RSS Feed

August 24, 1926 - February 22, 2023

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Mrs. Lydia Wellbrock Stansbury, 96, were held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2 p.m.. Interment followed at Graceland Cemetery.
Visitation was held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 11 a.m. until time of services.
A resident of Perry, Mrs. Lydia passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. She was born and raised in Bremerhaven Germany. During WWII, she met and married her late husband, Adam Stansbury. Three years later, she arrived in the United States. She owned Lydia’s Fashion Shop for over 25 years and enjoyed cosmetics, fashion, jewelry, gardening, cooking, dancing and entertaining.
She is survived by her daughter, Rachel Baudoin and her husband Frank Anusky of Wilmington, DE; her sister, Marga Tscharntke of Bremerhaven Germany; her daughter-in-law, Jan Davis; her grandchildren, Codi Baudoin, Kim Gaspard, Scott Howell, and Frankie Stansbury; her step-grandchild, Nicholas Rodriguez; her nine great grandchildren; her great great-grandchild; and her nieces and nephews in Germany.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Adam Stansbury; her daughter, Heidi Howell and her husband Charlie Howell; her sons, Frank Heinz Stansbury and Larry Rolf Stansbury; and her grandchild, Jodi Larson.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 handled the arrangements.

Miss Hannah Marie Vidallier and Mr. Luke Steven Thompson were united in holy matrimony on Saturday, February 25 during a ceremony at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Father Casey Dugas was the celebrant of the 1 pm ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Vidallier of Abbeville. The groom is the son of Mrs. Pauline Jordan and Mr. Todd Thompson of New Iberia.
Music for the special occasion was provided by Mr. Jude Gaspard and Mr. Mark Dunbar. Readings were done by Miss Leah Meaux, cousin of the bride; and Mrs. Lindsey Valls, cousin of the groom.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory fitted sheath gown made of soft crepe’ material adorned with beautiful lace embellishments. The dress featured a low cut back, thin straps, a v-neck line, and a train that ended in see through lace. The gown was from Bustle Boutique and by designer Martina Liana. The bride chose a simple knee length veil of ivory tulle.
She carried a bouquet of silk white and lilac roses, accented with eucalyptus and lavender.The bouquet was bound with gold and ivory ribbon. As a jester of sentiment the bride carried a handkerchief from her maternal grandmother that was acquired on the day of her birth; and a beautiful silver locket that holds a photo of herself and her late brother -in- law.
Shelby Bergeron, best friend of the bride, served as Maid of Honor. Bridesmaids included Olivia Lege’, Mallory Meaux, both cousins of the bride; Saygan Broussard, Jackie Phounsavath, Lanie Roy, and Olivia Gabor, all friends of the bride. Charleigh Baudin, family friend of the groom, served as flower girl.
The Maid of Honor wore a velvet wrap maxi dress of sage green. The bridesmaids wore a velvet one shoulder maxi dress also in sage green. Each attendant carried a spray of white and lilac roses accented with eucalyptus and lavender.
The mother of the bride wore an a-line vintage look chiffon skirt with fitted bodice. The dress was accented with lace appliqués, beading and sequins in the color of taupe.
The late Andrew Thompson, brother of the groom, was the Best Man. Groomsmen included Kenneth Vidallier, brother of the bride, Nick Davis, friend of the groom, Jacob Thompson, cousin of the
groom, Trevor Haycock, Austin Bradford, both friends of the groom, and Ben Sikes, cousin of the groom. Ushers were Ean Trahan, friend of the bride, and Niall Broussard, friend of the groom. Jon-Wiley Meaux, cousin of the bride, served as ring bearer.
For his wedding the groom wore a tan suit with vest and tan colored tie. The groomsmen also wore tan suits with vest and sage green ties.
The mother of the groom wore a scuba jersey dress with a flounced bodice detail and peplum with matching stole in a light blue.
A reception was held immediately after at The Madison Banquet and Reception Center in Broussard.
Special guests included Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Neveaux, maternal grandparents of the bride; Ms. Annie Vidallier, paternal grandmother of the bride; Ms.Diane Babin, maternal grandmother of the groom; Ms. Joyce Thompson Sikes, paternal grandmother of the groom.
A rehearsal dinner was held on February 23, given by the grooms parents at Magnolia Square in New Iberia.
Upon their return from a honeymoon trip to Hawaii, the couple will reside in Youngsville.

