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Rita Lavergne Hebert

Fri, 08/26/2022 - 9:27am

ABBEVILLE – Funeral services for Rita Lavergne Hebert, 77, are scheduled for Saturday, August, 27, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary Congregational Church – 213 S. Louisiana Street. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until time of service. Pastor Kevin Williams will officiate the services. Interment will be at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville.
Rita Lavergne Hebert was born on July 20, 1945 to the union of Willis Lavergne and Francis Guillory Lavergne in Mallet, Louisiana. She transitioned from this earthly life to eternal rest in glory on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Abbeville General Hospital. An angel stood by her bedside and whispered, “It’s time now, you have fought a good fight and have finished your course, and you have kept the faith, come unto JESUS and rest, your reward awaits.”
Rita was married to the late George Hebert, Sr. She was a resident of Abbeville for over forty-five years. She worked as a cook and bartender for Rose’s Lounge for a number of years. Mrs. Hebert was a faithful dedicated member of St. Mary Congregational Church.
Momma Rita, as she was so affectionately called, touched the lives of many people. Once you met, you would never forget her. She always had a joke to make you laugh and life lessons to share. She was quick to speak her mind and didn’t mind expressing herself. Momma Rita will be sadly missed by many. We will always remember the good times and keep her memories in a special place in our hearts.
Her favorite quote: “Give me my flowers while I’m alive so I can smell them.” She also said, “Never say Goodbye,” when ending a conversation and always gave three kisses when we departed. Mrs. Hebert was a phenomenal woman!
She was preceded in death by: her husband, George Hebert Sr.; her parents Willis Lavergne and Francis Guillory Lavergne; four brothers: William Lavergne, Joseph Lavergne, Louis Lavergne, and Jessie Lavergne; one sister: Theresa Lavergne Landry.
Left to cherish her memories are two sisters: Annie Gobert of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Edna Lavergne of Fresno, California; two daughters: Cynthia Lavergne Henderson (Wardell) of Lancaster, Virginia, and Janice Hebert Darby (Ronald) of Abbeville Louisiana and one son: George Hebert Jr. (Tonya) of Cade, Louisiana; two granddaughters: Jasaundra Lewis Taylor (Alvin) of Youngsville, Louisiana and Porisha Henderson of Lancaster, Virginia; two great-grandchildren: Alirah and Jaiden Taylor both of Youngsville, Louisiana, along with a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kinchen Funeral Home, Inc. – 218 N. St. Valerie Street, Abbeville, LA – (337) 898-9595. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed through its website: www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.

