John Raywood Lege

November 20, 1934 ~ August 27, 2026

Abbeville- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 10:30 am at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of John Raywood "Ray" Lege, 91, who passed away on August 27, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Rev. Louis J. Richard will officiate the services, with burial following at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery. Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons. Readers for the Mass will be daughters and granddaughters. Offertory gifts will be presented by daughters and grandchildren. Altar servers will be great-grandsons.
Ray was born on a farm near Abbeville, LA. He was the oldest of three children born to Percy "Kaplan" Lege and Zoie Marie LeBlanc Lege who were tenant farmers residing near Abbeville on Coulee Kinney. Ray grew up on the farm and attended Abbeville High, serving as an officer in several clubs and organizations and graduating with honors. During high school, he played varsity basketball and baseball, was selected "All District" in both sports, and played American Legion baseball during the summers. Ray continued his love of sports after high school by participating in adult softball leagues for several years. He enjoyed bowling and playing golf with friends, his sons and other family members.
Ray married his high school classmate, Clara Joyce Hebert. Over the years, they had eight children. Ray served in the National Guard as a Master Sergeant while working his way up from assistant payroll clerk to office manager for the Diamond Crystal Salt Company at Jefferson Island, LA from 1952 until 1986. Following that, he worked as office manager of the C.S. Steen Syrup Mill in Abbeville until retirement.
Ray was a past president of both the Mt. Carmel Elementary School Board and the Vermilion Catholic High School Board, past president of the Mt. Carmel-Vermilion Catholic Home and School Association, and past vice-president of the Vermilion Catholic Athletic Association. He was an assistant coach in Little League and Babe Ruth baseball for several years. Ray served as a Board member and Treasurer of the Richelieu Leger Family Association for 26 years.
Living his Catholic faith was a priority to Ray. He was a parishioner of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, where he served as a lector for 36 years. Ray was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. In his later years, both he and his wife always made time for praying, Bible readings and reciting the rosary throughout the day as well as attending virtual/streamed daily Mass and Divine Mercy Chaplet prayers.
Family was very important to Ray. "Gramps" and "Granny" spent many hours devoted to supporting and enjoying time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by attending sporting events, school and community activities, sacramental events and special family gatherings.
Ray is survived by his wife of 73 years, Clara Joyce Hebert Lege; his daughters Connie Rost, Jodie Bertrand (Roy, Jr.), Toni Williams (James, Jr.) and Michelle Hebert (Blair); his sons Terry Lege (Angelle), Duane Lege (Courtney) and Randall Lege (Mario); 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. He is also survived by his sisters, Joycie Broussard (Curtis) and Cheryl Meaux.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Bonnie Kaye Lege, son-in-law Davlon Rost, three infant grandchildren, and one infant great-grandchild.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home, 209 S. St. Charles Street, Abbeville on Monday, August 31, 2026 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, with a rosary at 6:30 pm. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 8:00 am until 10:15 am, when the procession will depart for church.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.