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Deputy Grand Master of the State of Louisiana Martin Reinschmid; 50 year member, Earl Toups; Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana James Steen and 11th District Deputy Grand Master of the State of Louisiana Kirby Henry

Toups receives 50 year pin and certificate

A presentation was made at the 11th Masonic District Meeting at Gueydan Lodge No. 429 to Brother Earl Toups on April 14, 2018.
He received his 50 year certificate and pin, which was presented by the 11th District Deputy Grand Master of the State of Louisiana Kirby Henry, the Deputy Grand Master of the State of Louisiana Martin Reinschmidt and the Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana James Steen.
Brother Toups is a Past Master and currently Senior Warden of Abbeville Lodge No. 192, Junior Deacon of Gueydan Lodge No. 429 and Senior Warden of the 11th Masonic District of the State of Louisiana.
In the 50 years, Toups has visited and attended meetings in several lodges worldwide. He has attended the ancient Lodge of Mother Kilwinning No. 0 in Scotland, which dates back to 1128 and Mary Chapel No. 1 of Edinburgh, Scotland, which the Duke of Edinburgh is a member. He also attended multiple lodges in Scotland and has also been a guest of the Grand Lodge of Scotland on three different occasions. He attended Lodges in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, numerous lodges in South Africa and had communications with Masons in South America (Venezuela, Ecuador, Trinidad and Brazil), and also in Lebanon and the Balkan countries of Romania and Bulgaria. He had acknowledgement with Masons in Moscow, Russia, plus several states in the United States.
Toups has given lectures on masonry and the founding fathers, the history of masonry in Louisiana and the importance of Christianity in our society. He has been an ambassador for masonry worldwide.
He was very honored and humble to have these officers from the Grand Lodge present him his certificate.

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Courtney Renee’ Broussard and Dason Jude Bernard

Courtney Broussard - Dason Bernard announce engagement

Mr. and Mrs. Chad Broussard of Erath and Mr. and Mrs. Mrs Matthew Cleveland of Abbeville, are pleased to announced the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Courtney Renee’ Broussard, to Mr. Dason Jude Bernard.
Her grandparents are Bradley and Neila Broussard of Erath and Russell and Bonnie LeLeux of Abbeville.
He is the son of Kevin and Margaret Bernard of Erath.
The wedding will take place on Saturday, May 25, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath.
The future bride is a 2010 graduate Erath High School and a 2014 graduate of UL Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is employed by Schoeffler Energy Group, Inc.
The prospective groom is a 2010 graduate of Erath High School and a 2014 graduate of UL Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science in General Studies. He is employed by Kevin J. Bernard Contractor.

Birth announcements

Dayveon De’Shon Levine
A son, Dayveon De’Shon Levine, was born Friday, April 13, 2018, at Abbeville General to Shondraca Re’Shonae Levine of Abbeville.

Mila Kathryn Duhon
A daughter, Mila Kathryn Duhon, was born April 5, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Duhon of Maurice.
The mother is the former Renee Hargrave.

Emmit James Reaux
A son, Emmit James Reaux, was born April 5, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Jed Reaux of Erath.
The mother is the former Katie Sellers.

Easton Lee
Vincent
A son, Easton Lee Vincent, was born April 5, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Tanya Ardoin and Godfrey Vincent of Kaplan.

Kayden Joshua Clement
A son, Kayden Joshua Clement, was born April 2, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Kindred Clement of Abbeville.
The mother is the former Lexis Jackson.

Ellen Victoria Guidry
A daughter, Ellen Victoria Guidry, was born april 3, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Briana Baudoin and Grant Guidry of Abbeville.

Jayce Noel Frank
Jaylen Nasir Frank
Twin son, Jayce Noel Frank and Jaylen Nasir Frank, were born March 11, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Victoreal Frank of Lafayette.

Malaysia Reese Levine
A daughter, Malaysia Reese Levine, was born March 27, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Brittany Jones and Joshua Levine of Abbeville.

Reese James Levier
A son, Reese James Levier, was born March 26, 2018, at Women’s at Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levier of Abbeville.
The mother is the former Lindsay Aguilar.

