May 2003 Obituaries and Death Notices from the Crowley Post Signal:
RAYNE – Lester James Logan Sr., 43, died Saturday, May 24, 2003 at his residence in Rayne. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Shrine of Our Mother of Mercy. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Owens-Thomas Funeral Home of Crowley.
Richard Paul Broussard
Funeral services for Richard Paul broussard, 50, of Crowley will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 30, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Crowley with Fr. Gary Schexnayder officiating.
Mr. Broussard died at 12:57 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at his residence in Crowley.
Interment
will be in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.
He is survived by a special friend, Ted Taylor of Crowley; his mother, Addie Stutes Broussard of Crowley; two brothers, Charles Broussard and his wife Chassie of Crowley and Dwight Broussard and his wife Ann of Friendswood, Texas; a sister, Vickie Guidry and her husband Andrew of Scott; sister-in-law, Cecilia Broussard of Crowley, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Leo Broussard, and a brother, David Lee Broussard.
Visitation will be observed from 9 a.m. Thursday until service time Friday. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley has been entrusted with the arrangements.
RAYNE – Freddie Bearb, 79, died at 9:40 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2003 at Bayou Village Nursing Home in Crowley. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne. Burial will be in Arceneaux Cemetery in Mire under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home in Rayne.
RAYNE – Jerry Castille, 46, was laid to rest on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 during funeral services held at 6 p.m. at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne. Burial will be held at a later date under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home in Rayne.
IOTA – Louie Hubert Green Jr., 70, died at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at Crowley American Legion Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iota. Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Iota is in charge of the arrangements.
William Beard
Funeral services were Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for William Beard, 93, who died Saturday, May 24, 2003, at his home.
Burial was in LeBlanc Cemetery. A rosary was recited Sunady at 7 p.m. in Duhon Funeral Home Chapel.
Survivors include two sons and their spouses, Julius and Janelle Beard and Russell and Mary Beard all of Crowley; six grandchildren, Patrick Beard of Georgia, Terry Beard and Lloyd Beard both of Crowley, Melanie and Jason Richard of Slidell, Chad and Brigette Beard of Egan, Edith Marie Beard of Kaplan; three great-grandchildren, Kristie and Dylon Jagneaux of Slidell and Whitney Beard of Egan; one sister, Mrs. Paul “Toot” Leger of Crowley and a host of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Beard was preceded in death by his wife Melanie Beard and his parents, Norma Guidry and Israel Beard.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley was in charge of arrangements.
CHURCH POINT – Lou Miller Guidry, 87, died at 9:25 p.m. Saturday, May 24, 2003 at her home in Church Point. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in the church mausoleum under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home of Church Point.
Floyd Joseph Thibodeaux
LYONS POINT - Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 27, at 2 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for Floyd Joseph Thibodeaux, 62, who died at 5:10 a.m. Sunday, May 25, 2003 at Lafayette General Medical Center.
Fr. Donald Pousson will officiate for the Mass of Christian Burial. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Monday until 10 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until the time of the funeral
Interment
will be in the church cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Margery Simon Thibodeaux of Lyons Point; five daughters, Monica Hilliard and her husband Donald Jr. of Lyons Point, Tracy Meaux and her husband Wesley of Lyons Point, Rikki Jacobson and her husband Tony of Eden Prairie, Mn., Rachael Bieber and her husband Courtney of Mamou and Kimberly Langley and her husband Jeremy of Lyons Point; one son, Brady Thibodeaux and his wife Alisha of Kaplan; 16 grandchildren, Todd and Lindsey Hilliard, Lauren Doucet, Brooke Thibodeaux, Cody Cagnina and Emilee Jacobson, Amber Duplechain, Brady Thibodeaux Jr., Baylei, Alayna and Ashlyn Thibodeaux, Courtlyn Bieber, Corley Thibodeaux, Caylon, Cason and Coldon Langley.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Elea and Viola Hargrave Thibodeaux.
Mr. Thibodeaux was a resident of Lyons Point, a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and worked for Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries for the past 11 years.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
Hester Foreman Guidry
RAYNE - Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, May, 26, at Gossen Funeral Home Chapel for Hester Foreman Guidry, 97, who died Saturday, May 24, 2003, at Crowley American Legion Hospital.
Interment
was in Indian Bayou Methodist Cemetery.
The Rev. Ross Genger, of Centenary United Methodist Church in Rayne conducted the services.
Survivors include twenty-four nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Roy Elie Hoffpauir; second husband, Grudy Guidry; parents, Erasco Foreman and Elsi Lee Foreman Foreman; six sisters; six brothers.
Mrs. Guidry was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Rayne.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home Inc. of Rayne.
Elvie B. Voorhies
Elvie B. Voorhies, 81, of Beaumont, Texas passed away May 22, 2003 at Roundrock Hospital. A native of Carencro, Louisiana and resident of Beaumont for fifty years, Mrs. Voorhies was a retired nurse. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerbert J. Voorhies in 1996.
