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Photo by Missy Rosa
Former Erath High Principal Marc Turner surprised “Coach P” by dedicating the EHS basketball court in his name at the Homecoming Pep Rally in 2018.
Erath High’s Tommie Pillette will retire in May 2024 after serving 46 years as an educator.
Photo by Missy Rosa
In 2018, Tommie Pillette served as the Erath High Homecoming Grand Marshal.
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January 27, 1935 ~ May 12, 2024
ABBEVILLE — Wanda Sherman Simon, 89 years old, passed peacefully to her Heavenly home surrounded by her beloved husband, and her sons and their wives on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring her life. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Louis Richard officiating the services. Those serving as pallbearers will be Donny L. Simon, Dean P. Simon, Aaron Watson, Derek Broussard, Justin Simon, and David Faber.
Wanda was born in Perry on January 27, 1935. She moved frequently with her parents, as her father was a trapper and farmer. She attended several schools, and graduated from Abbeville High in 1953.
As a devout Catholic, Wanda’s faith easily spread to her children and anyone she encountered. This faith was demonstrated through the unselfish caring of so many. Whether they were aging parents, aunts, uncles, or grandchildren home sick from school, she was always there for those in need. She sang in the choir at St. Mary Magdalen and taught CCD there for a short while.
Wanda enjoyed the membership, activities, and travels she experienced with the ladies group of Gingham Maids in Abbeville. Being an active member, she served the organization as vice president as well as president. She loved to spend time with her flower gardens. Her favorite flowers were daylilies.
She and her husband of 70 years loved to go on vacations with family or very close friends. Trips would be as close as Six Flags in Houston, or as distant as California, Nashville, or Disney World. Their favorite destination was their 16 annual trips to Branson with lifelong friends, where they enjoyed the shows and entertainment.
Wanda, or Maw as she was called by her closest family, was a devoted wife and loving mother. She leaves behind the loves of life, her husband, Donald Joseph Simon; three sons, Lynn F. Simon and his wife, Belinda, Donny L. Simon and his wife, Janet, and Dean P. Simon and his wife, Min; grandchildren, Lindsay Watson (Aaron), Ashley Broussard (Derek), Justin Simon (Leah), Hillary Faber (David), Tiffany Rudolph (Garrett), and Jacob Eichfeld; thirteen great grandchildren and one on the way; and a brother, Roy Sherman.
She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Francis Joseph Sherman and the former Hazel Irene Simon; granddaughter, Shannon Simon Duhon; sister, Dorothy Sherman LeBlanc; and sister-in-law, Lula Campbell Sherman.
The family wishes to thank Heart of Hospice for their care, understanding, and services at the most difficult times. With their help, Wanda was able to stay comfortably in her home. Special thanks go to the angel sent from God to Wanda and her family, Brandy. Brandy gave the most loving emotional and physical support to not only Maw, but to the entire family. Brandy is now considered a family member to be cherished.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 9:00 AM until 1:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church. A rosary being prayed at 1 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.
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March 3, 1942 ~ May 12, 2024
ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Ethel B. Mouton, 82, who died Sunday, May 12, 2024 at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Louis Richard officiating the services.
A native of New Iberia and longtime resident of Abbeville, Ethel passed away surrounded by her loving family. She retired from 30 years of work at the Bank of Abbeville. It was her mission to be present for everyone she loved. Family and friends who became family, were the center of her life. She could often be found relaxing on her swing, visiting with others, or cooking a delicious meal. Ethel’s kind heart and warm presence will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Stuart C. Mouton (wife-Troy); daughter, Suzanne M. Suire; brother, Wayne Barras; and sister Lois Thompson (husband-Ray); 5 grandchildren, Lauren M. Edwards (husband-Alexander), Austin B. Mouton, (fiancé Katelyn Traub); Ross O. Durke (wife-Madison), Alyssa D. Bodin (husband-Warren), and Noah L. Suire; 7 great grandchildren, Bennett, Paxton, Porter, Wesley, Blakely, Sophia, and Nellie; sisters-in-law, Patty and Nancy Barras.
She was preceded in death by her parents Wesley Joseph Barras and Ruby Leblanc Barras; her husband, William Harold Mouton; brothers, Warren and Carroll Barras; sisters-in-law Penny Barras and Rose Barras; son-in-law, Eric P. Suire and niece Anne Marie Barras Koepfinger.