Hazel Grace Zamora
A daughter, Hazel Grace Zamora, was born March 24, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Cagney Goulette and Ray Zamora of Abbeville.

Rylee Ray
Dugas
A daughter, Rylee Ray Dugas, was born March 23, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Cody Dugas of Erath.
The mother is the former Kelsey Morvant.

RuthAnn Grace Landor
A daughter, RuthAnn Grace Landor, was born Firday, April 15, 2018, at Abbeville General to Ann Catherine Landry and Carlos Sharay Landor of Abbeville.

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State Police release details of pedestrian fatality on Highway 14 near Abbeville

VERMILION PARISH – On Thursday, shortly after 12:30 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I investigated a fatal crash on LA 14 near Marcus Road in Vermilion Parish. The crash claimed the life of a pedestrian identified as 59-year-old Gloria Yanna of Erath.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Yanna parked her vehicle on the westbound shoulder of LA 14 and began to cross the roadway. Yanna entered the right lane of LA 14 eastbound and was struck by a 2016 Ford Explorer, driven by 28-year-old Kaitlin Rogers of Erath.
Yanna sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene by the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office. Rogers was wearing a seat belt and was not injured. Rogers voluntarily submitted to a chemical test and no alcohol was detected.
It is unknown if Yanna was impaired at the time of the crash. Toxicology samples were taken and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. No charges have been filed at this time and the crash remains under investigation.
Pedestrians and motorists alike are urged to remain vigilant while on area roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Crashes involving pedestrians can often be avoided by following some basic safety guidelines. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing and should always avoid walking on the roadway. Pedestrians must also assume that approaching motorists cannot see them. Crossing roadways only in well-lit, designated areas and always walking facing traffic will enhance the safety for pedestrians.

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Deyshia Hargrave (left) holds up her Courage Award that she was given by the LTAE. Next to her is Debbie Meaux.

Courage Award winner

Hargrave honored by the state teacher’s association

One question has changed the life of Deyshia Hargrave, a Rene Rost Middle School teacher.
At a Vermilion Parish School Board meeting a few months ago, Hargrave asked Superintendent Jerome Puyau why he thought it was right for him to get a pay raise when teachers have not gotten one in years. A few minutes later, Hargrave was being escorted out of the meeting by Reggie Hiltz, who works for the Abbeville Marshal’s office. Hiltz handcuffed Hargrave, placed her in a police car and drove her to the Abbeville Police Station.
A video of her being escorted out of the meeting and being handcuffed went viral in 24 hours. Hargave became in instant celebrity and interviewed by national media. The video, as of today, has 3.3 million views.
Today, because of the video, Hargrave’s life is not the same as it was before she questioned Puyau’s pay raise.
“My life has changed in the way that people recognize me,” she said. “People all over the world have sent me mail to my house or messaged me to express their outrage and support of me. I have really seen good in the world after having experienced some of the worst treatment by my own employer.”
This past weekend, Hargrave was honored by the Louisiana Teacher’s Association of Educators (LTAE) for how she conducted herself at the school board meeting where she was escorted out of meeting.
She received the Courage Award from the state teacher’s association.
“Courage comes from doing what is right even when everyone else is doing something different,” she said. “I was honored to receive the award of courage. I stood up one day as a mother, taxpayer and teacher to question something that did not seem right to me. That one question has impacted my life in so many ways.”
She added that when she thinks about the Award of Courage, she thinks about a quote hanging in her house in the living room.
“You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.”
“Courage comes from the power we already have as teachers. The power to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and the power to do what is right everyone else are doing something different,” Hargave said.