No one person alone can solve the issues with the crimes that continue to burden the city of Abbeville.
However, a room full of people from various aspects of the community committing to work together is a perfect place to start.
On Thursday, a standing-room-only crowd filled the meeting room at Abbeville City Hall for a town hall meeting focused on crime and public safety. Elected officials, religious leaders, members of law enforcement and other citizens provided ideas and passionately voiced concerns about what is a shared problem.
“I believe every one of us here has a vested interest in reducing crime in Abbeville and Vermilion Parish,” Mayor Roslyn White said, “no matter if you live here or not. I also believe we best achieve public safety by all working together and supporting each other. I know we have issues here. It’s not something we like to talk about, but it’s very important that we do. When a crime is committed anywhere in the city, we all feel it. It has a direct effect on all of us.
“It can only be ‘we’ if we are going to end violence in our community.”
Chief of Police Mike Hardy said the Abbeville Police Department is working tirelessly toward that end.
“We are here to talk about the shootings,” Hardy said of the multiple incidents during the past couple of weeks. “Everybody is concerned about the shootings. I have spoken to people who are afraid about what is happening.”
Speaking up is a way to help.
“We want everyone in this room to talk to us,” Hardy said. “We are trying to provide you with a safe town, but it takes all of us. Crime is a police department and public problem. We have a problem that we need to get rid of, and working together is the only thing that will help make that happen.”
While seeking input from community members, Hardy said Abbeville Police is working closely with other law enforcement agencies. That includes Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon’s Office. Capt. Drew David represented the office at Thursday’s meeting.
“When we’re called upon to assist,” David said, “the sheriff’s office is going to do everything possible to do that. When we were called upon in the past couple of weeks, we put together a proactive criminal patrol unit. They’ve been out in Abbeville with the Abbeville Police Department. Abbeville has asked for our assistance, and we’ve been out there doing criminal patrol.
“Whatever the Abbeville Police Department needs, if we can provide, we will do it. That’s the message from the sheriff.”
There is an avenue for concerned citizens to message law enforcement anonymously. Eddie Langlinais said Crime Stoppers of Vermilion is that avenue by calling 740-TIPS.
“I can tell you the information provided,” Langlinais said, “we don’t know who is sending it.
“You can report all of your tips anonymously.”
Denise Boudreaux is still waiting for information that leads to an arrest in connection to May 2020 shooting death of her son, James Jerome Darby.
“My baby was 29 years old,” Boudreaux said during Thursday’s meeting. “He was shot in killed in a driveway for no reason.”
Boudreaux said more would be in similar, tragic situations until this is viewed as a collective problem.
“We need to unite,” Boudreaux said. “If you see something, say something. Everyone in the neighborhood was concerned about your child when I was coming up. We all are human beings who have a heart. We love our children. Mothers have cried too many tears for the life of their children. Know who your child is with. Talk to your child.
“But we all need to unite because nobody wants to bury their children.”
Boudreaux said that is a pain she wants for no one.
“I am going to grieve until the day I die,” Boudreaux said. “I haven’t gone through the steps. I’m stuck on being angry. Of course, I’m mad, but that’s what’s forcing me to want to do something.”
That “something” can be any number of things. Bishop B.K. Stevens said it could be as simple as reaching out to youth and helping to provide something for them to do.
“They are looking for someone to reach out and show them a better way,” Stevens said.
District Judge Laurie Hulin and Abbeville City Court Judge Richard Putnam discussed issues from their viewpoint. Stevens did ask if there are pre-trial diversion options. Teen Court, which is currently building a foundation in Vermilion Parish, can offer such an option, said Teen Court Program Director Talitha Boudreaux on Thursday.
“Teen Court is for kids who get in trouble,” Talitha Boudreaux said. “We are losing our children. Parents, if y’all are having problems with your kids, call me. My number is 337-398-6998. We’re at the Nehemiah Projects (100 S State St. in Abbeville). We have all kinds of different programs.
“We have what y’all need.”
Funding will be needed for some ideas to work. Councilman Francis Touchet Jr., who chairs the city’s finance committee, said that should be strongly considered where applicable.
“As the finance chairman,” Touchet said, “I heard (tonight) that we need to put our money where our mouth is. So things that we hear from the community, we are going to bring it to the table to see what this council can do.”
Touchet also requested a thorough review of everything related to juvenile curfew ordinances.
Others ideas came forth on Thursday, such as mentoring programs, satellite offices for police in crime hot spots, the formation of neighborhood watch groups, and cleaning up of blighted properties. Many in attendance championed prayer and church attendance. Councilwoman Terry Broussard, admittedly beleaguered by continued crime, said Thursday was a positive pivot.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” Broussard said. “It shows that care about your community and that care about your community and that you love your city. I know people are tired and scared. I’m afraid because I don’t want to wake up one morning and get a text or phone call that someone has been murdered.
“Stay in touch, and I will stay in touch with you.”
White said there would be other opportunities, like Thursday.
“We will plan another meeting like this in the next few weeks,” White said.

