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Mark Suire was looking forward to the springtime.
He was beginning his fifth season as the softball coach at Centenary College in Shreveport, and he became the proud father of a two-month-old baby. But then the coronavirus pandemic arrived and turned his life upside down.
Softball season was canceled, which turned into a positive thing because it meant more time to spend with his daughter, Anlee, and his girlfriend Ashlyn Grossie, who is from Delcambre. The three had time to bond until one morning when Suire awoke to feel sick.
Two weeks ago, Suire, who is 50, awoke with sore eyes and a mild fever. He first thought it was Pink Eye. But after sleeping for 36 straight hours, he figured it was more than Pink Eye.
With a two-month-old in the house, Ashlyn and Suire did not want to gamble, so Suire got tested for COVID-19, especially after his fever spiked to 102.8. That test came back negative.
Days later, he took another COVID-19 test, and this time it came back positive. Suire, who is a native of Abbeville, became a statistic. He also had to stay away from his baby in their two-bedroom home.
“Originally, they told me to go away,” said Suire. “I had nowhere to go. I had to go into quarantine in my own house.”
He stayed away from his family and slowly recovered over seven days. He contacted his players and the university and told them about his situation. Telling his players in a conference call was tough because he was the first person they knew with COVID-19.
“They wanted to know what was next,” said Suire. “They wanted to know if I would die. At the time, I did not feel that bad. My lungs were fine. I was not having trouble breathing. I just had a fever and felt sluggish.”
He said Grossie became a cleaning machine and wiped everything throughout the house, in hopes of killing the virus.
When Louisiana was forced to go into lockdown, Suire and his family stayed home for the first two weeks. He said the only place where he may have come in contact with the virus is when he went to the grocery store in Shreveport. Other than that, he went nowhere.
Today, he has recovered, but he knows he is not out of the woods. While he was able to hold his baby this week, he is still careful when he is near Ashlyn and Anlee. If the three go outside for a walk, he will wear a mask if there are people around. He is staying away from crowds. He washes his hands throughout the day.
Suire admits he is not the same person he was before the virus. Coach Suire only worried about softball, winning, losing, and when to hold the next practice.
“Now it is, will I survive today?” said Suire. “You turn on the TV, and you see the cases of people dying. I was scared to death to go to the hospital. I knew I did not want to go.”
He never did. His body was able to fight off the virus. Since that morning of waking up with sore eyes, Suire has lost 20 pounds because he has eaten very little. His life is slowly getting back to normal, but his body is still not 100 percent.
“Each day I feel better,” he said. “I am slowly recovering, which I am grateful for.”
He said he is also grateful to Ashlyn and Anlee for helping him survive the virus.
“I could not have done it without them,” he added.

Recently, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.
“We know this is a challenging time for our community,” said Interim parish Superintendent Brad Pruhomme. “Structure and routines can be helpful to maintain some sense of normalcy during an uncertain time. In an effort to support our families and students during this extended school closure, our central office staff and school leaders have collaborated to develop a Continuous Learning Plan for our district.”
This plan outlines the school district’s step by step process to ensure that all students receive instructional support during this extended closure. This support will continue well into the 2020-2021 school year when all students and staff return safely to our schools.
Beginning April 20 - April 22, teachers and school administrators will be calling parents of their students, as part of our Vermilion Community Call-Out Mission.
Teachers will provide information regarding end of the year grades, waiving of state testing and directing parents to our Supplemental
Continuous Learning Guide.
Beginning the week of April 27, until the end of the school year, May 22, teachers will continue contacting families once per week via phone calls, emails, and/or Google classroom to offer support in their continuous learning.
Teachers will provide assistance in selecting age appropriate resources as identified in our Continuous Learning Guide and offering feedback on student progress for the duration of this school closure.
Students will not be graded for these Optional educational opportunities. The resources provide support for all learners including students with disabilities.
Please visit the Vermilion Parish School district’s website at vpsb.net under COVID-19 Information Page to view our extensive Continuous Learning Plan.