She is survived by her daughters, Ms. Jeffrey V. Chamber of New Orleans, Louisiana and Margaret Ellen Bryant and her husband Neal of Austin, Texas; sons, Michael J. Voorhies and his wife Shirley of New Orleans, Wiley J. Voorhies and his wife Jennifer of North Richland Hills, Texas, Gerald J. Voorhies of Fairfax, Virginia, and James R. Voorhies and his wife Shirley of Central City, Colorado; sisters, Mary Gungaware of Pasadena, Texas, Nelma O‚Banion and her husband Cliff of Orange, Texas and Ramona Leverette of Orangefield, Texas; sixteen grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
A Rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening, May 25, 2003 at Broussard‚s Mortuary, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 26, 2003 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Beaumont, Texas followed by graveside services at Woodlawn Cemetery, Crowley, Louisiana under the direction of Broussard‚s Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726-5144 or St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5075 Bigner Road, Beaumont, Texas 77708-5202.
Katie Morgan Mayeux
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 1 p.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church for Katie Morgan Mayeux, 108, who died at 5:40 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2003 at Landmark Retirement Home.
Frs. Gary Schexneyder and James Nguyen will co-officiate for the Mass of Christian Burial. Visitation will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday until the time of service. A Rosary will be prayed at 9 a.m. Interment
will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
She is survived by her son, Louis Mayeux and his wife Charlotte of Crowley, two daughters, Catherine Price of Lake Charles and Dr. Ruth Allen and her husband Dr. Cary Allen of New Orleans; fourteen grandchildren, thirty-six great grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Mayeux was preceded in death by her husband, L.J. Mayeux; her parents, Daniel and Vero Hawsley Morgan, four brothers and two sisters.
She graduated from Louisiana State Normal College in 1917, which is now Northwestern State University of Natchitoches, La. where she played varsity basketball.
Mrs. Mayeux started her teaching career in Ebenezer then she moved to Orerlin where she met her husband Lewis. They moved to Crowley and she taught home economics at St. Michael High School.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrengements.
Florence “Sissy” Marie Jacobs
WAYCROSS, GA.-Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, 2003 in Music Funeral Home Chapel for Florence ‘Sissy” Marie Jacobs, 40, who died Monday, May 19, 2003 at her residence.
Sissy was a native of Brunswick, Ga. and had been a resident of Crowley for the last 15 years.
She is survived by one daughter, Savannah James of Crowley; her father and step-mother, Aubrey and Betty Jacobs of Waycross, Ga.; her mother and step-father, Ida and Roger Brown of Tiger, Ga.; two brothers, Terry and Perry Jacobs of Sanford, Fl.; two step-brothers, Ira and Michael Walker of Waycross, Ga.; her grandmothers, Valdee “Granny” Harrison of Waycross, Ga. and Delia Rudd of Quincy, Fl.
She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Perry Jacobs and Norman Rudd.
Music Funeral Home of Waycross, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.
BRANCH – Houston “Black” Doucet, died at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2003 at American Legion Hospital in Crowley. Funeral services were be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at St. Edmund Church in Branch. Guidry Funeral Home of Church Point is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Ethel Martin
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 23, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel for Mrs. Ethel Martin, 94, of Sulphur, who died at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital in Sulphur.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery with Fr. Joseph Greenwell officiating.
A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Visitation will be observed thursday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service.
She is survived by two brothers, William (Ted) Reagan of Sulphur and Lee Garland Reagan of Stuttgart, Ark.; one sister, Zula Mae Hannah of Houston; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Martin is preceded in death by her husband, Francis Alfred Martin; her parents, Edward and Emma Myers Reagan; three brothers, Marvel Glenn, Curley and Richard Reagan; and two sisters, Estelle Broussard and Vernice Holmes.
A lifelong resident of the Crowley area and a recent resident of Sulphur, she was very active in her church parishes.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
CROWLEY – Mrs. Florence Young, 95, died Sunday, May 18, 2003 at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Burial will be in the West Crowley Cemetery under the direction of Owens-Thomas Funeral Home in Crowley.
Eula Maud Byers
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2003, at Bethel C.M.E. Church for Eula Maud “Tit” Byers, 79, who died Saturday, May 17, at American Legion Hospital in Crowley.
Rev. Leslie Dugas, pastor of Bethel C.M.E. Church, will deliver the message.
Interment
will be in West Crowley Cemetery.
She is survived by one sister, Grace Brown; five brothers, Robert L. Byers and Ralph Byers, Granvel Byers, all of Crowley, Harold Byers of Houston and Donald Byers of Los Angeles, Calif.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 21, at Bethel C.M.E. Church beginning at 6 p.m. until the time of the funeral.
Syrie Funeral Home, Inc. of Lafayette is in charge of arrangements.
CROWLEY – Harvey Walter Arceneaux, 73, died at 10:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2003 at the Crowley Guest House. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Maxie Cemetery. Duhon Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
George Eckel Bertrand
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for George Eckel Bertrand, 85, who died Sunday, May 18, 2003, at his residence.
Rev. Ed Boyd will be officiating for the services. Burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery.
Visitation may be observed Monday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service.
He is survived by his wife, Irick Sarver Bertrand of Ebenezer; one son, George L. Bertrand and his wife Linda of Ebenezer; one daughter, Carolyn B. Clark and her husband John P. of Ebenezer; six grandchildren, Brian Bertrand of Lafayette, Scotty Bertrand of Ebenezer, Neal Bertrand of Ebenezer, John Stacy Clark of Lafayette, Cathie Serio of Lafayette and Bridgit Clark of Ebenezer; three great-grandchildren, Chase Bertrand of Ebenezer, Megan Serio and Tylen Clark, both of Lafayette; and two sisters, Rosella Sarver of Indian Bayou and Stella Robideaux of San Antonio, Texas.
