Claude Joseph Bean

Claude Joseph Bean was born on October 7, 1937, to the late Claude Jethro Bean and Mattie Morgan Bean Montgomery, in Greensburg, Louisiana. He was educated in the St. Helena and Tangipahoa Parish school systems. Claude moved to New Orleans, Louisiana as a young man. After completing his education in barber college, he opened Bean’s Barber Shop where he and his longtime friend, Alfred “Ace” McCorkle worked as a team in the barber shop. Claude was an ambitious man and continued his studies at Southern University, New Orleans, LaSalle Extension University and Loyola University New Orleans where he studied Accounting. Claude met the love of his life, Mary Lynn Tillie at a get together in February 1970. On November 21, 1970, they were married, and they stayed married for the past 51 years. Under the administration of Mayor Moon Landrieu, Claude was employed as a Project Monitor in the Model Cities Program. Claude left city government to start his own business. He opened Bean’s Formal Wear over 30 years ago on Freret Street. He was a very personable businessman who liked people. Oftentimes young people who were entering the service industry would come to Bean’s Formal Wear for their uniform, white shirt, and black pants. When they did not have enough money to pay for the items, Claude would let them have it with the promise to return and pay when they received their first check. The young people never forgot Mr. Bean; they were always returning customers. Claude loved history. He became interested in the history of his church, Historic St. Peter A.M.E. He researched the history of the church, prepared and submitted an application to have it considered for a national historic landmark. Claude drove to Natchitoches, Louisiana, to present the application in person before the local Landmarks Commission. A native New Orleanian, Ms. Mary Louise Christovich (deceased) sat on the board of the local commission. She was influential in forwarding the application to Washington, D.C. As a result of Bro. Bean’s efforts, St. Peter A.M.E. Church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Bro. Bean was President of the local lay organization at St. Peter and President of the Louisiana Conference Lay Organization. He served on the Steward board and Usher Board. He was The Worthy Patron of Herman P. Bush No. 173; Order of Eastern Star; Past Worshipful Master of Stringer Lodge #3; F&AM; and a 33rd Degree Mason of Eureka Consistory #7 PHA. Claude leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 51 years, Mary Lynn Bean; a sister Mattie Summers; an aunt, Rebecca Thomas; brothers-in-law; Rev. James E. Tillie, Jr. of Ft. Worth, TX; Dr. Linus A. Igbokwe of Lawrenceville; GA; Milton J. Haynes, Sr. ; sisters-in-law; Edna Bean of Hammond, LA; Donna Tillie of Snellville, GA; Terralene Igbokwe of Lawrenceville, GA; Dr. Julia Tillie of Ft. Worth, TX; Joyce Tillie, and Beatrice T. Haynes. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Claude was preceded in death by his brothers, Ralph, and Raymond Bean. All officers and members of Historic St. Peter A.M.E. Church, Prince Hall Masons, family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Claude Joseph Bean. Pastor Russell Obee – Presiding In lieu of flowers please donate to the restoration of the Historic St. Peter A.M.E. Church Givelify: St. Peter AME Church or P.O. Box 750008 New Orleans, LA 70175-0008 Services will be at D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125 on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 10:00 am. Visitation at 9:00 am. Private Burial Service Everyone in attendance is required to wear a mask. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.

Claude Joseph Bean

September 10, 2022