December 28, 1927 ~ April 16, 2020

ABBEVILLE — Agnes Kirkpatrick Godchaux passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on April 16, 2020. Agnes was born December 28, 1927 in Abbeville, Louisiana to Elijah Nevins Kirkpatrick and Mary Fish Kirkpatrick. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years Frank A. Godchaux III, by her sisters, Betsy Manning and Sarah Reade and by her brother E. N.” Sonny” Kirkpatrick Jr. She is survived by her four children Katherine Derby (Joel), Mary Wieck (Larry), Leslie Godchaux and Frank K. Godchaux; six grandchildren Leigh Godchaux, Stephen Wieck (Whitney), Frances Derby Bruhnke (Ben), Elizabeth Derby Richey (Paul), Gus Godchaux (Mark) and Joel Derby IV(Fiancé Madeline); four great grandchildren Frank Vice, Parker Vice, Emerson Bruhnke and Cecily Bruhnke.
Agnes graduated from Abbeville high school in the class 1945. She then attended LSU and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. After graduation Agnes taught and coached in Gueydan, Louisiana and the following year, 1952 she moved to Fairbanks Alaska where she continued coaching women’s sports. After a year of teaching in Alaska, Agnes received a letter from the love of her life, Frank A Godchaux III, asking her to marry him, her reply, “I’m sitting on top of the world.” She married Frank on May 23, 1953.
For decades, Agnes was an invaluable partner travelling the world extensively by Frank’s side. Taking many business trips with Frank, who was active in the rice industry and served as a director on many corporate boards, Agnes was able to charm everyone she met worldwide. With her smile and grace, language was never a barrier for her. From the moors of Scotland to the rivers of India she left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
Agnes was an international sports woman when few women participated in sports. She was a crack shot, frequently out shooting the men and an excellent fly fisherwoman. Agnes was always a good sport whether walking for miles on a cold rainy Scottish moor, throwing a line for a fresh Atlantic salmon or out on an early morning duck hunt at her beloved Live Oak Plantation.
Throughout her life, Agnes was passionate about her family, friends, and overseeing her flower gardens, particularly her rose garden in Abbeville. She was active in the Abbeville community through the Woman’s Club of Abbeville, The Women of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and her sewing club. Agnes contributed to many Abbeville and Vermilion Parish organizations including Hearts of Hope, Boys and Girls Club of Vermilion Parish, Vermilion Historical Society, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church along with many others. She endowed the Agnes K. Godchaux business administration scholarship fund at the University of Louisiana Lafayette and she endowed the E.N. Kirkpatrick scholarship fund at Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing in honor of her father. She appreciated how important education is and wanted to make a difference in young people’s lives.
Pallbearers are Stephen Wieck, Gus Godchaux, Mark Weinberger, Joel Derby III, Joel Derby IV, Ben Bruhnke, Paul Richey and Charles Payne. Honorary Pallbearers are Lawrence Wieck, Pat Rose, and Charles Sonnier.
The Godchaux family wishes to express their gratitude to Charlotte Dubose, Murphy Landry, Mother Madge McLain of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Senior Helpers care givers, Dr. Dana Dicharry, MD and Nursing Specialties, Inc. for their dedication, kind care and service.
Under the current circumstances, funeral services will be private. A memorial service and celebration of her amazing life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 101 E. Vermilion St., Abbeville, Louisiana 70510 or Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, 301AA Comeaux Memorial Drive, Abbeville, Louisiana 70510.

ABBEVILLE – A Private Service and Interment was held for Tony Boudreaux, Sr. at 1:00PM on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at St. Paul Cemetery with Pastor Allen Randle officiating.
A native and resident of Abbeville, Mr. Boudreaux died at 4:34PM at Oschner Medical Center on Sunday, April 12, 2020. Mr. Tony was a hard worker and worked in the Oil Field for over 42 years. He took pride in caring for his cars and was an avid LSU football and Saints fan.
He is survived by his wife, Josette Briggs Boudreaux of Abbeville; three sons, Antonio Boudreaux, Timothy Boudreaux, and Tony Boudreaux, Jr.; five daughters, Carla Arclise, Valerie Chargois, Laurie Boudreaux, Kimberly Boudreaux, and Raven Boudreaux; four sisters, Barbara Adams, Beverly Boudreaux, Marilyn Boudreaux, and Yvonne Morris; and fifteen grandchildren.
He was preceded in death his parents, Louis Joseph Boudreaux, Sr. and Lucille A. Boudreaux; a son, Anthony Mouton Boudreaux; four brothers, Louis Joseph Boudreaux, Jr., Roland Boudreaux, Calvin Boudreaux, Angelo Boudreaux, Sr., and Ray Boudreaux, Sr.; and two sisters, Linda Boudreaux and Meriam Boudreaux.
Serving as pallbearers will be Tony Boudreaux, Jr., Senic Briggs, Allen Arclise, and Dwight Harris.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.