Beverly Brasseaux Overstreet

Thu, 08/25/2022 - 10:04am

A Funeral Service, will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022, at 11 a.m., at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, for Beverly Brasseaux Overstreet, 86, who passed away Monday, August 22, 2022, at her residence in Abbeville, Louisiana.
Visitation will be observed on Thursday, August 25, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and resumes on Friday, August 26, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service, at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette.
Interment will follow in Fountain Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette.
Pastor Todd Menard, of Family Life Church in Lafayette, will officiate.
Beverly was born November 14, 1935, in Henry, Louisiana and was a long-time resident of Acadiana. She worked twenty-eight years as a Cafeteria Worker at Acadiana High School, in the food service department for Lafayette Parish School Board. Beverly loved preparing food for the high-school kids. She had a strong work ethic, setting a great example for her family. She made lifelong friends with her co-workers.
Beverly had an unfailing faithful spirit, a heart of gold and treasured spending time with her family and friends. She loved to laugh. Beverly was an amazing cook, who for decades cooked on weekends for her large family gatherings. These meals will always be fondly remembered with her serving roast with rice and gravy, fried chicken, homemade bread and pralines.
Beverly was a member of Family Life Church in Lafayette, where she served for many years as a greeter, in the resource center, participated in the ladies’ intercessory prayer group and helped with the summer bible school. Reading her bible and attending prayer meetings was a very important part of her spiritual life. Being a daily prayer-warrior, her family and others knew they were always covered with her prayers as she made a list of all their prayer needs. Beverly led her family by her great matriarch example, she was the most forgiving and loving person they ever knew.
Beverly is survived by her two sons, Davis Menard (Pam), of Lafayette, and Michael Domingue (Tessy), of Lafayette; one daughter, Charlene “Charlie” Domingue, of Abbeville; four step-children, David Overstreet (Karen), of Dallas, TX, Sandi Slice, of Pelion, SC, Randy Overstreet, of Jackson, MS, and Traci Sautter, of Shreveport, LA; ten grandchildren, Tammy Molbert Hyde (Steven), Clint Menard (Chrissy), Shawn Allen (Jessie), Chris Menard (Traci), Felicia Menard Beard (Matt), Amber Domingue, Aaron Domingue (Dallas), Robley Domingue, Rachel Domingue, Nicole Menard Foucheaux (Donald); twenty-five great grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild on the way; two god-children, Lana Landry Richard and Kirby Trahan and numerous dear nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband of six years, Rellie Joseph Menard; her second husband of 12 years, Robley John Domingue; her third husband, of 33 years, Charles Leslie Overstreet; her parents, Henry and Ezith Edith Landry Brasseaux; her twin-daughters, Sharon Menard and Cheryl Menard and her brother, Steve Brasseaux.
Pallbearers will be Steven Hyde, Clint Menard, Shawn Allen, Chris Menard, Aaron Domingue and Donald Foucheaux.
Honorary Bearers are Brady Hyde, Gabe Menard, Bubby Hummel, Luke Binning, Alexander Allen, Levi Allen, Lucien Allen, Bryson Menard, Matt Beard, Jhaice Beard, Robley Domingue, Michael Domingue, Zane Etienne, and Dawson Foucheaux.
The family wishes to thank St. Joseph’s Hospice of Lafayette for the compassionate care given to Beverly and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Beverly's name to LARC Civitan Home at 303 New Hope Road, Lafayette, LA 70506, telephone 337-984-6110, www.lafayettelarc.org.
Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.
Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.

Jim Bradshaw

Billy wouldn’t leave his gold

Wed, 08/24/2022 - 11:38am

Jim Bradshaw, LSN columnist

Jean Lafitte left New Orleans and the ruins of his Baratarian kingdom in 1818 to make a new start on Galveston Island, but not all of his band went with him.
One of those who stayed behind was known as Billy Bowlegs, and he became almost as notorious as a Gulf of Mexico raider as Lafitte himself. He was said to be worth millions of dollars when he died at the ripe old age of 93.
His real name was William Rogers. At least that was the name he was using when he showed up in New Orleans in 1810. He already had plenty of money then — enough to buy a plantation on the Mississippi River. Nobody knows where he came from or how he came by his early riches, and he tended to discourage people from asking.
He apparently wasn’t a planter. That life didn’t agree with him and he moved back to New Orleans just about the time Jean and Pierre Lafitte were building their base on Barataria Bay, as well as building a monopoly on the Louisiana smuggling trade. Billy Bowlegs became a part of the Lafitte band, and was presumably one of the men who fought in the Battle of New Orleans and received a pardon for past transgressions.
If he ever gave thought to actually reforming his life, it didn’t stick with him. Not long after Jean and Pierre were forced to leave Louisiana, Billy bought three little ships in New Orleans, recruited crews for them from Lafitte’s old hands, and set up a base on Santa Rosa Island, near Pensacola.
Like most of the Gulf pirates before him, he particularly preyed on Spanish ships carrying fortunes from Mexico, and he didn’t have to capture many of them to build a considerable horde of gold and silver. He was said to be incredibly wealthy when he disbanded his crew in 1838, came ashore, and began to lead a quiet, opulent life.
But he got restless again. He rounded up another crew in 1840, and, according to one biographer, “in a few short weeks the hold of his ship was bulging with chests of jewels and gold and silver coins and bars.”
But then he found trouble.
A heavy gale was battering his little schooner when he was spotted and chased by a British warship. He couldn’t outrun it. His only chance was to dash for shore and find some place where his ship could go, but the heavy warship couldn’t.
That almost worked. He found a shallow lagoon and even his small craft bumped the bottom as he sailed into it. He thought he was safe; there was no way the warship could follow.
But the British didn’t quit. Small boats were lowered from the big ship and armed marines rowed steadily toward Bowlegs and his booty.
Billy was out-manned and didn’t have many options. He decided to load his own longboat with as much loot as it would hold, scuttle his ship, and row for a wooded area on the shore.
The British did finally go away, but Billy and his crew no longer had a ship, and most of his treasure was at the bottom of the lagoon.
According to the old stories, he made several attempts to salvage the gold and silver, but didn’t have the manpower or equipment to do it. He finally quit trying to get it, but was determined that nobody else would get it either.
He still had his longboat and hands to row it, and he still had a fortune that would have allowed him to live out his life in fine style. But instead of rowing to civilization, according to the legend, he built a log cabin near the shore, buried the loot he’d been able to bring inland, and kept watch over his sunken ship and its treasure for the rest of his life.
He showed a friend where the loot was buried when he was in his 80s. The friend was supposed to get it when Billy died. But Billy lived another dozen years, and all of the landmarks had changed by the time the friend went back to dig it up.
Nobody took it while Billy was watching or, as far as we know, anytime since. His buried treasure is still hidden somewhere on the Gulf coast, and his schooner, said to be filled with millions in gold and silver, still lies at the bottom of a lagoon not far from where it is buried.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