Mr. Bertrand is preceded in death by his parents, Velia and Ida Sarver Bertrand; five brothers and three sisters.
The family would like to express their thanks to Patty and Jean with Hospice of Acadiana for their hard work and kindness.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
JENNINGS – Mary Elise Breaux, 60, of Mermentau died at 9:09 a.m. Sunday, May 18, 2003, at a Lafayette hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Matthews and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Jennings. Burial will be in Mermentau Cemetery with Matthews and Son Funeral Home of Jennings in charge of arrangements.
John B. Baker Sr.
LAKE ARTHUR - Funeral services for John B. Baker Sr., 87, of Gueydan were held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 19, at South Louisiana Christian Camp Grounds Tabernacle with Rev. Perry Sanders and Rev. Jesse Owen officiating. Burial will be in Gueydan Cemetery.
Mr. Baker died at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Lafayette.
A native of Wright and a resident of Gueydan, he was a retired farmer and cattleman. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church of Gueydan, member of Odd Fellows, the Masonic Lodge, and the Board of Directors of the South Louisiana Christians Camp Grounds for 47 years.
Visitation was observed on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home, and on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at South Louisiana Christian Camp Grounds Tabernacle in Lake Arthur.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Young Baker of Gueydan; two sons, John B. Baker Jr. and his wife Alta, and Dr. Tim Young Baker of Lafayette; a daughter, Mrs. Beryl Baker Wade and her husband Dr. James S. Wade Jr. of Lafayette; four grandchildren, Victoria Baker Flores, Collin Katheryne Wade, Regan Elizabeth Wade and Allyson Marie Wade; and a great grandchildren, John Baker Flores.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John Barton Baker and Rosa Barnett Baker; two brothers, Irving Barton Baker and Floyd Benjamin Baker Sr.; and one sister, Katheryne Baker Montgomery.
Pall bearers for the funeral were Brent Young, Scott Washington, Todd LaFleur, Jeff Casselman, Rev. Ark Baker, Roy Baker and J.D. DeBoskey.
Honorary pall bearers were the Board of Directors of the camp grounds, Gordon Casselman, Brian Hall and Eugene Miller.
Matthews and Son Funeral Home of Gueydan has been entrusted with the arrangements.
CHURCH POINT – Mrs. Alphonse “Bee” Bergeron, nee Mary Esther Leger, 82, died at 4:31 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003, at her daughter’s residence in Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 19, at Guidry Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Guidry Funeral Home of Church Point.
Regina Duplechin
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 20, at an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille for Regina Duplechin, 88, the former Regina Hensgens, who died Sunday, May 18, 2003, at 8:10 a.m. in Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.
Interment
was in the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Mowata.
Rev. Keith J. DeRouen, Rector, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was the celebrant of the Mass and conducted the funeral services. Jodi Bollich, organist, sang “Here I Am Lord,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “The Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Amazing Grace.”
Survivors include one son, Barry Duplechin and his wife Carol, and two daughters, Sharon Duplechin and Melanie Waters, all of Lafayette; four grandchildren, Alison Broussard and her husband Greg, John Duplechin, Cammi Duplechin, and Michael Waters; one great grandchild, Brice Broussard; four sisters, Marie “Sis” Heinen, Christine Chisholm, Louise Foley and her husband Tiny, and Yvonne Istre; and one brother, Nicholas Hensgens and his wife Doris.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Duplechin; her parents, Nicholas and Agnes Leonards Hensgens; one son-in-law, Donald Waters; one brother, Charles Hensgens; three sisters, Josephine LeBlanc, Helen Boudreaux, Annie Hundley and her step mother, Lilian M. Hensgens.
A native of Mowata and a lifelong resident of Lafayette, Mrs. Duplechin was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
She was a member of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed with the Lafayette Parish School System.
A rosary was prayed at 6 p.m. Monday in the Martin & Castille Funeral Home.
n lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs.Duplechin‚s name to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or to a charity of your choice.
Pallbearers are Michael Waters, Greg Broussard, John Duplechin, Michael Hundley, Gene Hensgens and Lenray Leger.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Martin & Castille Funeral Home, Inc. of Lafayette.
RAYNE - Anna Langley, 84, died at 3:45 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003. Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 18, in the Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery No. 2.
INDIAN BAYOU - Andrus “Uncle Ambrose” Thibodeaux, 93, of Duson, died at 8:50 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2003. Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Indian Bayou United Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home of Rayne.
Eric W. Grotefend
Funeral services for Eric W. Grotefend, 22, will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 19, at St. Michael Catholic Church.
The Rev. Gary Schexnayder, pastor, will officiate. Interment
will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed until 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Mr. Grotefend died at 3:55 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003, in Crowley.
Eric was attending LSUE and was employed at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Opelousas.
He is survived by his parents, David and Janet Leonards Grotefend; his three brothers, Eddie, John and Ross; his maternal grandparents, Henry and Wilma Leonards; and his paternal grandmother, Genevieve Meaux, all of Crowley.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Edgar Grotefend.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Center.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of arrangements.
William L. “Cowboy” Lalanne
JENNINGS Funeral services for William L. “Cowboy” Lalanne, 49, will be at 10 a.m Monday at Matthews & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Jennings.
