans at the age of 76. He was born on July 17, 1947 in New Orleans to Dr. Albert Wood Dumas, Jr and Olga Devall. He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. A lifelong native of New Orleans, he graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1966. He attended Xavier University starting in 1966. A lifelong lover of literature, he loved the written word and reading. He had a special interest in History, and collected books relating to Military History with a focus on the Civil War, especially the Battle of Gettysburg, World War II, and the Pacific. He enlisted in the Air Force, stationed in Abilene, Texas and served from 1968 to 1972. Upon honorable discharge, he returned to New Orleans and finished his education at Xavier University where he graduated with a degree in English in 1978. Began employment with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of New Orleans in 1979, where he worked for 27 years as a Patients Services Assistant until he retired in 2006. One of the joys of the job, he got to interact with the patients coming in and fellow colleagues have commented how he greeted everyone with a smile. Despite the complaints that patients had, he had a way of putting them at ease, and made them feel important. Known for his booming baritone voice, he served as a lecturer at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church for many years where he was referred to as the man with the deep resonating voice, and also post-Katrina at Transfiguration of the Lord Parish. He enjoyed doing daily crossword puzzles in the Times Picayune, sharing his knowledge and faith with family, friends, and people he came into contact. He was known to always carry a book or two on topics relating to history making events that changed the world. He was also known as the “Human Encyclopedia.” Albert could tell you anything and everything about historical events. Anyone he encounters are impressed by how much he knows and able to explain in detail. A chance meeting in June 1974, he met the love of his life, Brenda Wood, who was in town for a Medical Technology convention. Couple years later, they reconnected and started corresponding exchanging letters, telephone calls, got engaged and married on June 28, 1980. Their union produced one son, Albert Devall Dumas, Jr and lasted for 43 years until he parted from this life. Preceded in death by his father, Albert Wood Dumas, Jr and mother, Olga Devall Jarreau, stepfather Leonard Jarreau, and younger half-brother Joseph C. Dumas. Albert is survived by his wife, Brenda, son Albert Jr., half-sister Adrienne Dumas, and host of relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, also past and present employees of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, staff of The Historic New Orleans Collection and Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church are invited to attend the funeral mass of Christian Burial at Transfiguration of the Lord, 5621 Elysian Fields Avenue on Friday, January 5, 2024 with Visitation at 10:00am and Mass at 11:00am. Please join us by livestream at 10:50am by visiting www.facebook.com/D.W.RhodesFuneralHome/live. Burial will take place at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements by 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. The family would like to thank Vital Links Home Heath and Hospice Care for their excellent care, compassion and treatment, especially Nurse Mack RN. Special thanks to Albert’s guardian angels, Glenn Howard and his team, Rashad Stevens, Donnel Deltit, and Travis Williams who above and beyond the call of duty.

Albert Devall Dumas Sr.

December 25, 2023