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Driven to help her 13-year-old brother Gage Ritchey, who has Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy, Angelica David has helped raise funds for MDA.

Erath Middle Assistant Principal Marlene Primeaux presents a donation to Angelica David that will go to the MDA.

Sister helping brother

Wed, 04/19/2017 - 8:52am

ERATH — For nearly the last 10 years, Angelica David has put a great deal of energy into raising money. “Throughout ...

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The Spirit Festival was held in Abbeville.

Easter Spirit celebrated in Abbeville Community

Tue, 04/18/2017 - 9:55am

Several Church communities came together to celebrate Abbeville's first Spirit Fest at the Christian Service Center.
Several hundred people with many faith backgrounds and folks from the local neighborhood came together to honor God and one another during Spirit Fest. New Life Church, Harvest Time, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Theresa's, First Holy Ghost, Lighthouse Ministries, Family Missions Company, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church and Pleasant Green Baptist Church were all present and worked together for the ecumenical event.
For the last month, participating churches collected food in support of the Christian Service Center. Churches were invited to collect a particular item in order to provide a special gift bag to give away for the event. For example, Harvest Time collected hundreds of cans of spaghetti sauce, St. Paul's and United Methodist Church collected pasta, Pleasant Green Baptist Church collected desserts and several other churches and schools collected canned vegetables. On the days leading up to Spirit Fest, the food was delivered to the Christian Service Center and on Saturday morning, over 100 volunteers from a dozen faith communities gathered and assembled bags of food to give away to those in need. Over 400 bags of food were assembled and given away within the last week, due to the teamwork and commitment of local faith communities.
"The mission of the Christian Service Center is the 'Feed the Body, Mind and Spirit with Love'. In this event, our goal was to do just that. We had a ecumenical prayer team, we provided resources to empower the community for a better life and we offered food for the body as well. We plan on this being an annual event" said Director of Operations, Marcelo Davis.
John Listi, whose parents founded the Christian Service Center forty years ago said, "Having been raised on that property and knowing that it had always been used to serve the Lord and glorify God, it was amazing to see the Christian community come together across racial and denominational boundaries to praise God together and love one another in the spirit of unity."
Frank Summers, Catholic missionary and founder of Family Missions Company added, "It was the first time I have ever seen so many denominations all come together in this area for the common purpose of serving the poor and honoring God".
Pastor Lane Payne from New Life Church who helped to plan the event was filled with optimism as he shared, "I am thankful to the leadership of the Catholic Church for opening the opportunity to us to join with them in bringing Jesus to our Community. I am so looking forward to working together with the entire Body of Christ moving forward."
Other church leaders and pastors expressed great enthusiasm for the new momentum to serve the community in a unified effort. "I am so deeply thankful for the uniting of so many different churches and groups to serve the needs present in this community. Spirit Fest was Spirit-filled as we shared together the love of God, especially for those in need." says Fr. Christopher Heying from St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Reverend Osborne Taylor from NAACP shared "The Spirit Fest was phenomenal. There was such a sweet Spirit of peace and togetherness. I believe Heaven was well pleased."
Pastor Michael Wight from Pleasant Green Baptist Church said,
"I was so blessed to be a part of this, it was so wonderful to see everyone working together for a common good. We need more opportunities like this for our Abbeville Community."
Spirit Fest was an awesome time of God's people coming together under one banner. The Love of God, through Jesus Christ His Son, Vermilion Parish will never be the same after this beautiful show of unity in the Body of Christ, said Pastor Steve Delino from Harvest Time.
"We hope this is the beginning of a stronger team effort for our community to come together and 'Feed the Body, Mind and Spirit with Love.' added Marcelo Davis. "Our next focus will be on serving together as a united community for a teen service day on July 29th, 2017. We will keep the community informed as we move forward.
The Christian Service Center would like to thank all the pastors, volunteers and individuals who contributed to making the event a success. Sponsors include Gulf Coast Bank, Abbeville General, Vermilion Parish School Board, Vermilion Interact Club.

Mrs. Elgin Prejean Baudoin enjoys going back to North Vermilion.