The Rev. Jude Brunnert, M.S., will officiate. Mr. Lalanne’s body will be cremated.
Visitation will be until 10 p.m. Sunday and from 8 a.m. until the time of services Monday. A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Mr. Lalanne died at 3:12 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2003, at Jennings American Legion Hospital.
He was a native of Lake Charles and a resident of Jennings. He served in the Army.
He was mechanic and loved to fish and work on vehicles. He also loved to do gardening.
Survivors include his wife, Christelle C. Lalanne of Jennings; two step-sons, Cody Conner and Gerard Christopher Conner, both of Jennings; one daughter, Gina Jenkins and husband Chris of Atlanta, Ga.; his father, Leonard “Cowboy” Breaux of Sulphur; step-mother, Lois L. Breaux of Sulphur; four brothers, Dwayne Breaux, Shawn Breaux, Tony Breaux and B.J. Breaux, all of Sulphur; three sisters, Michelle Laughlin, Yolanda Breaux and Takiesha Breaux, all of Sulphur; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Annette Lalanne.
Matthews & Son Funeral Home of Jennings is in charge of arrangements.
Lee Esther Harris
CROWLEY - Home going celebration for Mrs. Lee Esther Harris will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 19, at St. Theresa Catholic Church.
Mrs. Harris, 77, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 14, 2003.
Visitation will be observed on Monday from 8 a.m. until the time of service. Father Raymond Sadlier will officiate for the services and final resting place will be at Woodlawn Mausoleum.
She was a faithful member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. Peter Clavier, Altar Society member, American Legion Auxiliary Post 506, and a member of the Rice City Chapter No. 35, Order of the Eastern Star.
She leaves to cherish her beautiful memories her husband, Joseph “Flea” Harris; her daughters, Joyce Harris, Beverly Jones, Veronica Wilridge, Carlos Augustus, Goldie Byers and Mary Washington; her very special grandchildren, Ruby and Courtney Allen, Jaylin, Kaylin and Antonio McClelland; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
CHURCH POINT – Ms. Shirley Venable, 67, died Thursday, May 15, 2003, at 3:30 a.m. at Acadia-St. Landry Hospital in Church Point. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Church Point. Burial will be in St. Edwards Cemetery in Richard under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home of Church Point.
CHURCH POINT – Mrs. Clarence Lyons, 91, nee Lydia Latiolais, died Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at Evangeline Oaks Guest Home in Carencro. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday, May 16, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Guidry Funeral Home in Church Point.
Mrs. P.L. “Betty” Lawrence
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, at First United Methodist Church in Crowley for Mrs. P.L. “Betty” Lawrence Jr., 89, who died of heart failure Tuesday evening, May 13, 2003 at Crowley American Legion Hospital.
Rev. Bob Hollis, pastor of First United Methodist Church, and Rev. Charles Floyd, pastor of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, will officiate for the services. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation may be observed at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Lawrence, nee Ouida Elizabeth Williams, was the daughter of Minor Viley Williams and ouida Mai Labit Williams Peterman, and step-daughter of Dr. E. Stanley Peterman of Crowley.
Born in Abbeville on May 27, 1913, she spent a portion of her childhood in Vicksburg, Miss., moved to Crowley and attended Crowley High School. She also attended Southwest Louisiana Institute (SLI), now know as U.L. of Lafayette.
She was “Miss Crowley” of 1932.
Before becoming a devoted wife and mother, she worked at Crowley Motor Company as bookkeeper. During World War II, she was among Crowley women who volunteered as “spotters” for enemy aircraft, keeping around the clock vigil from the roof of the seven-story First National Bank Building.
Until incapacitated by illness, she was very active in First United Methodist Church and numerous volunteer service organizations. Those included the PInk Lady Auxiliary of the American Legion Hospital, the Crowley Mental Health Center, Three Ten Service Club, Camp Fire Leader, and Cub Scout Den Mother.
She was preceded in death by her husband, P.L. Lawrence Jr.; her sister, Gladys Williams of Crowley; and her brother, Minor V. Williams of Fall Church, Va.
Mrs. Betty is survived by her three children, Anna Elizabeth Lawrence of Fort Worth, Texas, David Williams Lawrence and wife Meg of San Diego, Calif. and Percy Lee Lawrence III and wife Patti of Tampa, Fla.; and two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family requests that memorial donations in her name be made to First United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, Crowley Christian Care Center or Hospice of Acadiana.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley will be in charge of arrangements.
Maria Gertrude Naebers
ROBERTS COVE - Funeral services will be held during a 3 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial n Thursday, at St. Leo Catholic Church for Maria Gertude Naebers, 96, who died Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at Landmark Inc. in Crowley.
Interment
will be in St. Leo Cemetery.
The Rev. Frances Bourgeois, pastor of St. Leo Catholic Church, will conduct the services. Con-celebrants will be Rev. Jody Simoneaux, and Rev. Thomas Habetz.
Survivors include her brother, John A. Heinen Sr., of Rayne; and numerous nieces and newphews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry John Naebers; parents, William Michael Heinen and Barbara Hensgens Heinen; and eight siblings.
She was a member of St. Leo Altar Society and a charter member of Court St. Leo, Catholic Daughters.
The family request that visiting hours be observed from 8 a.m. Thursday until time of services.
A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home Inc. of Rayne.
