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February 9, 1929 ~ October 16, 2020

ABBEVILLE—Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Lydia Choate Perry, 91, who died Friday, October 16, 2020 at her residence. She was laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Pastor Chris Jeffus officiating and Rev. Wallace Primeaux assisting with the services. Pallbearers were Mark Simon, Jeff Cart, Clayton Choate, Derrel Choate, Wade Choate, and Anthony Choate. Luke Cart served as honorary pallbearer.
She is survived by her two daughters, Sonnia Perry of Abbeville, and Dianne P. Simon and husband, Mark of Abbeville; granddaughter, Christy Cart and husband, Jeffrey; great grandchildren, Amelia Cart and Luke Cart.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dudley Louis Perry; parents, Jules Choate and the former Teresa Guidry; sisters, Naomi Hebert, Gladys Wright, Imay Wright, Euna Faye Morgan, and Agnes Choate; and brothers, Lloyd Choate, Milton Choate, Fulton Choate, and Wilfred Choate.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from 9:00 AM until time of services.
The family would like to thank the staff of Bridgeway Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to our mother. The family wishes to express their gratitude to her caregivers, Nina, Micah, Karen and Tina.
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.

October 18, 1978 – October 08, 2020

ERATH – Erath community leader and town historian died at his home peacefully with his devoted parents at his side following a blessed and fortunate life filled with love.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert B. Vincent, 41, will be held at St. John the Evangelist’s Church in Henry, Louisiana with Fr. Emmanuel Fernandez officiating. The funeral mass will be on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of ABBEVILLE on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with recitations of the rosary at 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume on October 19, 2020 from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Erath.
Vincent was a lifelong resident of Erath. He had a passion for his hometown that burned deep in his heart. He worked tirelessly for the betterment and preservation of Erath. He spent countless hours scanning and preserving Erath’s history. Robert participated in numerous civic and cultural affairs of his hometown. At the time of his death, he was serving his third term on the Erath City Council. Robert strongly believed that fulfillment of a complete life could not be achieved without service to others.
At age 19, he was elected to serve his first term on the Erath City Council. He was selected to serve as Mayor-Pro Tem by his fellow councilmen for the Town of Erath from 1999 to 2003. He was re-elected and began serving on the council in 2015 to present.
The Erath 4th of July Association was an organization that had a special place in his heart. He began serving on the Board of Directors in 1996, and was proud to have served as the President of the organization longer than any previous President. He began serving as its President in 2003 and served until 2019. At age 10, he helped his cousin, Warren Perrin, to co-found the Acadian Museum in Erath. He served on the Board of Directors of the Museum since it was founded in 1990. Vincent also served on the Board of Directors of the Erath Backers Club and Erath Community Building, having served as Treasurer for both organizations. He began serving on the Board of Commissioners for the Erath Housing Authority in 2011until his death. He was a member of the Henry Volunteer Fire Department and the Erath Knights of Columbus, and was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. Vincent served as prosecutor for the Town of Erath from 2011 to 2014. He was a member of the Louisiana Bar Association. He served his parish as a member of the Vermilion Parish Board of Election Supervisors, beginning in 2012 to 2015.
As a child, Robert loved spending time with his maternal grandfather, Robert LaBauve from Morgan City. He spent hours in coffee shops listening to the banter of old men. He inherited his love of politics and compassion of people from his grandfather. He had an easy going nature and an incredible memory for history, people and their stories. He was the first to tell a humorous story of politicians past and present.
Robert was proud to be a full blooded Acadian. He loved anything Cajun: the culture, the music and the food. He loved DL Menard; his Mamere’s Cajun cooking and Ms. Dot’s famous rice dressing. Robert’s intelligence; his unselfish ways and humility; his soothing counsel and steadfast integrity; his love of history and politics; his sense of humor and contagious laugh made him the finest of friends. He uplifted all of those around him.
Vincent was a staunch Democrat. He served on the Vermilion Parish Democratic Executive Committee beginning in 2000, and serving as Vice Chairman (2004-2012) and as Chairman (2012 to 2019). Vincent was happiest when he was campaigning for his chosen candidate. He was proud to be a Democrat and was quick to share with others why he supported the party.