Bryan Golden

Knowledge

Wed, 08/24/2022 - 11:27am

Bryan Golden

Knowledge isn’t power until it’s applied. Knowing something doesn’t accomplish anything unless you use it to improve your life or the life of someone else. Knowledge has no value unless and until it is utilized appropriately.
The application of relevant knowledge is the key to personal growth, self-improvement, and accomplishment. For knowledge to have any potential it must be accurate and pertinent. Implementation of erroneous information will lead one down the wrong path and can have negative consequences.
Obtaining quality knowledge is paramount. The source of the knowledge needs to be reputable, reliable, and dependable. There is an abundance of information which is available from virtually any source. You need to be discriminating when seeking out knowledge.
Virtually everyone has an opinion or advice on practically every topic. You have to sift through and discard the multitude of extraneous information. The best experts are those who have already accomplished what you are striving for.
Someone who is always having trouble making ends meet isn’t a good source for financial advice. A friend who is constantly changing jobs doesn’t have any insight into building a career. A relative who retired from a corporate career isn’t a good pick for a mentor on starting your own business. A neighbor who is overweight is not an authority on exercise and diet.
As obvious as the above examples are, it’s astounding how often knowledge is solicited or accepted from the worst sources. The application of bad information will invariably lead to disastrous results and is worse than doing nothing.
Finding a reliable reference for knowledge is just the first step. The next step is applying it to your situation. If you have knowledge but don’t use it, you may as well not have it at all. Utilizing knowledge entails taking action based on what you have learned.
Suppose you are looking for a new job and want to fine tune your resume as well as refine your interviewing skills. An ideal resource would be a human resources executive who reviews resumes and interviews job seekers. This person could give you invaluable insight into creating an effective resume as well as interview tips.
What you do with this new knowledge is up to you. If you subsequently rewrite your resume and improve your interview presentation then you have turned your new knowledge into power. However, should you decide not to make any changes, your new knowledge will have served no purpose.
Perhaps you want some guidance for investing some of your savings. You read a book by a person who became financially independent through investing. His strategies make sense and you discuss them with your neighbor who is working two jobs to make ends meet.
Rather than showing an interest in what you have discovered, your neighbor gives you a hot stock tip he got from his barber that’s “guaranteed” to be a sure thing. What should you do?
Although the hot tip may pay off, the advice from the author is proven by his own success and is much more reliable. In this example, doing nothing is preferable to acting on unreliable information.
Wanting to improve your health, you consult with a nutritionist. She designs a customized diet plan specifically for your needs. You go home, put the plan in a drawer and forget about it. Your trip to the nutritionist was a waste and you will obtain no benefits from your visit.
As the above examples illustrate, knowledge is only power when it is applied. Only your action will unlock knowledge’s power. One step at a time, incorporate knowledge into your life.