Louie Hubert Green
A memorial will be held at a later date for Louie Hubert Green Jr., 70, who died Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 6:40 p.m. at the Crowley American Legion Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Berta Green of Iota; three daughters, Paula Peterson and her husband Wayne, Sharon Arceneaux and Melanie Green; two sons, Kevin and his wife Sheila, and Chuck Green and his wife Charlotte; one sister, Sandra Rhame and her husband Kenneth; four grandchildren, Ryan and Bryan Arceneaux, Jacob Green and Rebekah Green; numerous nieces and nephews, and a good friend, Tootie Dupont.
Mr. Green is preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Daisy Hudson Green Sr., and two brothers, Thomas and Curtis Green.
He was a member of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean Conflict where he earned two purple hearts. Mr. Green was also an avid fisherman and an excellent supervisor at home. He will be missed by his loving family and friends.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Iota will be in charge of arrangements.
DETROIT, MI. - Hillard Mott, a native of Crowley, died Monday April 21, 2003 at his residence in Detroit, Michigan. Burial was held on Saturday, April 26, 2003 out of Bethany Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.
Michael Joseph “Mike” McBride
WESTBROOK, MAINE- Services for Michael Joseph “Mike” McBride, 53, of Crowley are scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Westbrook, Maine.
A rosary will be recited Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Burial will be held in the Calvary Cemetery in South Portland, Maine.
Mr. McBride died at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, May 4, 2003 at his residence.
He was born on February 11, 1950 in Portland, Maine. He served in the Air Force as an electronics engineer. At the time of his death he was retired from the Air Force and had been a resident of Crowley for several years.
Visitation will be held at Blais Funeral Home located at 35 Church Street, Westbrook, Maine on Friday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until time of service.
He is survived by one daughter, Shannon McBride of Odenton, Maryland; one brother, John McBride of Sacramento, CA.; three sisters, Mrs. Carole Johnson of Galesburg, Michigan, Mrs. Maureen DuBose of Crowley and Mrs. Margaret Leasure of South Portland, Maine.
Matthews and Son Funeral Home of Jennings and Blais Funeral Home of Weskbrook, Maine have been entrusted with the arrangements.
CROWLEY – Frank Harmon, 49, died Friday, May 10, 2003 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, May 17, and wake services at 10 a.m. at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Agape Funeral Home in Shreveport is in charge of arrangements.
Freda T. Chiasson
ABBEVILLE - Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2003 at St. Theresa Catholic Church for Freda T. Chiasson, 84, who died at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at Bayou Village Nursing Home in Crowley.
Interment
will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
Rev. Randy Barras will conduct the services.
Survivors include her daughter, Marie B. Maynard and her husband, Glynn of Crowley; her grandchildren, Stephanie M. Hebert of Crowley, Beth M. Falterman of New Iberia and Chris Mayard of Pineville; a great grandchild, Anna Kate Hebert of Crowley; and a sister-in-law, Roberta Touchet.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Roy Byron; her second husband, Dallas Frederick; her third husband, Dalton Chiasson; her parents, Simeon Touchet and Marie Hebert Touchet; brothers and sisters, Edith Breaux, Cledus Touchet, Sidmay Trahan, Geneva Duhon, Paul Touchet, Jeanne Touchet and Freddie Touchet.
The family has requested that visiting hours be observed from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. until the time of the service Friday afternoon.
A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville.
Benjamin Trey Duhon
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at Northside Assembly of God for Benjamin Trey Duhon, 17, who died at 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2003, as a result of a car accident near Kaplan.
Reverend Loyd Singley will be officiating for the funeral service. Visitation may be observed Wednesday from noon until 10 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment
will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
He is survived by his parents, Jed and Theresa Duhon of Kaplan; maternal grandmother, Audrey Landry of Kaplan; paternal grandparents, James E. Duhon Sr. and Jeanelle Duhon of Kaplan; two sisters, Jamie Elizabeth Duhon and Jessica Eve Duhon, both of Kaplan; two brothers, James Eric Duhon of Warner Robbins, Ga. and Dustin Edward Duhon of Kaplan.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Joseph Jerry Landry, and his uncle, Eric Todd Duhon.
Benjamin was the Kaplan High School Class of 2003 Valedictorian. He was a member of the Kaplan High School Band and a member of the District Honor Band. He was also a member of the Kaplan High School Football and Track Teams.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley has been entrusted with the arrangements.
CHURCH POINT – Joseph Ray Brasseaux, 79, died at 12:35 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2003 at Eunice Manor Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home of Church Point.
CROWLEY – Frank Harmon, 49, died Friday, May 10, 2003 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, May 17, and wake services at 10 a.m. at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Agape Funeral Home in Shreveport is in charge of arrangements.
Donovan Gerard Richard
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel for Donovan Gerard Richard, 15, who died on Sunday, May 11, 2003 in Crowley.
Rev. Jimmy Broussard will be officiating for the funeral service. Visitation may be observed Tuesday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment
will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
He is survived by his mother, Carrie Simon of Crowley, and his grandmother, Emma Simon of Crowley.