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Glenn Arthur Matthews

Lafayette – Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church for Glenn Arthur Matthews.
Interment will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery in Erath, LA.
Glenn Arthur Matthews was born September 19, 1958 in Lafayette, LA to Mr. Steve Matthews Sr. and Mrs. Joyce Pillette Joseph. He departed from this life on April 13, 2018 at 59 years old.
Glenn was employed with Haliburton Oilfield Services for several years. He was a member of the Mason’s Live Oak Lodge #193. Glenn was a Louisiana State Representative for the National Kidney Foundation where he attended annual conferences in Washington D.C. Most of all, Glenn was a family man, awesome father, son, and brother. Glenn loved working with his hands and created beautiful things and was known as the “Project Man.” He always had a smile that would light up the room and spread joy to everyone he knew. He will be deeply missed.
Glenn was blessed with a loving family. He is survived by Rose Perkins, his loving fiancée of 26 years; his son, Jacolby Matthews of Carencro, LA; his daughter, Natasha Williams of Abbeville, LA; his loving mother, Joyce Pillette Joseph of Erath, LA; six loving sisters, Carolyn Henderson (Raymond) Abbeville, LA, Angela Matthew of Long Beach CA, Mary Morrison (Purvis) of Scott, LA, Cindy Joseph Meyers (Richard) of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Shannon Broussard of Lafayette, LA and Stephanie Brannon (Lawrence) of North Carolina; six loving brothers, Preston Joseph Jr. of Abbeville, LA, Terry Joseph of Abbeville, LA, Whitney Joseph (Rhonda) of Chiefland, FL, Kevin Joseph (Mona) of Cecilia, LA, Terry Matthews (Sheila) of Abbeville, LA and Michael Matthews (Carla) of Abbeville, LA. He also is survived by his four grandsons, two godchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, family and friends.
Glenn was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Steve Matthews Sr.; maternal grandparents, Arthur and Effie Dozier Pillette and his paternal grandparents, Issac Matthews and Gertrude Collins; his brothers, Steve Matthews Jr. and Ronald Matthews.
Glenn will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 21, 2018 at St. Anthony Catholic Church from 7:00 a.m. until time of service. A rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m.
Sign the guestbook online at www.syriefh.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Syrie Funeral Home, Inc. of Lafayette, LA.

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Kathleen “Katy” Ouida Musumeche Elmer

May 30, 1938 ~ April 17, 2018

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Kathleen Ouida Musumeche Elmer, 79, who died Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at Pelican Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation. She will be laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lee Lavergne, Tyler Elmer, Cody Hebert, Zach Wilson, Toby Strother and Roger Musumeche.
Mrs. Kathleen “Katy” Musumeche Elmer passed away just short of her 80th birthday. She fought a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a very family-oriented person always lending a helping hand. She was a 1956 graduate of Abbeville High School and a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur Lee Elmer, Sr.; three children, Susan Lee Elmer Lavergne and her husband Joe of Lafayette, Kimberly Elmer Touchet and her husband Kevin “Pete” of Abbeville, and Arthur Lee Elmer, Jr. and his wife Carmen of Abbeville; eight grandchildren, Karinda T. Hebert (Cody), Krystal T. Boudreaux, Lee Lavergne (Jennifer), Lauren L. Wilson (Zach), Kayla E. Mayers (Chris), Tyler Elmer, Pamela Yanez and A.J. Yanez (Shari); fourteen great grandchildren; and brother, Roger M. Musumeche of Youngsville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rocco Joseph Musumeche, Sr. and the former Ouida Marie Rageur; one brother, Rocco J. Musumeche, Jr.; and one sister, Mary Musumeche.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, April 20, 2018 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM; Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 8:00 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.

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Robert Allen Broussard

July 14, 1958 ~ April 4, 2018

KAPLAN — Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 20, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Robert Allen Broussard, 59, who died on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Memorial Hermann Medical Center. Reverend Nicholas Dupre' will be officiating the services.
Robert attended Kaplan High School graduating in 1976. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed gambling. He loved all sports, including Houston Astros Baseball, Saints Football, basketball and all of UL Ragin Cajun sports.
He is survived by his sister, Sharon and her husband, Darrell Hargrave of Houston, TX; one nephew, Chad Hargrave and his wife, Chelsey of Houston, TX; two nieces, Kristie and her husband, Michael Houston of Houston, TX and Kim Hargrave of Houston, TX; two great nephews, Zach Shelton and his wife, Emily and Jackson Hargrave; and four great nieces, Tori Shelton, Mackenzie Hargrave, Emily Hargrave, and Ashlyn Hargrave.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Joyce Broussard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., Friday, April 20, 2018 from 11:00 AM until services with a rosary being prayed at 12:00 PM.
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 Broussard family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Abbeville, LA 70510
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Kaplan, LA 70548