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On Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, Sister DePorres Polk formerly of Erath, lost her battle with cancer at the Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Erath native, Barbara Polk was born to Henry and Dorothy Mae (Jessie) Polk on July 23, 1943. She attended Dozier Elementary as a child and was a 1961 Herod High graduate. She was one of three children. She has one remaining sister; Judith Polk Lightfoot and she lost a brother Preston Richard in December 2015.
As a native of Erath, Sister DePorres shared once, that although her mother was not Catholic, she made the decision that her children would attend the nearby Catholic Church for Mass and religious education classes offered by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Sister DePorres shared in an interview, “When I was 14 years old, I felt the call of God on my life. I knew I had to finish school before I could even think about entering a convent. I graduated from high school and then worked at the rectory for Father Emery Labbe.”
As told by Sister de Porres, she resisted her “calling” for a few years and her parish priest, Father Emery Labbe’ would to tease her by saying he was going to send her to a convent. He told me one day, “Barbara, I’m going to send you to a nunnery.” She jokingly replied, “You, and who else?” She added, “I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. I wasn’t sure what God was calling me to, but I wasn’t ready for marriage either. Between the two, the Lord won.”
One Sunday, Sister de Porres explained that she was listening to a homily by Father Labbe’ at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath when the clarity of her calling finally hit home. When she looked and heard her parish priest that day, she says she didn’t see her him, but Jesus standing there. She shared, “I forgot the words he used, but I said, "OK, you win! I knew then that I could not delay my decision any longer. I love every minute of it. I am so grateful that the Lord continued to pursue me and did not give up on me.” Sister de Porres said.
In an interview in an Arkansas paper, she stated, “I visited Holy Rosary School in Lafayette, Louisiana with the Holy Family Sisters, but I realized they were not the ones I wanted to join. The Sisters from Holy Angels Convent were my religious education teachers. They were so jovial and joyful. I felt a drawing to their way of life. Sr. Mary John Seyler told me, ‘You know, Barbara, when someone invites you to a banquet, you don’t refuse.’ She responded by saying, “That got me to thinking.”
Barbara Polk entered the Holy Angels Convent on August 6, 1967, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She professed her vows on July 11, 1969.
After Sister de Porres joined the order, she worked as a licensed practical nurse in labor and delivery for almost 30 years at St. Bernard’s. She also served in Little Rock where she was a liaison for the Diocesan Council for Black Catholics and then served as the Sub Prioress at the Holy Angels Convent. After she was sicker, she stepped back as a Sub Prioress and then helped produce work schedules for the sisters of the convent.
Diagnosed twice with breast cancer, Sister de Porres Polk found strength through her faith. Sister De Porres Polk battled breast cancer in 2008 and won that battle. However, it was back in 2015.
Her faith, however, was her guiding light through both bouts of cancer. She shared in an interview with the Arkansas Catholic in 2015, “If it wasn’t for my faith, I wouldn’t be able to get through this. If it wasn’t for God and Jesus holding my hand, I wouldn’t make it through.”
On October 11, 2015, Sr. DePorres who was 72 at the time, was named as a Warrior Women Wall of Fame honoree at the St. Bernard’s Imaging Outpatient Center in Jonesboro. The Warrior Wall recognizes women who have battled breast cancer.
On July 11, 2017, this past year, she celebrated 48 years of service as an Olivetan Benedictine Nun.
Sister DePorres (Barbara Polk) was a great granddaughter of Robert and Frances Dozier of Erath. The Dozier couple were the founders of the original Dozier school in Erath back in 1911. She was also the great granddaughter of Rosalind Gradne and the granddaughter of Lizzie (Dozier) and Alicide Jessie and Henry Sr. and Maggie Polk.
Viewing will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2018 with the Vigil at 6:30 PM and the rosary at 7:00. The funeral mass will be at 10:00 am on Monday, February 5th at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