He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Roland Simon.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Mary Alice Fontenot
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 14, at St. Michael Catholic Church at 3:30 p.m. for author and journalist Mary Alice Fontenot, 93, who passed away at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2003 at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Fontenot was born on April 16, 1910, in rural Acadia Parish, just outside Eunice.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Visitation will be held tuesday from noon to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Fontenot began her career as a journalist in the early 1940’s, writing a book review column for the Crowley Daily Signal. When she moved with her family to her home town of Eunice in 1946, she became the women’s news editor for the New Era. In 1957 she became the assistant editor of women’s news at the Lafayette Daily Advertiser, moving on later to write for th Rayne Acadian-Tribune and the Church Point News, the Iberville South (Plaquemine), The Daily World (Opelousas), and most recently, the Crowley Post-Signal. A volume of her feature stories published in the Crowley Post-Signal has been published by the Pointe de l’Eglise Genealogical Society. She has also written features for many other newspapers and periodicals, including the Morning Advocate (Baton Rouge) and Acadiana Profile. For several years she hosted a radio program on KSIG (Crowley).
Mrs. Fontenot is best known as the creator of the Clovis Crawfish series of children’s books. The seventeenth book in the series, Clovis Crawfish and Echo Gecko, came out in February. The eighteenth book, Clovis Crawfish and Silvie Sulphur, is now in production. Other children’s books are Mardi Gras in the Country, Tah-Tye, the Last Possum in the Pouch, The Star Seed, and The Ghost of Bayou Tigre. Mrs. Fontenot has also written a two-volume history of Acadia Parish (the first volume with Rev. Paul Freeland), The Cat and St. Landry (with Vincent Riehl), a biography of St. Landry Parish Sheriff D.J. “Cat” Doucet, The Louisiana Experience (with Julie Landry), The Tensas Story (with Edith Ziegler), The Gentle Shepherd (with Kathleen Toups), produced a cookbook, Cajun Accent, with Frances Dardeau and Cacky Riehl, and edited a number of cookbooks compiled by Mercedes Vidrine.
Mrs. Fontenot has received numerous awards for her writing, including the Acadiana Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award and the Louisiana State Library’s Honorary Young Readers Choice Award. She was named a Louisiana Legend by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and was recently inducted into the Order of Living Legends by the Acadian Museum in Erath. Generations of readers in Acadiana and beyond have been enriched by Mrs. Fontenot’s stories and her work in preserving south Louisiana history, culture, language, and genealogy.
Mrs. Fontenot was preceded in death by her parents, Kate (King) and Valrie Barras; her son, Robert Dale Fontenot; her first husband, Sidney J. Fontenot; her second husband, Vincent L. Riehl Sr., and her brother, Garland Barras.
Mrs. Fontenot is survived by her sister, Annie Cole of Columbia; her daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Michael Landry of Lafayette and Edith and Burton Ziegler of Newellton; her step-daughters and step-sons-in-law, Frances (Dardeau) and Tim Reilly of Lafayette, Adelaide and Roland Gahn of Lafayette, and Louise and Russ Kenyon of Florida; her stepson, V. Lee Riehl Jr. of Tennessee; nine grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; thirteen step-grandchildren and ten step-grandchildren.
The family requests that those wishing to honor Mrs. Fontenot should make donations to Hospice of Acadiana, the Academy of the Sacred Heart, or the library of their choice.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Dr. Wallace Martin McBride
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 14, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church for Dr. Wallace Martin McBride, 84, who died at 8:18 a.m. Sunday, May 11, 2003 at his residence in Crowley.
Father Gary Schexnayder will be officiating for the funeral service. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Visitation may be observed Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment
will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Dr. McBride was a resident of Crowley and a parishioner of St. Michael Catholic Church of Crowley. He served his country during WWII as a captain in the United States Army as a member of the 110th Evac Hospital of the European Tour.
He is survived by his children, Lynette Webb and her husband Charles of Conroe, Texas, Rita Lee and her husband David of Houston, Patrick Steven McBride and his wife Medley of Crowley, and Mary Meaux and her husband James of Burnsville, N.C.; three grandchildren, Charlie Webb, Andy Webb and Chris McBride; six step-grandchildren, Jolie Meaux, Ian Meaux, Michael Mack, Bryan Mack, Steven Mack and Lindsey Mack; and one step great grandchild, Ethan Mack.
Dr. McBride was preceded in death by his wife, Bridget Songy McBride, and his parents, Wallace and Iner Guidry McBride.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley has been entrusted with the arrangements.
CHURCH POINT - Mary Ella Howard, nee Doucet, a resident of Amelia and native of Church Point, died Friday, May 9, 2003. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. today, Sunday, May 11 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment
will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Guidry Funeral Home, Inc. of Church Point.
Gregory Jone Hayes
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 12, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for Gregory Jone Hayes, 38, who died May 9, 2003 at his residence.
The visitation will be observed Sunday, May 11, from 8 a.m. -10 p.m., and on Monday from 8 a.m. until service time. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening.
Burial will be in the Abshire Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Janet A. Hayes of Crowley; two daughters, Cassie L. Gauthreaux of Richard and Brooke Abshire of Crowley; his parents, Valery, Sr., and Mary David Hayes; six brothers, Hubert Hayes of Crowley, Bobby Joe Watzil of Gueydan, Herbert Hayes of Lake Arthur, and Valery Hayes, Jr., Tommy Hayes, and Jeff Hayes, all of Crowley; and, six sisters, Helen Romero of Lafayette, Cathy Trahan of Crowley, Brenda Simon of Crowley, Janice Sensat of LaPlace, Becky Breaux of Rayne and Kim Hayes of Crowley.