North Vermilion's Granny full of patience, energy

Tue, 04/18/2017 - 9:43am

Prejean enjoys being substitute teacher

Bruce DuBois

At North Vermilion High School students often have the pleasure of spending the day with a substitute teacher named Elgin Prejean Baudoin, aka Granny. It’s her big smile and sweet disposition that grabs them.
Granny may be in her 70’s, but she commands respect and skillfully helps students get through the work their teachers leave for them. She knows the ins and outs of the school routine and is not intimidated by technology nor the height of the students. Mrs. Elgin is a 5-foot granny full of patience and love.
Anne-Kathryn Dartez, 2017 senior from Maurice, says, “Everyone looks forward to having Mrs. Elgin as a sub in class. She is one of NVHS’s best.”
All spring long, as students prepared for literary rally, Granny knew what that is like.
She went to the USL rally and placed first in both English grammar and in Home Economics in the year. Mrs. Elgin is quick to downplay her accomplishment to praise her teachers, Billy Wayne Broussard in English, Lula Belle Bowles in Home Ec. and Joyce Gauthier in Math.
“They are the reason I did so well,” she says. “Every subject was my favorite and my teachers were mentors to me.”
She went on to the state rally at LSU.
“It was a long bus ride all the way through Opelousas and Krotz Springs. After testing we sat on the parade grounds to wait for the results around 3:00. Then we came home. It was a long, wonderful day.”
After all these years, Mrs. Elgin still loves being in the English classroom as a substitute, especially whenever grammar is in the lesson.
“Being with the kids keeps me mentally alert and I’m relearning things I’ve forgotten,” she chuckles. “I’m still trying to learn.”
Granny has learned how to use the computer so that she can do her work better. She credits the students for her progress. “It was Michael Dartez who taught me how to use a mouse. Now I can get on Google and other websites. I don’t play video games, though.”
Mrs. Elgin might not play games, but she tries her hand at conducting North Vermilion’s award-winning band. She often substitutes as the band directors travel to performances with their students. Breelynn Brigola, drum major for 2017-18, adds, “She’s so supportive. She comes to all of our band concerts. She teaches us so much.”
Last week, NVHS announced the six girls to Pelican State for 2017. In 1956, Elgin Prejean was the only girl to represent Maurice High School. “There was one girl and one boy that year. I can still remember us walking from the dorms to the State Capitol. I enjoyed it thoroughly but I was scared to death. It was my first time at LSU in Baton Rouge and I was a little country girl with a dorm room to myself. My roommate got sick and went home. But I was not going to give up.”
“The principal was Mr. Romain Picard, Cecil’s dad, and we were all kind of afraid of him. I guess I didn’t want to disappoint him, Mr. Raymond Ledet who was the assistant principal and all my teachers.”
As the seniors prepare for graduation, Elgin remembers what it was like to graduate from old Maurice High, as she put it.
Elgin Prejean was valedictorian of the class of 1957. “We were only 15 to graduate, so it wasn’t hard to be valedictorian.”
She punctuates her sentence with a big laugh. To be sure, her parents, Nicholas and Edia Prejean were very proud of her.
They probably could not imagine that she would one day teach at NVHS, just one mile north of their homestead at the end of Claude Road to the south of La Butte, known today as Leroy.
Three weeks after graduation, on June 20, Miss Elgin Prejean became Mrs. Edgar Baudoin, Jr. She has two children and a few grandchildren of her own. What is wonderful is that she has more than 650 NVHS students who call her Granny. North Vermilion High is lucky to have her!

Eva Mae Warfield

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 4:25pm

ABBEVILLE — Memorial services for Eva Mae Warfield, 74, will be 12 Noon Tuesday April 18 2017 at 801 S. John Hardy Drive with the entrance and parking on Sunshine Drive.
Eva, born in Kaplan, and a resident of Abbeville, passed away Sunday April 16, 2017 in a Lafayette hospital.
She was a U.S. Army Veteran. Eva loved arts and crafts, especially sewing and crocheting. She kept an open heart and an open home. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, to not only her own, but also to many of her children’s friends as well.
She is survived by her husband Glen L. Warfield Jr. of Abbeville; her daughters Kimberly Lattin and husband Tim of Griswold, CT, Catherine Warfield of Abbeville; sister Mary Gary of Abbeville, and 7 grandchildren Brianna, Kendra, Shaye, Aubrey, Morgan, Canaan, and Dakota.
She is preceded in death by her parents Iby and Euranie Bertrand Dartez, her son Glen L. Warfield III, and 10 siblings.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville is in charge of arrangements. 2600 Charity St. Abbeville, LA 70510 (337) 893-3777.

