JoAnn Shelvin Bessard

ABBEVILLE, La. — Funeral services for JoAnn Shelvin Bessard are scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2024 for 11:00 A.M. at Pleasant Green Baptist Church - 822 I. Joiner Road. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until time of service. Interment will follow at Pleasant Green Cemetery.
On Wednesday, January 10, at the University Medical Center in New Orleans, LA Jo-Ann Shelvin Bessard answered the call from her Lord and Savior and entered Eternal rest. Jo-Ann was a lifelong resident of Abbeville. She was born on July 9, 1947 to the union of Wallace Shelvin Sr. and Doris Bernard Shelvin.
Sis. Jo-Ann was formally educated in Vermilion Parish and was a Herod High graduate in the class of 1965. After graduation, she furthered her education at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette. She was employed by the Vermilion Parish School System for 30 plus years. She worked as a paraprofessional at Eaton Park Elementary School and at J.H. Williams Middle School for many years. Sis. Jo-Ann accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Pleasant Green Baptist Church by Dr. I.J. Joiner. Throughout the years at the church, she served in numerous capacities. She served in the Youth Choir, Adult Choir, Sunday School secretary, Sunday School teacher, Assistant Secretary of the Church, President of the Deaconess Board, and was a member of the General Mission.
Sis. Jo-Ann leaves to cherish many memories to her husband of 32 years, Elliott Bessard; two daughters, Vera Shelvin of Abbeville and Tammy Williams (Octavious) of Snellville, Georgia; step children, Derrick Bessard and YoLanda Locks; 4 special daughters: Doris Newton, Linda Vallot, Denise King and Catherine Wimbly; one brother, Larry Shelvin of Dallas, TX.; one sister, Audrey Robinson of Abbeville, LA.; one godchild, Rocelyn Frederick of Cypress, TX.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Shelvin, Sr.; 2 sisters, Bertha Ann Levine and Dorothy Huntsberry; one brother, Wallace Shelvin Jr.; grandmother and a cousin who were instrumental in rearing her, Mrs. Lucille Joiner and Mrs. Dorothy Thomas; her niece, Tawanna Shelvin; and a nephew, Chazton Guidry.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kinchen Funeral Home, Inc -- 218 North St. Valerie, Abbeville, LA. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed through its website:www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.