He was preceded in death by two nephews, Huey Hayes and Justin Simon.
Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 N. Avenue F in Crowley, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
TEE MAMOU – Elise R. Daigle, 77, of Evangeline died at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2003 at Jeff David Living Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at St. Jules Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Tee Mamou Cemetery under the direction of Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings.
Rayford Layne Sarver
CARENCRO - Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon, May 8, at 3 p.m. at Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel in Carencro for Rayford Layne Sarver, 46, who died Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at his residence in Carencro.
Interment
will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Crowley. The Rev. Loyd Singley, pastor of Northside Assembly of God Church in Crowley, will officiate at the services.
Mr. Sarver was a native of Texas and a resident of Carencro. He was a veteran of the military, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1976-1978.
Survivors include his wife, Dawn Floyd Sarver of Carencro; a stepson, David Wayne Simon II of New Orleans; his mother, Verbena Dale Simon Hoffpauir and stepfather, Julius Clyde Hoffpauir of Crowley; his maternal grandmother, Mella Simon of Crowley; two brothers, Anthony Keith Sarver and his wife Jane, and Mark Travis Sarver, all of Crowley; and a half-brother, Ray Corey Sarver.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rayford Sarver; maternal grandfather, Cesar Simon; paternal grandparents, Ernest Sarver and the former Cora Linscomb, and a brother, Barry Sarver.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 1:30 p.m. until service time on Thursday.
Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 North University Ave., Carencro, 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.
Earl Grant Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at St. Theresa Catholic Church for Earl Grant Jr., 58, who died Friday, May 2, 2003.
Visitation will be observed Thursday morning from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. A rosary will be said at 9 a.m. Thursday morning. Burial will be in West Crowley Cemetery with Fr. Richard Sadlier officiating.
He is survived by one son, Troy Anthony Grant of Crowley; two daughters, Alicia Denise Grant Carter of Dallas and Leigh Ann Grant of Lake Charles; two stepdaughters, Katrina Okolie and Melinda Wilson, both of Dallas; one sister, Karlyn Gibson of Crowley; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Loisey Grant Sr.; one sister, Shirley Woods; and one great nephew, Glennis Gibson.
Ford and Joseph Funeral Home in Opelousas has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Garrett Lee Duhon
RICHARD - Graveside services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2003 at St. Edwards Church Cemetery for Garrett Lee Duhon, four day old infant son of Sandra Richard Duhon and Carroll Duhon of Crowley.
The infant child died at noon Sunday, May 4, at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Lafayette.
He is survived by two brothers, Lynn Duhon and Justin Duhon of Crowley; maternal grandparent, Elda Richard of Crowley; and paternal grandparents, William Duhon of Crowley and Dorothy Duhon of Mermentau.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley is in charge of the arrangements.
RICHARD – Mrs. Lourence R. Richard, 69, died Monday, May 5, 2003 at 9:40 p.m. at Opelousas General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at St. Edward Catholic Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home of Church Point.
CHURCH POINT – Ms. Noemie V. Estilette, 91, died Monday, May 5, 2003, at 8:45 a.m. at Acadia-St. Landry Hospital in Church Point. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home in Church Point.
GALVESTON - Grady Butler, 71, of Galveston formerly of Crowley, died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at Health Care Rehabilitation Center in Galveston, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, at West Point Missionary Baptist Church in Galveston under the direction of R. F. Johnson Funeral Home of Galveston.
RAYNE – Ethel Comeaux, 88, of Rayne died at 5 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2003 at the Rayne Guest Home. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at Assumption Church in Mire. Burial will be in Assumption Church Cemetery under the direction of Duhon Funeral Home of Rayne.
Shirley B. Schexneider
KAPLAN - Funeral services will be held honoring the life of Shirley B. Schexneider, 72, on Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at a 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church. She will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery.
She died at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2003 at Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital.
She is survived by two sons, Larry Schexneider and his wife Sheila of Kaplan and Billy Schexneider of Houston; four daughters, Sally and her husband Atlas LeMaire of Kaplan, Judy and her husband Danny Fajkus of Houston, Patsy and her husband Johnny Dupuis of Kaplan, and Betty and her husband Giennward Smith of Couteau Holmes; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Evans Schexneider; one daughter, Peggy Sue Schexneider; one granddaughter, Dawn Meaux; and her parents, Ellis Boudreaux and the former Olita Broussard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home on Monday from 8 a.m. until the services on Tuesday afternoon.
Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan is conducting all funeral arrangements.
Marie Arpin Williams
LAFAYETTE - Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Sunday, May 4, 2003, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Marie Adele Arpin Williams, 86, who died Friday, May 2, 2003 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Lafayette.
Interment
will take place at Calvary Cemetery.
Rev. Keith DeRouen, Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, will be celebrant of the Mass and conduct the funeral services.
Mrs. Williams, the daughter of the late A.L. Arpin, founder of White Lake Land Company and Arpin Farms, and the former Florence deNevers, was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and raised in Gueydan and New Orleans.