Roy Paul Richard

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 4:24pm

July 31, 1934 ~ April 16, 2017

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church honoring the life of Roy Paul Richard, 82, who died Sunday, April 16, 2017 at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Rev. Gregory Cormier officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly L. Richard; daughter, Tina R. Carr; grandchildren, Ryan Richard, Torrey Broussard, Pasha Carr, Camie Whitaker, Nerissa Carr, Kristen Bourque, Derik Richard and Nicole Richard; and fifteen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Leland P. Richard; parents, Adonis Richard and the former Rosita Frederick; and brothers, L.J. Richard, Joseph Richard and Alton Richard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 9:00 AM until 1:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary being prayed at 12:00 PM.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Russell Wade Hebert

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 4:22pm

March 7, 1948 ~ April 15, 2017

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Russell Wade Hebert, 69, returned to his heavenly home on April 15, 2017 after a short illness. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery.
He was born to the late John Renes Hebert and Adlais Vincent Hebert on March 7, 1948 in Abbeville, LA.
Russell was immersed in the Christian Community. He was a devoted employee of Bay City Ford for 40 years.
Russell was blessed with a loving family.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mona Durke Hebert; daughters, Stacie Hebert and Kellie Hebert-Kelly and her husband, Ryan; son, Nicholas Hebert; grandchildren Gavin Hebert, Keaton and Rhett Kelly; brother, Chris R. Hebert with his wife, Loretta and their children.
Russell is preceded in death by his parents.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from 9:00 AM until time of services.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

City officials and volunteers welcome Cleanest City judges. Front row (L-R): Liz Gremillion, Abbeville Garden Club President and Cleanest City co-chair, Patsy Hebert, Cleanest City co-chair, Gwen Lanoux, Abbeville Garden Club and Keep Abbeville Beautiful, Sophia Guidry, Stephanie Thompkins and Jane Anders, Cleanest City Judges, Sandra
Creswell, Cleanest City Co-chair, Mayor Mark Piazza and Councilman Francis Touchet Jr. Back row (L-R):
Councilman Francis Plaisance and Councilman Brady Broussard Jr.

Abbeville wins Cleanest City district title

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 9:18am

The City of Abbeville left an indelible mark on the judges for the Louisiana Garden Club Federation’s Cleanest City Contest. Judges ...

Kiwanis Club members Andrew Dozier (left) and Mark Piazza present Kim Brousard with a donation for her shoe drive to benefit American Cancer Society.

Abbeville woman who survived cancer going strong with shoe drive

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 9:12am

Kim Broussard began her fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society about a year after receiving her own diagnosis. Doctors diagnosed ...

Joyce Campbell

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 9:05am

October 30, 1954 ~ April 13, 2017

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Joyce Campbell, 62, who died Thursday, April 13, 2017 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Clint Trahan officiating the services.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Daniel “Shamo” Campbell; one son, Philip Campbell and his wife, Kristi of Kaplan; two daughters, Charlotte Campbell of Abbeville and Andrea and her husband, Ryan “Red” Richard of Lyons Point; her mother, Irene Mire Bourque of Kaplan; and four grandchildren, Emily Campbell, Kelsey Campbell, Olivia Richard, and John William Richard.
She was preceded in death by her father, Willis Demette; and one sister, Brenda Demette.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Monday, April 17, 2017 from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from 8:00 AM until services.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the ALS Foundation (11725 Industriplex Blvd Suite 4, Baton Rouge, LA 70809).
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Campbell family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

Mae Rose Dubois Matte

Mon, 04/17/2017 - 8:59am

August 20, 1937 ~ April 14, 2017 KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, April ...

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Sister helping brother

Easter Spirit celebrated in Abbeville Community

North Vermilion's Granny full of patience, energy

Eva Mae Warfield

Roy Paul Richard

Russell Wade Hebert

Abbeville wins Cleanest City district title

Abbeville woman who survived cancer going strong with shoe drive

Joyce Campbell

Mae Rose Dubois Matte

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