The files of Postmaster Leona LeSassier Plettinger (1913-2010) of Weyanoke, Louisiana, demonstrate the varied roles of a postmaster in a small community, the duties of a postmaster in the mid-twentieth century, and a postal career in the latter half of the twentieth century. The notes addressed to the postmaster from local customers concern postal matters such as package pick up and postage payment to electric bills and concerns for the health of a community member. A few letters include requests from philatelic collectors for mail with the office's postmark. Leona Plettinger took over her position as a female postmaster from a family member, making her tenure the third generation of her family to serve as postmaster. The employment and appointment documents show the social and political connections to achieve an appointment to postmaster during the mid-twentieth century and a record of decades-long career.
Mrs. Plettinger served the Post Office Department and US Postal Service for twenty-five years at the combination post office and privately owned general store. The employment documents span from her time as acting postmaster in 1956, including four recommendation letters for her appointment, two of which are from a Republican National Committee member and demonstrate the continued role of party politics in the Post Office Department, and her commission dated of June 27, 1958 as marked on the letter from the Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield to the 1994 service award in a presentation folder.