The family would like to thank the staff of Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center for their care and compassion through this process.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 9:30 AM until time to leave for church, with a rosary being prayed at 1:30 PM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
ERATH - A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. JoLynn Toups LeBlanc, 76, will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Clinton Sensat officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Earth on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 11 a.m.
Mrs. Jo Lynn died peacefully at 11:35 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024 at her residence surrounded by her family. A loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Jo Lynn was born at The Palms Hospital in Abbeville, Louisiana, August 29, 1947 to Lorres Joseph Toups and Hilda Hebert Toups both of whom precede her in death.
She married her high school sweetheart, Stephen, October 1, 1966. They made their home in Erath after his service in the US Air Force was complete and raised 3 children. She is a lifetime native of Erath. Jo Lynn had a love of travel. She traveled extensively for work and pleasure over the years.
She retired from Avon as a District Manager after 15+ years of service. She was the recipient of Avon’s President’s Club Award many years in a row during her tenure. Jo Lynn also enjoyed a good football game. Many Sundays you could find her glued to the TV yelling at the refs and players. She was also an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Jo Lynn treasured her large, blended family with many “bonus” members. She embraced and cherished every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Nana.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, George Stephen LeBlanc, brothers, Lorres Toups (Barbara Dugas Toups) and Lacey Toups (Myra Herbert Toups). Her children, Shannon LeBlanc Durham (Darren Durham), Melissa LeBlanc Vincent (Chad Vincent) and Troy S LeBlanc (Kylie LeBlanc). Her grandchildren, Dillon Durham, Mallory Durham, Morgan Gallagher (Alex Gallagher), Ashton J Smith, CJ Smith, Rylee L Vincent, Breyton T LeBlanc, Madison Abshire, Camryn Abshire (Jada Abshire) and Aidyn Grace LeBlanc. Her great grandchildren, Kenzleigh Abshire and Harper James Gallagher along with many nieces, nephews, and godchildren who she loved dearly.
Pallbearers: Dillon Durham, Breyton LeBlanc, Benjamin Toups, John F. LeBlanc, Jonathon Toups, Kevin Toups.
Honorary Pallbearers: Eric Toups, Bryan Toups, Brent Toups, Brett Toups, CJ Smith, Madison Abshire, Mallory Durham, Ashton Smith, Camryn Abshire, Rylee Vincent, Aidyn Grace LeBlanc, Gregory LeBlanc.
The family would like to send a special Thank You to Traditions Health Hospice for their compassionate care of our Mother.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the American Cancer Society or any cancer association you prefer.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.
Roderick Moy spent four years at Abbeville High and his teams made the playoffs all four years.
Coach Roderick Moy, wearing at North Vermilion cap, was cheering on the Patriots at Saturday's baseball finals in Sulphur.
Roderick Moy, who spent four years in building Abbeville High School’s football team into a powerhouse, is now set to take on a new challenge.
He aims to replicate his success at North Vermilion High School, where he was recently named the new head football coach. After interviewing last Friday, he was offered and accepted the position.
The search began for a new NVHS head football coach when Joe Heintz stepped down in April. Heintz is returning to Teurlings High School after only one year at North Vermilion.
Moy had his eyes set on transferring from Abbeville High to either Sterlington High or North Vermilion High School. He graduated Sterlington High School and a few years later, started his teaching career at North Vermilion.
With three children living in Vermilion Parish, he knew it would be tough to leave his kids to coach at Sterlington High School one day.
“I always said those two high schools were the only schools I would leave Abbeville High,” said Moy on Monday. “The last seven years have prepared me to take this job. That is the job I have always wanted. It is considered home.”
Coach Moy said he wants to coach at a high school where he expects his daughters to attend simultaneously.
“I never want to be coaching at a high school and my daughters will be cheering on a Friday night at another high school. I want to be near them. I have to put them first.”
Moy has coached at North Vermilion for seven years. He was the girls’ basketball coach from 2005 through 2009. He left the parish and then returned and became the offensive coordinator under then-head football coach Richard Prejean. He was there from 2014 to 2017.
He left North Vermilion in 2017 to become the head football coach at Gueydan High School, where he turned the program around in three years. From Gueydan, he went to Abbeville High and has been there for four years.
