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ABBEVILLE — A Homegoing service for Rev. James Paul Pruitt, age 90, will be held at 2 p.m. at Abbeville Pentecostal Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025 with Pastor Cody Bryant, Rev. Ricki Pavlu, and Rev. Wesley Jackson officiating.  Interment will be at the Holder Cemetery in Bienville, La on Sunday February 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. under the direction of Frioux-David Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held at Abbeville Pentecostal Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025 beginning at 12 p.m. until the time of the services.
Reverend Pruitt was born in Tyler, Texas in 1935.  When he left home as a young teen, he travelled the United States by train working as a rider and hand for the circus. On his journeys he met his Betty Jo and swept her off her feet, quite literally, to hear the story told.  They married in 1951 and began their 71 years together.  Rev. Pruitt’s pastoral work began with the United Pentecostal Church in 1967 in Arcadia, La and eventually led he and Betty to Abbeville where they retired in 2007. 
He made sure there was always room at his house for a visit, a meal, and a late night game around the kitchen table or perhaps a new paperback western to share.  There are many people who will remember a time that he invited them to dinner, shared a bag of satsumas or fresh tomatoes from his garden, or offered a prayer in their time of need.  From the carpenter in overalls, the gardener with green thumbs, the man on horseback chasing elk in Colorado, to the Pastor with 50 years with the United Pentecostal Church, he was consistent in his message, his faith, and his love for his family and congregation.
Somewhere tonight, there’s a glass of tea being filled by Betty Jo and possibly a crawfish boil under his direction.
He is survived by a son, Rev. Tex Pruitt (Medina); three daughters, Jamie North, Dr. Juanita Lockett (Jerome), and Zula Odell (Terry); 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 5 (soon to be 6) great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo, a daughter, Pamela Allen; and a son in law Rev. Philip North. 
Serving as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Jeffery Parker, James Pruitt Jr, Philip North, Keith Clark III, Clayton Pruitt, Chad Pruitt, Jonathan North, David Austin, Carlos Pruitt, Eraitt Austin II, Twila Alford, Rebekah Craft, and Ashley Hanks. 
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org.
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.

On Thursday, Feb. 6,  the Gueydan Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Committee proudly unveiled a new community landmark: an oversized “Welcome to Gueydan Chair.” 
Cheyenne Guidry, one of the committee members, said this vibrant addition to the community, now proudly displayed at the Museum and Cultural Arts Society grounds thanks to its members, serves as a welcoming landmark for locals and visitors passing through the town. The chair was built by Ryan LaComb, painted by Dotty Lacomb, Kendra LaComb and Emily LaComb, and Cheyenne Guidry did the artwork.
The Decorating Committee works year-round to decorate the town for holidays and organize events like Christmas in the Park, the Thanksgiving Community Meal, and other gatherings that bring our town together. Each year, we try to bring something new and special to the town, and the “Welcome to Gueydan” chair became the focal point of our efforts, in hopes that it would become a fun and inviting symbol of this town’s hospitality. 
The Members of the Gueydan Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Committee:
• Dotty Lacomb 
• Cheyenne Guidry 
• Nancy Boudreaux 
• Celena Breaux 
• Kelly Guillory 
• Paula Deperrodil
• Kendra Lacomb 
• Candace Istre 
• Misty Matthews 
• Emily LaComb
“As a small town, we face challenges,” Guidry said, “but our committee’s goal is to keep a light shining in our little town and offer a warm welcome to all who pass through.” 
Through the decorations and events, Guidry said the committee hopes to help make Gueydan an inviting place for visitors and encourage them to stop and take in the beauty of our town and now even stop for a picture on our new chair. 
“We do various fundraising during the year to support our initiatives and ensure the town looks festive for residents and anyone passing through,” Guidry said. “We as a committee would like to express our deep gratitude to the residents of Gueydan for their unwavering support, both in the past and moving forward. We love this town and its people; we are truly thankful for this wonderful community and all of its people. We are excited to keep making Gueydan a place everyone can be proud of. 
“We hope the “Welcome to Gueydan Chair” will become a must-see spot for residents and those passing through, offering a fun photo opportunity and will become a beloved fixture in our community.”

A Breaux Bridge man has been booked in Vermilion Parish after he allegedly fired multiple shots at a residence in Abbeville.
On Monday, Feb. 10, at approximately 6:48 p.m., the Abbeville Police Department received a call for shots fired at the 200 block of South John Hardy Dr.
A complainant stated that someone shot at her house, hitting it five times, and the vehicle was still riding around her home. When officers arrived, they found several casings in front of the residence.
The Abbeville Police Department identified Shawndell Anthony Perron, 25, as the suspect. The department obtained a felony warrant for the following charges:
• Assault by Drive-by Shooting,
• Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities
• Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at approximately 4 p.m., the Breaux Bridge Police Department arrested Perron on the warrant. The Abbeville Police Department picked up Perron, booked and transported him to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.
Abbeville Chief of Police Mike Hardy urges the public to provide any further information regarding any other crime by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511. You may also contact our “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion by calling (337) 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.

The LSU AgCenter Nutrition & Community Health (NCH) program is pleased to announce a new program, Nourish to Prevent aimed at helping residents reduce the risk of cancer through diet and lifestyle.
The Nourish to Prevent series will be offered by NCH Agent and Registered Dietitian, Mandy Armentor, at the Vermilion Parish LSU AgCenter office (1105 W. Port Street, Abbeville, LA) on Thursday, Feb. 20, 27, and March 6, 2025, at 5:30 pm.
The program will last one hour long each Thursday evening and different topics will be covered at each class, so participants need to attend all three classes offered. The program is FREE of charge and the class size is limited to 12 people.
To attend the classes, please call 337-898-4335 or email Mandy at marmentor@agcenter.lsu.edu with your name, email, and phone number to reserve your spot. All participants will receive a folder of information presented and more! The deadline to register for the class is Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. If we fill all 12 spots, a waiting list will be started.
For more information or to register contact Mandy Armentor, 337-898-4335 or marmentor@agcenter.lsu.edu.