A 1997 graduate of Erath High School, he spearheaded the effort to raise funds to build a new all-weather track for the school. The track was constructed in 1996, replacing the antiquated cinder track. He was an ardent supporter of Erath Bobcats, and rarely missed a Bobcat football home game. By 2019, he was unable to attend his beloved games due to declining health.
Vincent obtained a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration for UL Lafayette in 2002 and Master of Business Administration from UL Lafayette in 2004. While a student at UL Lafayette, Vincent was selected as a member of Who’s Who on the UL Campus. In 2010, he graduated with a Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. He enjoyed practicing law in a small town in his law firm, the Law Office of Robert B. Vincent. He proudly served as “Of Counsel” with the law firm of Perrin, Landry, and deLaunay.
Vincent was honored by several organizations for his dedication to his community in spite of all obstacles placed in his way. He was very proud to have been named as a Louisiana Young Hero by Louisiana Public Broadcasting in 1996 and inducted into the Order of Living Legends by the Acadian Museum in 2015. It was with great joy that he served as the 2015 Grand Marshal of the Erath 4th of July Parade. He was inducted into the Erath High School Athletic Hall of Fame as an honorary in 2015 in recognition of his devotion to alma mater.
He was honored to receive Southern University Law Center “Distinguished Alumnus Award” in March, 2020. In June, 2020, he received The John A. “T-Jean” Hernandez III Memorial Award for the perpetuation and enhancement of the Francophone Legal Tradition by the Louisiana State Bar Association.
A life-long Catholic, his life was driven by his devotion to God. Vincent stated, “I had a wonderful life. It was full and complete with great loves and great endeavors that made it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that was intended. I leave this world with no regrets.”
Vincent was the devoted son of Douglas and Jackie Vincent of Erath and a loving brother to Joseph Vincent and his wife Heather of Lake Charles. He is also survived by his Godmother, Mary Michelle Reggie of Berwick, his Godfather, Donald Vincent and his wife Ann of Erath, and his aunt, Gwen Melancon and her husband Leo “Skipper” of Morgan City.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Maridel LaBauve; his paternal grandparents, C.B. and Edez Perrin Vincent; and his first cousin, Angelique Renee Melancon.
Proclaimers of the word will be Mary Michelle Reggie and Joseph Vincent. Serving as gift bears will be Kathryn, Angelique, and Katie Taylor; and Mary Catherine Reggie.
Honored to serve as pallbearers will be: Joseph Vincent, Jonathon Melancon, Leo “Skipper” Melancon, Donald Vincent, Christopher Reggie, Sean Dronet, and Maureen Alfred.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: Warren Perrin, Dustin Vincent, Mark Poche, Ray Reggie, Chance Thomas, Martial Broussard.
Robert was blessed with the unbelievable support and outpouring of love from family and friends. Special thanks to: Dr. Kemp Coreil, Lauren Dehart, RN, Angie Mitchell, RN, Karen Smothers, CNA, of Hospice Compassus and caregiver Gabbie Sanford for helping Robert in ways too numerous to count. They were kind and compassionate and became family friends.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation be made in Robert’s memory to the Acadian Museum of Erath, 203 South Broadway Street, Erath, LA 70533, or the Erath Schools: Dozier Elementary, Erath Middle School, and Erath High School.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.” 
St. John the Evangelist’s Church in Henry, LA is also requiring face covering.
David Funeral Home of Abbeville is in charge of arrangements 2600 Charity Street., Abbeville, LA 70510, (337) 893-3777.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for Rose Ashy Broussard, 95, who passed away on October 9, 2020 at her residence.
Fr. Keith Landry, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, will conduct a private graveside service for the family, with burial to take place in Calvary Cemetery.
Mrs. Rose Ashy Broussard, a resident of Kaplan, was the daughter of the late Richard Ashy and the former Cocab Mahfouz.
Rose Ashy Broussard, the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, played basketball for Brinkley High, Arkansas and for her alma mater Lafayette High. She served as a teletype operator for Western Union during and following WWII. Throughout her life, Rose was fully engaged in civic, spiritual and business organizations, striving to improve her community and the agricultural industry. She was a leader in fundraising through ALSAC, where she also served locally as secretary and treasurer in its fundraising to build and operate the St. Jude's Children's hospital. While raising her four (4) children, she co-founded the Forked Island Cub Scout Den, serving as scout leader and 4-H leader. Rose played a key role in securing funding for the Head Start program and the French Language programs in Forked Island. She supported the Church as secretary and president of the Immaculate Conception Lady's Altar Society. She served as a catechism teacher for fifteen (15) years. Rose received the Bishop's Service Award for the Diocese of Lafayette, the Raywood Mouton Service Award and the Kaplan Chapter of American Woman of the Year Award.