A year has come and gone since the campaign “Light the Highway for Ramsie” was introduced to the world by Sherie Dubois.
A year ago this month, Dubois spoke to the Vermilion Parish Police Jury and state highway officials about what it would take to put lights along U.S. Hwy. 167 between Maurice and Abbeville.
She stated the route was too dark and needed to be lit.
She began the campaign “Light the Highway for Ramsie” because of the death of North Vermilion senior Ramsie Baumgardner.
Baumgardner was traveling on Hwy. 167 and was hit head-on by a drunk driver traveling in the wrong lane. Baumgardner’s vehicle collided head-on with the car traveling in the wrong lane. Both drivers were killed.
“It is without question that Hwy. 167 is way too dark at night,” wrote Dubois. “The recent tragic loss of our Ramsie has sparked something in me. I thought to myself over and over, ‘She had to see him coming.’”
Since that meeting a year ago, the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) submitted a cost to the police jury for lights and three J-Turns between Maurice and Abbeville.
DOTD submitted a letter to the police jury informing them of the cost of lighting on Hwy. 167 would cost $1.4 million for every mile of lights. So the total cost for lights between Maurice and Abbeville would be around $9 million, according to DOTD.
Building J-Turns at the intersections of La. 696, La. 697, and La. 699 would cost around $4.6 million.
So, three J-Turns and lights would cost the state around $17 million.
Well, instead of waiting around to see if the state would spend $15 million on making Hwy. 167 safer, Police Juror Dane Hebert took it upon himself to go higher than the state level.
When he went to Washington D.C. with a group of officials from Vermilion and Cameron parishes last month, he visited with Congressman Clay Higgins and educated him on the dangers of driving on Hwy. 167.
Higgins instructed Hebert and others to write letters to their political representatives in Washington, D.C., asking for funds to light up Hwy. 167.
On Wednesday night at the police jury meeting, the jurors approved a letter to be sent to Higgins.
The letter educates Higgins on the accidents that have occurred on Hwy. 167, especially the two head-on accidents that have killed four people, including three North Vermilion students.
The letter states the total costs of the lights and three J-Turns at about $17 million. So the police jury is asking for $17 million from Washington to pay for everything.
“Any help you can provide to improve the safety of the road for our residents is appreciated,” writes Jason Picard, the police jury president.
Also, State Rep. Ryan Bourrique sent Sen. Bill Cassidy, Sen. John Kennedy and Higgins his letter.
“It never hurts to ask,” Hebert said at the end of the police jury meeting.