Tommy Byler

Byler receives higher evaluation score from Vermilion Parish School Board

Wed, 08/24/2022 - 11:17am

The Vermilion Parish School Board gave a higher evaluation score to Superintendent Tommy Byler in his second year at his job.
The school board members and Byler went behind closed doors to talk about the evaluation given by board members. Then, after a brief discussion, they all came out and read the score.
He received a score of 3.82 out of 4.
His first-year evaluation score was 3.72.
Byler, who has been the superintendent for over two years, said the 3.82 score is not all of his doing.
“Thank you for the evaluation. It is a team effort. That score does not come without having the right people in place,” said Byler.

The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office is urging people to properly secure their vehicles and not leave valuables inside.

Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office warns of increase in car burglaries

Wed, 08/24/2022 - 11:12am

According to Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Eddie Langlinais, due to a recent uptick of vehicle burglaries in Vermilion Parish, Sheriff Mike Couvillon is urging residents of Vermilion Parish to please be vigilant in securing their vehicles.
Whenever possible, it’s important to store vehicles in a secure area, such as an enclosed garage. If an enclosed garage is not an option, park your vehicle in a well-lit area. Always remember to keep your vehicles locked. Security cameras and car alarms are also valuable deterrents and tools if available.
Sheriff Couvillon says whether your vehicle is locked or not, you should never keep valuables or firearms stored inside of vehicles.
Detectives have been working diligently with Local and State Law Enforcement Agencies, in an effort to identify, arrest, and prosecute those individuals involved in these types of burglaries. Detectives are encouraging anyone with any information of recent vehicle burglaries to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at (337) 898-4403.

Wiltz J. Toups

Wed, 08/24/2022 - 9:10am

ERATH – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Wiltz J. Toups, Jr., 80, will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Clinton Sensat officiating. Interment will follow at LeBlanc Cemetery.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 beginning at 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 8 a.m. until the time of the service.
A native of Kaplan and a resident of Erath, Mr. Toups died at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2022 at Eunice Manor Nursing Facility. He was a 1960 graduate of Kaplan High; a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church; proudly served as a Medic Platoon Sergeant in the Louisiana National Guard; a member of American Legion Post 279; a member of the Knights of Columbus; a member of the Fourth of July Association; and a charter member of the Erath High School Century Club and Backers Club. In 2013, he was also an honorary member of the Erath High School Hall of Fame. He retired from Texaco with 32 years as a Chemist and Lab Supervisor. Mr. Wiltz enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and spending time with his family. Over the years, he also loved coaching his sons in baseball and attending events for his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy LeBlanc Toups of Erath; four sons, Charles Toups and his wife Nickie of the LeBlanc Community, John Toups and his wife Nicole of the LeBlanc Community, Eric Toups and his wife MiKel of Erath, and Ted Toups and his wife Megan of the LeBlanc Community; a brother, Earl Toups and his wife Corrie of Kaplan; a sister in law, Carolyn Montgomery and her husband Michael of Central, LA; twelve grandchildren, Markie Andrus and her husband Jacob; Charles Rene Toups and his wife Mary Hannah, Lane Toups, Alec Toups and his wife Victoria, Jack Toups, Julia Grace Toups, Chandler Toups, Ann Renee’ Toups, Connor Toups, Graham Toups, Rosalee Toups, and Sawyer Toups; and one great-grandchild, Thomas David Toups.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wiltz J. Toups, Sr. and Rena Dupuy Toups, as well as, his in-laws, Newby and Dora L. LeBlanc
Serving as pallbearers will be Alec Toups, Charles Rene Toups, Jack Toups, Lane Toups, Chandler Toups, and Connor Toups.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Graham Toups and Sawyer Toups
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St (337) 937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