Survivors include two daughters, Jeanne Williams Cornay and husband Louis of Lafayette and Barbara Ann Williams of Miami, Fla.; one son, Lew Williams of Scottsdale, Ariz.; grandchildren, Michelle C. Schmidt and husband Timothy of Mandeville, Louis (Jay) Cornay of Sacramento, Calif., Mrs. Chris (Emily C.) Mott of Shreveport, and Charles Richard Cornay and wife Jessica Smith of Lafayette; great grandchildren, Kramer, Catherine, William, Thomas, Samuel and David Schmidt, Camille, Madeline and Phillip Mott, Grant, Julia Clare and Anne Elizabeth Cornay, and Mary Adele Cornay.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Llewellyn A. Williams Jr.; one son, Richard L. Williams; brothers, Wilfrid, Edward and Louis, and sister, Florence.
Visiting hours will be observed on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and continue on Sunday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service.
A rosary was recited at 6 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will include Donnaud Williams, Sprague Williams, Dr. Mike Williams, Dr. Chris Mott, Timmy Schmidt and Charles Cornay.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Edward Joseph Gossen
RAYNE - Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 11 a.m. for Edward Joseph Gossen, 82, in the chapel of Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne. He died at home in Rayne. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery #2.
Edward attended public and parochial schools in Rayne during his elementary grade school years, and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1937. He attended USL for several years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was commissioned at Luke Field, Arizona in October 1943. He saw continuous service after he was commissioned and was awarded the air medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star and the Presidential Unit Citation, as well as the distinguished Flying Cross for extreme heroism and achievement in Korea. He was honorably discharge from the Air Force in April of 1952.
Edward was a lover of flowers and opened a flower shop in Rayne in 1953 but returned to his love of flying. He became a pilot for the La. Department of Public Safety Division of State Police Troop I in 1955. From there, he became a Motor Vehicle Inspector for a three parish area. He retired from the State Police in October of 1975.
Edward was a member of Acadiana Bromeliad Society, Orchid Society, the La Society for Horticultural Research, and at one time, was a consulting rosarian for the American Rose Society. He was also a member of the American Legion, Post 77, in Rayne.
He was active in civic affairs for the City of Rayne where he served on the Municipal Employee Civil Service Board for many years, was active on the Rayne Beautification Board, and was on the Youth Recreation Board in its early inception as social activities director.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bobbie Hains Gossen; daughters, Charmaine T. Jumonville and husband Paul of Rayne and Denise G. Smith of Lafayette; a son, Robert W. Gossen of Lafayette; and two grandsons, Carl J. Matte II and Damian L. Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.J. “Bill” Gossen and Della Marie Petitjean; a sister, Louetta G. Bertrand; a brother, Francis Allen Gossen; and one son, David Lynn Gossen.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Drs. Perret, Bacquet, Mounir, Boustany, Budden, McCarron, Physical Therapist Pete Babineaux, Jean Citizen and Hospice of Acadiana for the dedicated professional services offered to our loved one. In addition, the family would like to thank one very special nurse, Patti Guidry, Fr. Champagne and Deacon Davis who offered spiritual guidance.
Donations can be made in his name to Hospice of Acadiana.
Gossen Funeral Home of Rayne (334-3141) has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Rodney Simoneaux
RAYNE - Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel for Rodney Simoneaux, 79, who died at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2003, at Rayne Guest Home.
Burial will be in Hanks Cemetery in Morse with Fr. Thomas Vu officiating.
Visitation will be observed Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Survivors include three brothers, William (Kootsie) Simoneaux, Wilbert Simoneaux and Elwood (Pint) Simoneaux, all of Rayne; one stepdaughter, Lula Mae Green of Lafayette; one stepson, Many Mathews of Houston; and one sister, Gladys Cormier of Rayne.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Mathews Simoneaux; his parents, Maila and Wallace Simoneaux Sr.; and one brother, Wallace Simoneaux Jr.
He was a veteran of World War II as a member of the U.S. Air Force.
Duhon Funeral Home of Rayne is in charge of arrangements.
CHURCH POINT – J. Nelson Elkins Sr., 57, died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Edwards Cemetery in Richard under the direction of Guidry Funeral Home in Church Point.
CROWLEY – Wilson Jardell, 65, died at 8:20 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2003, at American Legion Hospital in Crowley. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley. Burial will be in Hanks Cemetery in Morse under the direction of Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley.
Vivian Thibodeaux
Funeral services for Vivian Thibodeaux, 80, were held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 2, in the chapel at Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley.
The Rev. Joseph Greenwell officiated the burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation was observed until 10 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. until the time of services Friday. A rosary was prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday evening.
Mrs. Thibodeaux died at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at her home in Crowley.
She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Thibodeaux of Crowley; two daughters, Maureen Levergne and Deborah Dean Thibodeaux, both of Crowley; two sons, Donnie Lynn Thibodeaux Sr. of Eunice and Larren Dale Thibodeaux of Prattville, Ala.; one sister, Dorothy Yvonne Trahan of Crowley; 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Artemise and Romain LeBlanc; two brothers, Darius LeBlanc and Joseph Bernice LeBlanc; and one sister, Verna Mae Thibodeaux.
Duhon Funeral Home of Crowley was in charge of arrangements.
JONESBORO - Martha Nell Crouch, 78, died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, in a Jackson Parish hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Friendship Church of the Nazarene in Robeline with burial in Friendship Cemetery under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.
CROWLEY - Mable Marshall, 90, died Friday, May 25, 2003 at her residence in Crowley. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Morning Star Baptist Church with burial in the West Crowley Cemetery under the direction of Owens-Thomas Funeral Home.
