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April 11, 1927 ~ June 29, 2021

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 2, 2021 at St. David Chapel honoring the life of Mabel Saltzman Walker, 94, who died Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. David Chapel Cemetery with Reverend Corey Campeaux officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Kirby Henry, Lee Henry, Bob Soderberg, Eric Soderberg, Tommy LeBlanc and Brian Braus. Ben Cooper, Grant Cooper and Grayson Hill will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mabel was born on April 11, 1927 in Wright, Louisiana where she grew up and attended school until she went to Gueydan High graduating in 1946. She married her beloved husband, R.L. Walker, Jr. in 1947 and made their home in Hempstead, Texas. Several years later, R.L. rejoined the U.S. Air Force. Mabel and R.L. loved military life and enjoyed R.L.’s assignments to Ellington Field, Kemah, Texas; Clark AFB, Philippines; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; Kadena AFB, Okinawa; and Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. Upon R.L.’s retirement from the Air Force in 1973, they came home to Mulvey, Louisiana where they spent the rest of their years.
Mabel was a kind, generous and compassionate lady who enjoyed working on her property where she maintained many acres of meticulous lawn. She had a good sense of humor and enjoyed good conversation, spending time with family and friends as often as possible. She was also a selfless family caregiver who took care of many family members in their later years.
She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Ann Walker Henry (Kirby), Cecelia Walker Soderberg (Robert), and Barbara Walker Sandoz (Thomas D. LeBlanc); grandchildren, Caroline Henry, Mandy Henry, Lee Henry, Eric Soderberg, Sonja Soderberg Quaintance, and Jessica Petry Cooper (Ben); great grandchildren, Paige Quaintance Minges (Derek), Grant Cooper and Lauren Cooper; and great-great granddaughter Maggie Gray Minges.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Lankston Walker, Jr.; parents, Isaac Saltzman and Agnes Frieu Saltzman; sister, Joycelyn Saltzman Adams; father and mother-in law, Richard Lankston Walker, Sr. and Ella Guidry Walker; and sister-in-law, Blanche Walker.
The family extends gratitude and thanks to all of her family and friends who kept in touch with her throughout the years and checked on her in her last days. Special thanks and appreciation to her caregiver, Bertha Harrington, as well as Mary Lou Hargrave and Liz Stelly. Also, Whitney Credeur, Sheena Domingue, and Brittany of Hospice of Acadiana. They were all so dear to her.
Donations in Mabel’s memory may be made to Hospice of Acadiana or St. David’s Chapel.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. David Chapel on Friday, July 2, 2021 from 12:00 PM until the time of the services at 2:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 1:00 PM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Walker family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services for Viola Mae Cormier will be held Friday July 2, 2021, at 2:00 PM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, with Father Chester Arceneaux officiating.
Visitation will be held Friday July 2, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of services, with a Rosary recited at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery.
Viola was born on March 22, 1932 to Andrew and Jency Arabie. She passed away at the age of 89, on June 29, 2021, in Abbeville LA.
Viola was a loving, caring and supportive person. She never met a stranger and loved to talk -- to anyone. She is well known for her goodies that she prepared each year for Christmas. In September she would set up her table, decorated for Christmas, and the baking would begin. This would continue until January. She would invite everyone she saw to her house to come see her Christmas decorations and eat the goodies from the tables. There was always homemade cookies, candy, cakes, tarts, and pies for all to enjoy.
She was an active member of the support group VOICE (Voices of innocent Citizens Empowered) for victims of crimes and their families. She reached out to many grieving families who experienced loss of loved ones due to crime. She touched many people with her love and support.
She was previously a volunteer for St. Theresa Catholic Church, dedicating her time and talent when and where she was needed. In the Mid 1960’s Viola was instrumental in getting a Catholic Church built in Burburnett, Texas, where she and Clyde were residing at the time with their family.
She is survived by her the love of her life, her spouse of 71 years Clyde J. Cormier; her sons Jeffrey D. Cormier (Mary), and James Howard Cormier (Roxanne); daughters Karen Bradley (Chuck) and Stephanie Richard (Michael). She is also survived by her grandchildren Brian Cormier, Paul Cormier (M.E.), Boyd Lejeune, Kane Cormier, Troy Bradley (Lauren), Jasen Bradley (Emilie), Jency Durke (Jermaine Babin), Michelle Broussard (Joey), and thirteen great grandchildren; and her sister Betty Piserell, and sister-in-law Florida Arabie.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Mary Jency Guillory Arabie; grandson Damian Michael Durke; brother Reevis Joseph Arabie; and sisters Anita Pousson (Edward), Verma Jean Kleven (Ken) and Eula Dean Trahan (Dale).
Condolences may be sent to the Cormier family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home 2600 Charity St. 337-893-3777 is in charge of arrangements.

September 5, 1927
~ June 29, 2021

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Mrs. Roy Dartez, 93, the former Callie Rose Richard who died Tuesday, June 29, 2021. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Reverend Matt Hebert officiating the services. Lectors will be Godchild Joel Vincent and Suzanne Richard.
A Crowley native, born September 5, 1927, the second of five children to the late Nelis and Domatile Bertrand Richard. Callie attended St. Michael’s Elementary and was a 1944 graduate of St. Michael’s High School. She furthered her education and attended St. Mary Dominican College in New Orleans. She was honored in World War II with a pair of wings for completing the required hours at the Observation Tower in Acadia Parish as a Civil Defense Observer on weekends and in the summer.
Unbeknownst to her how many lives she would touch all started with her first year as an educator at Mermentau Elementary. The following year was at St. Michael’s Elementary with her last year there having a class of seventh grade boys only.
She met the love of her live in April of 1947, Roy her lifetime soulmate of 64 years. They were married on November 10, 1948 at St. Michael Archangel Church in Crowley and moved to Kaplan the following year. In February of 1957 she was called by the principal at Maltrait Memorial School in Kaplan to consider finishing the year, as a 5th grade educator. That half-year lasted 25 years as a 4th grade educator.
A gifted teacher with a passion of providing the highest standard to all students. Sometimes they had to learn the hard way, but she was a master of turning bad behavior into an educational experience. That is why most 4th graders were known to have mastered their multiplication facts. She touched many lives through her dedicated service and her legacy continues to this day. After 29 years she retired in 1982 and after teaching all three of her sons.
A woman of great faith, she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America for 70 years. Having transferred from Court St. Michaels in 1949 to Court Pere Maltrait, she served as Grand Regent Secretary and Treasurer. She was a member of the Ladies Alter Society, as vice president, secretary and treasurer. She loved her rosary group, the adoration chapel and being a Eucharistic minister for the home bound for ten years. A past member of the cajun quilters, Vermilion homemakers and the Kaplan Mardi Gras Krewe of Chic-A-La-Pie.
She enjoyed working in the yard and watching the humming birds as a past time. In 1986 she enrolled in an oil painting class in Kaplan and later in Lafayette. She will be remembered for her generosity in donating some of her paintings every year to the Holy Rosary October Fete and the Maltrait Memorial Spring Festival funds. Most recently she had volunteered her service to Maltrait Memorial office and Holy Rosary Rectory.
She is survived by her two sons, Delwyn Dartez and wife, Anna of Kaplan and Don Dartez and wife, Vicky of Baton Rouge; seven grandchildren, Kyle, Kelly, Kerri Beth, Lucas (Amber), Schuyler (Valerie), Amber (Kyle) and Nicholas (Jessica); five great grandchildren, Zoey Clare, Lane, Sadie, Tucker and Ainsley Rose; and her sister, Deanna Spell (Ronnie) of Lyons Point.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; her son, Michael; her parents, Nelis Richard and the former Domatile Bertrand; her sister, Irene Istre; her brothers, Lawrence and Daniel; her paternal grandparents, Aristle and Edoline Monceaux Richard; and her maternal grandparents, Clerpher and Eranie Mire Bertrand.
The Dartez family would like to send appreciation to the staff at Vermilion Health Care for their love and comfort over the last few months.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 600 N. Church Avenue, on Friday, July 2, 2021 from 9:00 AM until the time of the services at 11:00 AM with a rosary being prayed at 10:00 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Dartez family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Cypress Funeral Home in Maurice for Mr. James "Jim" Doyle Gooch, Jr., 82, who passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Iberia Medical Center in New Iberia.
Deacon Francis Cao of St. Mary Magdalen will Officiate the Service.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2021 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Cypress Funeral Home.
James Doyle Gooch, Jr. was born on January 27, 1939 in Abbeville, Louisiana and he was a lifelong resident of Vermilion Parish. After completing Highschool Jim went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Army. He was a graduate of the University of South Western Louisiana. During his career he spent many years working in Oil and Gas, and in his later years he worked in the Insurance Business. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and he was also an avid golfer. More than anything Jim Gooch was a family man, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Susan Hebert Gooch of Abbeville; his two sons, Blake Gooch and Jack Gooch; his grandchildren, Ava Louise Gooch, Wyatt Gooch, Elliott Gooch, and Bryce Jacob Gooch; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Doyle Gooch Sr. and Yvonne Hollis Gooch; his brothers, Don Gooch, Hollis Gooch and Tommy Gooch; and his daughter-in-law, Lori Gooch.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in memory of James Doyle Gooch, Jr. to “Miles Perret Cancer Services”’ at www.milesperret.org
Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 West Lafayette St., Maurice, LA. 70555, (337) 740-3123, is in charge of arrangements.