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August 29, 1925 ~ December 20, 2018

KAPLAN — Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Garland Stelly, 93, who died Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Abbeville General Hospital. He was laid to rest at St. Anne Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers were Marty Hebert, Wyatt Garrard, Grady Dumond, Gaige Trahan, Kohner Trahan, and Shannon Trahan. Paul Broussard and Carol Trahan served as honorary pallbearers.
Garland was a lifelong Rice Farmer in Vermilion Parish and a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1942. He was also a lifetime member of the Cattlemen’s Association. He belonged to many other social organizations including the ASCS and Democratic Committees, as well as the FHA Board and the Rice Council.
He is survived by his two grandchildren, Bobbie Lane Trahan of Johnson Bayou and Shannon Carol Trahan and his wife, Michelle of Devers, TX; four great grandchildren, Wyatt Garrard, Gaige Trahan, Kohner Trahan, and Caleb Tripp; his companion, Norma Gaspard of Forked Island; and his son-in-law, Carol Trahan of Johnson Bayou.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Willa Mae Stelly; one son, Karl Stelly; one daughter, Phyllis Trahan; his parents, Ned Stelly and the former Annie Mae Broussard; one sister, Oline Broussard; and his godchild, Marshall Hebert.
The visitation was observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 8:00 AM until the services.
All funeral arrangements were conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Stelly family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

It is never an easy day, but for the family and friends of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, it is an important day.
Many joined Friday morning at the Abbeville Police Department for the John “Dooley” Hardy Memorial. The service is held each year by the Fraternal Order of Police John “Dooley” Hardy Memorial Lodge 48 to honor fallen officers from Vermilion Parish.
“This is a very solemn occasion for us,” Abbeville Chief of Police Bill Spearman said. “We want to remember all of our fallen officers. We think about John all the time. He was one of those people who would give you the shirt off his back and do anything for you. He was taken too early in life.”
Officers from Vermilion Parish who gave their lives in the line of duty include Hardy (Dec. 24, 1992), Todd Touchet (Jan. 8, 2000) of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rodney Trahan (April 6, 1969) of the Kaplan Police Department, Otto Bourque (Oct. 3, 1964) of the Erath Police Department, and Allen Bares Jr. (June 23, 2014) of the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Former Senator and Third Circuit Court of Appeal Judge-elect Jonathan Perry served as the guest speaker Friday morning. Perry, who served as a police officer in Kaplan years ago, said the feeling of brotherhood never leaves you.
“It’s going to stay with you,” Perry said. “It’s the most rewarding and best job that I have ever had. It is an honor and a privilege to serve and protect. Thank you to everyone who continues to serve. I thank the families who have lost someone for the sacrifice they gave to us.
“Never, ever, forget what they have done for us.”
Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon said that all law enforcement agencies work together to make the safest possible situations for officers. He said there is something else.
“I ask that we pray for all of these officers and their families,” the Sheriff said.

ABBEVILLE — A Celebration of Life Gathering for Jessica C. Morgan, 27, will be held Saturday, December 22, 2018 at David Funeral Home of Abbeville from 9:00AM until 12:00PM.
Jessica, born in Opelousas and a resident of Abbeville passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018. Our sister Jessica, she was the kindest, most genuine human being to walk the planet. Yes, she had her faults like most of us do, but she still managed to make sure everyone around her was happy. She had a remarkable smile that just lit every room even though she pulled off all of her own braces in high school. She was the most grateful person who never expected anything from anyone but tried to give everyone everything she had to offer. She loved her kids with everything inside of her and I know she’ll be watching over them. She was the kind of person that you just wanted to be around. No matter what mood you were in. She was honestly the most beautiful soul no matter what. From watching Grey’s Anatomy all night, to bleaching her hair until it all fell out, she was my Jessica. Our Jessica. And this is how we’ll remember her.
She is survived by her father, Ivan Morgan, her mother, Jeana Morgan; Her children, Gabriel Theall, Alaina Theall, and Dominic Barton; Her siblings, Madison Morgan, Ivy Morgan, Kamryn Morgan, Braylon Lopez, Dillon Turner, Devin Turner, Destiny Turner, Gabe Duhon; her grandparents and other family members.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville is in charge of the arrangements 2600 Charity st. Abbeville, LA 70510 (337) 893-3777.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette awarded degree’s to more than 1,200 degrees last Friday.
Nine students were recognized as summa cum laude graduates for achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Among those nine, three are from Vermilion Parish. They are:
• Catherine Louise Domingues, who majored in nursing, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions.
• Anh The Le, a petroleum engineering major, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.
• Hannah Lynn Trahan, who majored in elementary education, received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education.
Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 1,068 graduates. Master’s degrees were awarded to 172 graduates. Eighteen graduates received doctoral degrees. Two graduate certificates were awarded.
Fall 2018 graduates represented 47 Louisiana parishes, 29 states and 26 countries. The class was comprised of 747 women and 513 men. The youngest graduate was 20; the oldest was 63.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, University president, told graduates during the General Assembly that “no geographic or religious or political or economic differences can break the sometimes imperceptible – yet always permanent – chords that bind us together.”
“Our lives and destinies are intertwined. They remind us that the choices we make invariably will affect someone else,” he said.
“Our collective future depends on the willingness of individual to be of service to someone else. Fulfilling this moral obligation is one of life’s most critical tests.”

Vermilion Parish

Baccalaureate Degree

Arts
Chelsea Nicole Guidry

Business Administration
Morgan Eve Bergeron
Drake Aaron Broussard
Suzette Broussard
Mary Kirsten Broussard
Alec Wade Broussard
David L Capps
Kevin James Colomb
Faith Catherine Grant
Brooke Danielle Guidry
Wyatt Andrew Hardee
Kane Phuoc Khanh Nguyen

Education
Stephanie Alaina Cooper
Lauren Alexandra Faulk
Malani Claire Hoffpauir
Jana Priscilla Jones
Ellen Broussard Landry
Jill A LeBlanc
Lanie Elizabeth Legnon
Hannah Lynn Trahan
Logan Andre Viator

Engineering
Brennan Jude Barras
Jobe Michael Cormier
Paige Alexa Cutright
Anh The Le
Jimmy Minh Nguyen
Jordan Matthew Sonnier

Liberal Arts
Samantha Dominique David
Tyler Michael Guidry
Madison Noelle Istre
Myranda L. Landry
Kayla Alexandra Michot
Camille Marie Roy
Kate Evelyn Vincent
Hannah Cristen Young

Nursing and Allied
Health Professions
Catherine Louise Domingues
Whitney Renee Freeland
Kimberly Andrews Harkness
Danielle R. Hebert
Drake Sullivan Hoffpauir
Lena Michelle Issa
Lance Edward Moss
Emily Morgan Schexnayder
Hope Gisela Sims
Dana Elizabeth Thompson
Kaylee Alyse White

Sciences
Brooke Angelle Baudoin
Peter Rogers Broussard
Pete Cameron Folse
Lexxi Nicole Gautreaux
Mandy Leigh Johnston
Hung Q Le
Johnny Hai Pham
Russell Carl Trahan

University College
Oluwamayowa Bode-Omololu
Jenny Clarie Bouillion
Myles Tyler Bunker
Beau Joshua Callahan
Lacherie Comaleeta Lollis
David Paul Mowry
Sydney Claire Thibodeaux
Christian Michael Umphries

Master’s Degree

Arts
Katie Lynn Murphy
Kylie Marie Veazey

Business Administration
Aaron Lee Broussard

Education
Danielle Nicole Rudesill

Nursing and Allied
Health Professions
Marla Menard Dyson

Sciences
Adam Joseph Trahan