In four years, he won a district title this past football season, been to the playoffs and won at least a first-round playoff game all four years. His teams have also won three Russo Trophies against Kaplan High.
At AHS, he has compiled an overall record of 29-12.
Moy did not keep the idea of him applying a secret to the AHS players. He told them the day he applied for the job.
Moy joins former AHS volleyball and head basketball coach Ashly Boudreaux at North Vermilion. NVHS hired Boudreaux as the new volleyball coach.
The AHS head football coaching job became open on Monday.
Also, former Kaplan head football coach Cory Brodie, who has been at Abbeville High for the last few months, is leaving Vermilion Parish when school ends.
Brodie will be moving to Mandeville to accept an assistant football job at Lakeshore High School, where Brent Indest is the head football coach.
NOTE: Moy becomes only the second person to become the head football coach at three different parish schools.
He has been the head football coach at Gueydan High, Abbeville High and now North Vermilion High School.
He joins Kevin Kern who was the interim head coach at VC in 2004 for four games, then he became Abbeville High’s head coach before Moy, and he is now the head football coach at Gueydan High.
Everyone in the church got low while law enforcement searched the church for a possible second person.
Sheriff deputy Dale Hargrave stood guard outside the church.
Abbeville Police Mike Hardy stated that the 16-year-old who was apprehended for bringing a gun into St. Mary Magdalen Church during a Holy Communion Mass did not have any intentions of harming anyone.
Hardy was quoted in the Advocate newspaper saying the teen told police that his girlfriend was inside the church. He planned to intimidate parishioners before he ran away with his girlfriend to Texas, reported the Advocate.
The teen was not allowed to carry out his plan, thanks to a handful of parishioners who were outside of the church and saw the teen enter the church.
The incident occurred Saturday morning during Mass. A parishioner, who was outside on the church grounds, allegedly saw the teen place a rifle against the outside wall of the church and then open the door of the church and possibly enter.
Another person outside of the church also saw the rifle and went to grab it and left with it before the teen could return for it. The teen came back outside, his gun was gone, and another parishioner grabbed him.
The police were called and, within minutes, were at the church, along with the Vermilion Parish SWAT Team.
The Abbeville Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office swept the inside and outside of the church and determined there was no additional threat to the church.
The city police escorted the 16-year-old to the Abbeville Police Department and questioned with a parent present. He was booked with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile and also was transported to the Abbeville Hospital Behavioral Health Unit for a medical evaluation.
The Diocese of Lafayette released a statement over the weekend.
“We are thankful to God that a tragedy was avoided at the First Communion mass for the children of St. Mary Magdalen in Abbeville. The quick response of the Abbeville Police Department and alert to the parishioners is a great example of the most vulnerable in our community. Let us pray for an end to all threats of violence to innocent human life.”
Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy thanked FBI Special Agent Daren Kelly, Special Agent Paul Sellers and Supervisory Senior Regional Resident Agent Doug Herman for their help in the investigation and deputies with the Vermilion Sheriff’s Office who helped clear the church.
Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White released a statement about Saturday.
Today (Saturday), we were reminded of how special and resilient our community is,” Mayor White said. “Our prayers remain with St Mary Magdalen Church, the clergy, administrative staff and all the families attending the Mass. We are incredibly thankful to the brave, diligent individuals who kept our community safe under threat and the officers who remained focused under unimaginably stressful circumstances. We ask for prayers as our community recovers from this event, and most importantly, we thank God.”
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church released information regarding an incident that occurred Saturday morning. More information will be provided when it becomes available.
Below is a the message released by the church:
Dear Parishioners,
This morning, our First Communion ceremony was interrupted when a suspicious person opened the back door. The individual was immediately confronted by parishioners, escorted outside and the police were called. The individual was quickly apprehended by Abbeville Police Department and is in their custody. Once apprehended, law enforcement entered the church to make sure there was no additional danger. This understandably caused panic. While we realize this was a frightening experience for those in attendance, we are incredibly grateful to both parishioners and police officers for acting quickly to ensure the safety of all. Chief Mike Hardy is handling the investigation with cooperation of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s office and assistance from the FBI. Out of an abundance of caution, we will have uniformed law enforcement at all upcoming Masses. We invite First Communicants to receive First Holy Communion at whichever Mass they choose to attend this weekend. We are grateful for all the prayers for our St. Mary Magdalen community.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548
311 Main Street
Gueydan, LA 70542