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August 10, 1971 - April 02, 2019

ABBEVILLE – Funeral Service for Terry Wayne Lewis is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Kinchen Funeral Home – 218 North St. Valerie Street, Abbeville, LA – with interment in St. Paul Cemetery.
Terry Wayne Lewis was born on August 10, 1971 in Lafayette, LA to the late Ann Mae Lewis Martin and Theo Collins. He was the third son and known to many as “T-Wayne.” Terry attended the First Greater Apostolic Church in Abbeville and received the Holy Ghost in 2003 and was baptized by Brother J. Anderson (Pastor). Terry attended the Baldwin Christian Academy where he later graduated in 1991.
Terry worked for many years in the oilfield industry as a cook for PMB Operator and Mako Unlimited. He enjoyed his years in the oilfield with his offshore family. Terry also enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, his sons and wife; he also loved to cook and decorate.
Terry departed this earthly life suddenly on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 in Abbeville, LA. Brother Terry Wayne Lewis as preceded in death by his mother Ann Mae Lewis Martin, his father Theo Collins, maternal grandparents Idella and Lawrence Lewis, Sr., brother Mike Lewis, one aunt Laura M. Patrick, two uncles Lawrence Lewis and George Patrick, mother-in-law Joycelyn St. Julien, father-in-law Carroll J. St. Julien, and one sister-in-law Phyllis St. Julien.
He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife of sixteen years Danielle Marie Lewis; three stepsons, James, Darrin, Devonte St. Julien; four grandkids, James, Jr., Jenesis, Jaye, and Amiyah St. Julien all of Abbeville, LA; two brothers, Calvin Martin (Nina) of Charenton, LA; Theo, Jr. of New Orleans, LA; Aunt Northa Lee Holmes of Franklin, LA; Mable Lewis of Houston, TX; one uncle Leroy Lewis and also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and work family.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2019 in the chapel of Kinchen Funeral Home from 7:00 A.M. until time of service.
Kinchen Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed on our website at: www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.

ERATH — When Taylor Mencacci became mayor of Erath, he vowed to have a veteran lead the Pledge of Allegiance before each Erath council meeting.
On Monday at the town’s monthly meeting, one of only a handful of remaining World War II veterans from Erath led the Pledge.
Willis Granger, who is 96, was surrounded by friends and family when he began saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
When Granger entered the Navy in 1944, he spoke no English. He was a seaman who worked on maintaining ammunition aboard the USS Catoctin.
While serving on the USS Catoctin, he was present for the Yalta Conference in 1945. The conference brought together the leaders of America, Russia and England. The leaders, including President Roosevelt, met to discuss the terms of an unconditional surrender of Hitler’s Germany.
President Roosevelt and his daughter were aboard the USS Catoctin before the conference.
In 2002, Granger was recognized by the French government for his service and presented a commendation from the French Consulate in a ceremony in Lafayette.
Granger is the oldest member in the Derouen-Moss American Legion in Erath.
This is the first World War II veteran to lead the Pledge in Erath. Mencacci, who has been mayor for four months, said because he is a veteran, this is something he has always wanted to do.
“No one hears their stories,” said Mencacci. “This is a chance to hear their stories and what they have been through.”
Mencacci enlisted in the National Guard in 1999 at the age of 17. In 2004 as a medic, he served in Iraq for a year.

August 18, 1935 - April 08, 2019

ABBEVILLE — Joyce Hebert Russo, 83, passed away in her home, surrounded by her children on Monday, April 8, 2019.  A funeral mass to honor Mrs. Russo’s life will be celebrated by Reverend Monsignor Keith Derouen at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 11 at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 300 Pere Megret Street, Abbeville, LA. She will be laid to rest at Saint Paul Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers will be Thomas Russo, Phillip Russo, Robert Russo, Foster Monteleon, William Burch, and Gregory Bresnitz.
Mrs. Russo is survived by her children, Robert Russo, Jr. and his wife, Tracy, of Abbeville, Tina Russo Rowe of Lafayette, and James Russo and his wife, Sukie, of Abbeville; her grandchildren, Thomas Russo and his wife, Jennifer, of Kaneohe, HI, Molly Rowe Bresnitz and her husband, Gregory, of Brooklyn, NY, Phillip Russo and his wife, Caitlin, of Lafayette, Robert S. Russo and his wife, Hailey, of Abbeville, Mary-Catherine Russo Burch and her husband, William, of Lafayette, and Foster Monteleon and his fiancée, Emily St. Aubin, of Lafayette; her great grandchildren, Giuliana Russo, Ariana Russo, and Jack Newman Burch; and her brother, James Floyd Hebert and his wife, Jane, of Baton Rouge.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Russo, Sr.; her grandson, William Rowe, and her parents, Otto Hebert and Ida Mouton Hebert.
Visiting hours will be at Vincent Funeral Home, 209 South Saint Charles Street in Abbeville on Wednesday, April 10 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m, with a rosary recitation at 6 p.m. On Thursday, visitation will be from 8 a.m. until the procession departs for St. Mary Magdalen Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Carmel Elementary School, 405 Park Avenue, Abbeville, LA 70510.
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.

The Vermilion Economic Development Alliance (VEDA) aims to attract business and investment to communities across Vermilion Parish. In coordination with local government and business partners, the Alliance will provide an open house for available buildings in Downtown Abbeville.
Come and see the possibilities and enjoy the beautiful core of our Parish during this fun-filled inside look at several investment properties. Attendees can view real estate opportunities, first-hand, in the heart of a historic and cultural district. They will move from location to location in the style of an open house. Each property will have a representative present to answer questions and show the space.
The goal is to foster interest in investment, leverage these unique Downtown Abbeville designations, and pilot a program that can be replicated in other areas of the Parish. Partners include Vermilion Economic Development Alliance, City of Abbeville, Abbeville Mainstreet, and Sunrise Realty. Other community partners will provide access to local businesses and venues that demonstrate the vibrancy of the downtown core.
The event is free to attend, but pre-registration will reserve your spot. Those who pre-register will have access to day-of perks! The tour will begin at The Depot Gift Shop (201 W. Lafayette St.) at 1 pm with complimentary coffee. Attendees will pick up their event map and be able to tour the properties, redevelopment projects, cultural attractions, and stop in at local businesses from 1 pm until 4 pm.
For more information or to register online, visit www.developvermilion.org/events.