September 3, 1960 ~ January 27, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A memorial gathering will be held Monday, February 05, 2018 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, honoring the life of Todd Edmond” Big Podnuh” Moreland, 57, of Abbeville, who passed from this life onto his Heavenly reward, on Saturday, January 27, 2018.
Todd was born on September 3, 1960 in Abbeville, La. He attended Mt Carmel Elementary, Vermilion Catholic High School and graduated from Abbeville High School, in the class of 1980. Todd worked for nearly 2 decades with Acadian Ambulance Service, in Vermilion Parish, and as a Reserve Officer with the Abbeville Police Department, for several years. After sustaining a career ending injury, in an oilfield accident, Todd will be remembered as the voice of CC’s Restaurant for many years.
Todd is survived by his daughter, Haylie Teresa Moreland, of Rayne; step-children, Ashliegh (Ricky) Quibodeaux of Rayne and Jake Carrier of Rayne; four beautiful step-granddaughters, Tatum E. Hill, Ricki P. Quibodeaux, Rynn P. Quibodeaux and Rowen P. Quibodeuax, of Rayne; three sisters, Joan (Phil) Sellers of Abbeville, Glynda (James) Bourgeois of Houma, and Kay Moreland of Florida; nieces Kate Bourgeois and Julie Sellers Noegel; nephews, Andy Sellers and Ross Bourgeois; and an abundance of friends, especially his beloved “Soda Gang”.
Todd was preceded in death by his parents, Glynn R. Moreland and Rita Hebert Moreland of Abbeville; two infant brothers; daughter, Kennedi Clair Moreland; and several members of his “Sodas”.
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.

RAYNE — Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018 at a 2:00 pm in Gossen Funeral Home Chapel in Rayne, LA for Edwin Coy Wyatt, 81, who died Wednesday January 31, 2018 at his residence in Rayne, LA.
Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2 in Rayne, LA.
Pastor Micah Collins, Pastor of Elizabeth Memorial Baptist Church in Branch, LA will conduct the funeral services.
Coy was a dedicated employee of Columbia Gulf Transmission Company for Thirty-seven years. After a brief retirement, he worked an additional eight years for Chet Mornson Contractors. Coy never met a stranger, enjoyed golf and Saturday nights in Tiger Stadium, and loved his family above all.
Survivors include wife, Estelle Zaunbrecher Wyatt of Rayne, daughter, Donna Wyatt Trahan of Youngsville, granddaughter, Allison Trahan Saltzman and husband Kevin of Crowley, grandson, Chris Trahan and wife Sarah of Baton Rouge, two great grandsons, Eli Saltzman and JonLuc Saltzman of Crowley, sister, Elaine Wyatt Gilbert of Rayne, two brothers, Wayne Wyatt and wife Gloria of Rayne, Huey Wyatt of Dallas, TX.
He was preceded in death by son in law, Peter Trahan, parents, Ivan Wyatt and Hattie Jeffers Wyatt, brother in law, Buddy Gilbert, sister in law, Sarah Wyatt.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne LA on Thursday February 1, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Friday February 2, 2018 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.

LAFAYETTE – Today, One Acadiana (1A)’s leadership announced new appointments to its regional board of directors. The more than 80-member board of the economic development organization and chamber of commerce will focus on business development, policy, and investor and member engagement initiatives.

The election of 1A’s 2018 officers includes:
Don Broussard, CFO of The Lemoine Company, 2018 Chairman
Kathy Bobbs, CEO of Women’s & Children’s Hospital, 2018 Chair-Elect
David Edmond, Tax Director, Postlethwaite & Netterville, 2018 Treasurer
Steven Hebert, CEO, Billeaud Companies, 2018 Secretary
Frank Neuner, Managing Partner of NeunerPate, Immediate Past Chairman

“With three years under our belt and a strong foundation, One Acadiana is well-poised to meet the significant opportunities 2018 will present,” said Broussard. “As the 2018 Chairman of the Board, I’m glad to have the confidence of the business community. I plan to work closely with 1A’s new President & CEO Troy Wayman on Acadiana’s priorities including the development of our workforce, marketing our region, and the diversification of our economic drivers.”

A new slate of three-year elected directors includes:
Alta Baker, Safe Haven Enterprises
Dr. Jason Cormier, Acadiana Neurosurgery
Jared Doise, Legend’s Bar and Grill
Chris Haik, Haik Insurance Holdings
Peter Pham, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Anne Pyle, ADP Solutions
Missy Rogers, Noble Plastics

One-year Chair-Elect’s appointments include:
Chad Abell, Abell Crozier Davis Architects, Inc
Tim Anderson, Acadian Companies System, Inc
Bobby Butcher, Butcher Air Conditioning
Rob Eddy, Pinnacle Group
Marilyn McDonald, Caffery Real Estate
Coatney Raymond, Buck and Johnny’s

For a full list of 1A’s leadership of business, civic, and economic development professionals across the nine-parish region, visit: http://oneacadiana.org/about/leadership

“One Acadiana’s vision has remained steadfast throughout the challenges and opportunities a change in staff leadership presented because of our dedicated board of directors,” said Neuner, 2018 Immediate Past Chair. “We continue to focus on building regional relationships and capacity. With our current leadership in place, we are making great strides to make Acadiana more economically competitive.”

About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. With more than 1,200 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is based in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of roughly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit.