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February 8, 1943 ~ February 2, 2021

ABBEVILLE — We are sad to let you know Rose Mary Hagood, born on February 8, 1943, passed away very unexpectedly on February 2, 2021 after a sudden diagnosis of cancer.
Born and raised in Abbeville, LA, she was one of five children born to the late Clifton Earl Hagood, Sr. and Mary Kitchell Hagood. Rose is preceded in death by her uncle James R. Kitchell, Sr. (Heloise “Doll”), her aunts Isabel Kitchell, Louise Kitchell Burroughs, Bird Kitchell Speer, her brother Clifton Earl Hagood, Jr., and her cousin Howard Speer. She will be forever remembered by her siblings Lawrence (Michelle), Barbara Dianne, and William “Bill” (Debbie); her sister-in-law Judy; her very dear nephew William “Billy” and niece Amanda “Mandy”. Rose will be missed by her first cousins (who were more like siblings as they grew up together) Rebecca “Becky”, James “Paw Paw” (Marilyn), Reed (Beth), along with countless other cousins and friends whom were blessed to know her. Pallbearers will be William “Billy” Kitchell Hagood, Jr., James Robert Kitchell III, James Robert Kitchell IV, Reed Kitchell, Scotty Fatjo, and Kevin McDaniel.
Rose grew up on Charity Street in a house filled with her parents, four siblings, her uncle and his wife and their three kids, and two aunts—there was never a dull moment. She graduated from Abbeville High School in 1961. She then attended and graduated from USL. Rose worked at the Mechanical Engineering Department at USL for her entire career. She started as the secretary and retired after 30+ years of service as the Assistant to the Dean of the department.  After she retired Rose stayed busy with various groups and organizations including DAR; Galvez Chapter, Abbeville Volunteer Tour Guides, General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC); Abbeville Chapter, French Club (mostly for the wine and cheese!), Bridge Club and Garden Club. In 2008 Rose was named “Outstanding Club Woman” for Louisiana by GFWC for her continuing efforts through the club to assist schools after Hurricane Katrina. Rose was a very active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Congregation and the ladies stitching group.  Rose enjoyed international travel with her sister Dianne and cousin James and his wife Marilyn. Rose loved a great party, good meal and was always present at the big and small events for her family and friends.
Rose will be remembered for her big smile and even bigger hugs. Friends and family are invited to visiting hours on Friday, February 5, 2021 from 5-8pm at Vincent Funeral Home, 209 S St. Charles Avenue, Abbeville, LA 70510. The family asks that you please wear a mask and practice social distancing. The funeral services will be held Saturday at the Abbeville United Methodist Church. Due to COVID restrictions the service and burial will be limited to family and pre-notified guests. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Alice Ann Boyton, Jenny Milligan and Mother Madge McLain for their friendship and care especially in Rose’s final days. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 101 E Vermillion Street, Abbeville, LA 70510 or St. John the Divine Episcopal Church (Stephen Ministers), 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019.
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.

By David Jacobs |
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Louisiana officials will work with local partners to deploy “mobile vaccine teams” to areas with little access to health care, Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Courtney Phillips said Tuesday.
In a congressional subcommittee hearing held remotely, Phillips said Louisiana is prepared to distribute more COVID-19 vaccine doses as they are made available.
“We’re ready,” Phillips said. “I think most states are.”
President Joe Biden's administration announced Tuesday a 5% increase in the number of vaccine doses the federal government will distribute to states this week. This represents a 22% increase since Biden took office and will be the minimum supply level for the next three weeks, administration officials said.
The Biden administration also said it would begin sending vaccine doses directly to pharmacies. Louisiana already includes pharmacies as part of its distribution plan. Of the 1,919 providers enrolled in Louisiana’s plan, however, only 613 have gotten any vaccine doses because of the limited supply, Phillips said.
She said 90% to 95% of the doses Louisiana gets are in arms within a week and the state ranks 18th in the number of residents vaccinated per 100,000. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers show Louisiana has received 648,925 doses and administered 463,179. Phillips said the CDC’s stats are misleading because they include doses being held back for the patient’s second dose, which is needed to get the full benefit, and doses sent for the federal government’s public-private nursing home program, which states do not control.
State officials said last week only 26% of nursing home workers had taken advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated through the federal program. Phillips said the state has been able to redirect some of those doses to the broader community and continued flexibility in the program would be appreciated.
Phillips also praised the federal government’s recent efforts to let states know three weeks out how many doses they can expect to get on a weekly basis, which helps with planning. Federal officials previously had given states one week of notice.
She also thanked Congress for its financial support, which she said is still very much needed for the COVID-19 response.
“The recent notification of the 100% FEMA reimbursement has provided great relief to our public health team, coupled with the 100% Louisiana National Grant reimbursement and the second tranche of federal grant funds has been the resources needed for us to adequately respond to this pandemic,” Phillips said in her prepared remarks.
As of Jan. 30, Louisiana had been allocated 438,100 first doses, with 93,600 diverted to the federal program, leaving 344,500 available for in-state allocation, Phillips said. The federal government sent 67,350 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Louisiana this week, up from 58,150 doses last week.

KAPLAN — Students at Rene Rost Middle School in Kaplan had to be evacuated from campus Wednesday afternoon due to a reported bomb threat.
Kaplan Chief of Police Joshua Hardy said his department responded to the incident. Officers searched the building.
According to Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler, all students were moved to Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He said normal dismissal would take place there.
Byler said the Kaplan Police Department placed officers at the school and they had K9s sweeping the building.
“Our students and staff did a fantastic job and students were safe at all times,” Byler said. “We would like to thank the entire community and parents for trusting us with the safety of our students.
“Your cooperation with this process is greatly appreciated."

Fifty years ago, Gulf Coast Bank opened its doors for the first time in Abbeville, LA, where the Main Office still stands today.
When the Bank’s doors first opened in 1971, banking was very different. There were no computers, and all processes were manual.
The original building was a small trailer and the bank had only four employees: Lorraine LeBlanc, Richard Dubois, Ruby Bertrand, and the founder of Gulf Coast Bank, Charles A. Patout.
Charles Patout recognized the underserved market in Vermilion Parish and made it his mission to open a new bank.
Charles’ son, Paul Patout, current Gulf Coast Bank President & CEO, joined the Gulf Coast Bank team in 1980, and another of his sons, Pat Patout, current Gulf Coast Bank Chairman of the Board, joined in 1982.
“Our father had so much passion for the Bank and all the communities we get to serve. He understood we had to earn customers’ business. They have to choose us,” Paul and Pat said of Charles A. Patout.
Charles and the growing staff at Gulf Coast Bank worked to solidify customer service at the core of the company and to build a quality reputation. He passed away in 1999 leaving a legacy of hard work and service behind him.
Banking has changed over the years and new technology was implemented, including the Bank’s first computer, first ATM, first online banking service, along with many other milestones. Today Gulf Coast Bank remains committed to ensuring they have the technology that customers need.
From their humble beginnings in Abbeville, Gulf Coast Bank now has 100+ employees and locations serving Abbeville, Erath, Delcambre, Maurice, Lafayette, Youngsville, Carencro, and surrounding areas.
Although the Bank has grown, the culture remains the same. There is still a small-town, warm feeling at Gulf Coast Bank when you walk through the doors at any branch, and teamwork is still highly valued. Paul Patout encourages everyone on the Gulf Coast Bank team to care about their fellow team members, customers, and community.
While banking is changing faster than ever, one thing that will never change at Gulf Coast Bank is their commitment to the community. Gulf Coast Bank employees still have the same priorities today: to provide outstanding customer service and maintain active involvement in the communities they get to serve, and that passion comes directly from the enthusiasm on which the company was founded over 50 years ago.
Gulf Coast Bank is a locally owned and operated full-service financial institution with nine locations in Vermilion and Lafayette parishes. The company prides itself in giving back to the community and helping customers achieve their personal and business financial goals.