Elia Marie Moreau was born on December 31, 1890 to Aurelis and Eleonore Moreau in Eunice, Louisiana. She received her early education in St. Landry Parish, attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) where she received a Bachelor of Arts, and later went to Louisiana State University where she received her Master’s Degree. Her first year of teaching was in Beauregard parish; the next 43 years she taught in St. Landry Parish. She retired in 1956.

Ms. Moreau was active in her community work. She was an active member of the St. Landry Retired Teachers Association and was President of the Opelousas Garden Club. The members of the Opelousas Garden Club presented a live oak tree to Opelousas Junior High School in Ms. Moreau’s memory. There is also a plaque bearing the inscription “The Elia Moreau Oak, January, 1970”.