Verna Bonvillian Whitworth

Wed, 08/24/2022 - 9:09am

August 30, 1931 ~ August 23, 2022

Abbeville — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Verna Marie Bonvillian Whitworth, 90, who died Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at Eastridge Nursing Center. She will be laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery with Deacon William "Billy" Vincent officiating the services.
Verna was an avid and die-hard New Orleans Saints fan.
She is survived by her two sons, Charles Menard and his wife, Linda, and Ronnie B. Whitworth and his wife, Sonia; three grandchildren, Blair Menard, Miranda W. Hebert and Skyla W. Pilcher; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex Earl Whitworth; Mother, Anita (Momee) Mowery, Marie (Mama) Ponville, Robert (Daddy) Ponville, brother, Earl J. Bourque.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 8:00 AM until time of services. A rosary being prayed at 12:30 PM.
The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to Heart of Hospice and Eastridge Nursing Center for all their loving care.
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.

Elton John Adams

Tue, 08/23/2022 - 9:29am

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Mr. Elton John Adams, 78, will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 1 p.m. with Father Francois Sainte-Marie officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
A native and resident of Abbeville, LA. Elton J. Adams, transitioned from this earthly life, Thursday night, August 18, 2022.
He was employed as a Longshoreman in the oilfield industry for 30 plus years and was enjoying the comfort of retirement. He enjoyed relaxing with his wife Bobbie, visiting with family and friends, drinking coke, smoking cigarettes and listening to music in his man cave.
Elton is survived by his wife Barbara B. Adams, within this union were three children, Mark Adams of Abbeville, LA, Lisa A. Nevels and husband Marvin of Allen, TX, and Kenneth Adams and wife Kristin D. Adams of Youngsville, LA.; Nine Grand Children: Brandon, Kristin and Danielle Adams, Blake and Adrian Nevels, Triniti, Sahryah and Savior Adams; two Great-Grandsons Sebastian and Reign Adams; and three sisters Doretha Bob, Rosemary Bernard and Ada Williams.
Elton was preceded in death by his parents Odeus and Rita A. Adams, one sister Ella M. Perro and one brother Loveless Adams.
Serving as Pallbearers will be: Mark Adams, Kenneth Adams, Marvin Nevels, Louis Simon and Michael Parker.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to Hospice of Acadiana.
David Funeral Home of Abbeville, 2600 Charity Street, (337) 893-3777 is in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie Joseph “Foot” Thibodeaux

Tue, 08/23/2022 - 9:25am

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Ronnie Joseph “Foot” Thibodeaux, 54, will held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 10 a.m. with Father Clinton Sensat officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, from 8 a.m. until the time of services with a recitation of the rosary at 9:30 a.m.
A native of Lafayette Parish and a resident of Erath, Mr. Thibodeaux passed away on Sunday, August 21,2022 at Mason de Lafayette. Mr. Ronnie was very fond of Cajun music and was even a roadie for Wayne Toups. He was a wash board player. Mr. Ronnie was a farrier in his younger days and enjoyed his time spent there.
He is survived by his daughter; Sabrina T. Frederick, and her husband Dalton, of Erath; four grandchildren; Izabella, Gabriella, Logyn, and Anthony; his brother; David Thibodeaux, and his wife Dawn, of Broussard; numerous siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Shirley Thibodeaux.
David Funeral Home of Erath 209 E Putman Street (337) 937-0405 is in charge of the arrangements.

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Rita Lavergne Hebert

Beverly Brasseaux Overstreet

Billy wouldn’t leave his gold

Knowledge

Byler receives higher evaluation score from Vermilion Parish School Board

Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office warns of increase in car burglaries

Wiltz J. Toups

Verna Bonvillian Whitworth

Elton John Adams

Ronnie Joseph “Foot” Thibodeaux

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