In politics, Rose served for many decades as an appointed elections commissioner, as a member of the Louisiana State Democratic Central Committee and as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. She served as Vice Chairperson of the Farm Bureau Women's Committee and as a member of Farm Bureau's legislative board. Rose lobbied tirelessly and successfully for funding to construct the Louisiana Hwy 82 Intracoastal Waterway Bridge which changed the lives of residents of and visitors to southern Vermilion Parish. Socially, Rose served on the Yambilee Festival Court, Lions Club president officer of the American Legion Women Auxiliary and Chic a la Pie Queen Jambalaya XXIX.
Rose has been a major force in Agriculture for more than a half century. While providing continuous support to her husband Charles in the daily operations of their cattle ranch and rice farm, she also promoted the general well-being of agriculture in Louisiana. Rose served as secretary and president of the Vermilion Parish Cowbelles (now Cattlewomen) and publicity chair of the state organization. Each March, she could be found making appearances throughout the state during Beef Month. Ag in the Classroom and Beef for Father’s Day were among the many programs she actively promoted. She traveled with Charles regionally attending annual livestock shows where they promoted the qualities of their registered Brahman, Charolais and Charbray herds. She served as president of The International Relations Association of Acadiana (TIRRA) which developed their livestock export opportunities and on the board of the Beef Council. The Louisiana Cattle Festival selected Rose as Honoree of the Year.
She is survived by her children, Richard C. Broussard (Kathleen), Yvonne B. Simon (Conrad), Alan J. Broussard (Brenda) and Hal J. Broussard (Cyndi); grandchildren, Rebecca, David, John, Brady, Cynthia, Mandy, Erin, Amy, Rachel, Neil, Matthew and Sarah; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Ashy Sr (Mimi); sister, Juliet A. Colvin; brother-in-law, John Lauer; and sister-in-law, Margaret Broussard.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Charles E. Broussard; brothers, Richard Ashy Sr. (Betty) and William Ashy (Margaret); sisters, Helen Ashy (George), Barbara A. Lauer and Yvonne Ashy; brother-in-law, Dr. William Broussard; sisters-in-law, Martha B. Ramos and Myrtis B. Bourge.
The family greatly appreciates the care given by Leading Health Care especially Tim Costello, Kathy Gaspar, Susan Younger, Paulette St. Julien, Jasmine Fontenot, Amanda Johnson and Chelsea Fields over the past few years. We also would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana and Lindsey LeBlanc, RN for their help these last few months. Their attention to Mama and her needs was a great help to Mama and our family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to honor Rose Ashy Broussard’s legacy through the Charles E. Broussard and the Rose Ashy Broussard Family Endowment to support the LSU Ag Center. Gifts may be made online at www.lsufoundation.org/broussardmemorial.
Donations can be made by check payable to the “LSU Foundation” showing “Rose Ashy Broussard Memorial” in the memo line. Please mail checks to:
LSU Foundation
Rose Ashy Broussard Memorial
3796 Nicholson Drive
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

Personal condolences may be sent to the Broussard family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

ACADIA PARISH – At approximately 1:00 p.m. on October 15, 2020, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I were notified of a two-vehicle crash on LA Highway 13, south of Wilder Road, in Acadia Parish. The crash took the life of 63-year-old Pauline Martha Faulk of Crowley.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed Faulk was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Prism when she failed to yield to oncoming traffic as she entered LA 13 from a private lot. Faulk’s vehicle was struck on the driver’s door in southbound travel lane by a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Faulk was restrained at the time of the crash but suffered fatal injuries. The driver of the Mercury was not injured and seatbelt usage was unknown. The driver of the Mercury did submit a breath sample which indicated no alcohol in his system. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the crash but toxicology samples were taken for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that, while not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired and always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.