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Motorcyclist Killed in Acadia Parish Crash

CHURCH POINT – Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 14, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a three vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality on LA Hwy. 95 at LA Hwy. 365 in Acadia Parish.
The crash took the life of 24-year-old Weston R. Nelams of Church Point.
The preliminary investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 41-year-old Frankie Guillory of Opelousas was driving a 2014 GMC pickup truck northbound on LA Hwy 95 behind a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by 19-year-old Tyler Bergeron of Church Point. At the same time Nelams was operating a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound on LA Hwy 95. Bergeron had brought his vehicle to a stop preparing to turn left onto LA Hwy 365, and for unknown reasons Guillory failed to stop for the Ford and attempted to steer his GMC to the left. The GMC struck the Ford causing the GMC to rotate into the southbound lane, and as a result the GMC struck the Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Nelams sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. He was pronounced deceased on scene by the Acadia Parish Coroner’s Office. Guillory and Bergeron were properly restrained and were uninjured in the crash. Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this crash, but toxicology samples were taken from all drivers to be submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. This crash remains under investigation, and charges are pending.

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Lovelace Joseph Landry, Sr.

ABBEVILLE – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Lovelace Joseph Landry, Sr., 79, will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at St. Theresa Catholic Church with Fr. François Sainte-Marie officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 9:00AM until the time of the services with a recitation of the rosary at 11:00AM.
A native of Abbeville and a resident of Erath, Mr. Lovelace died at 8:25PM on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Abbeville General Hospital. He enjoyed watching sports and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Clostio Landry of Erath; a daughter, Patricia Cessac of Crosby, TX; a sister, Velta Landry; five grandchildren, Justin Cessac, Phillip Cessac, Nathan Cessac, Jake Broussard, and Eric Broussard; and a great grandchild, Anna Lee Broussard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claudol and Edna Primeaux Landry; a son, Lovelace J. Landry, Jr.; a daughter, Gloria Broussard; a brother, Duris Landry; and two sisters, Olite Rogers, and Olive Landry.
Serving as pallbearers will be Justin Paul Cessac, Phillip James Cessac, Nathan Thomas Cessac, Jake Paul Broussard, and Eric John Broussard.
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.

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Essie Marie Mayeux

November 27, 1930 ~ August 12, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church honoring the life of Essie Marie Mayeux, 87, who died Sunday, August 12, 2018 at Maison du Monde Living Center. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Reverend Nicholas DuPre' officiating the services.
Essie is survived by her two sons, Jules V. Mayeux and wife Catherine, and Hugh J. Mayeux and wife Sheila all of Abbeville; two daughters, Mary M. Mayeux, and Amy M. Sellers and her husband Will all of Abbeville; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; brother, Eugene "Gene" Mayeux; and two sisters, Sadie Rabalais of Baytown,TX, and Vicky Naquin of Abbeville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Mayeux; son, John Matthew Mayeux; and great grandchild, Simonet Sellers.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
For those preferring memorials, contributions can be made in Essie Mayeux’s memory to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503-3240.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbevi

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Theresa Joy Coleman Touchet

October 18, 1934 ~ August 13, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Theresa Joy Coleman Touchet, 83, who died Monday, August 13, 2018 at Vermilion Health Care Center. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Reverend Louis Richard officiating the services.
Pallbearers will be Cory Touchet, Kim Touchet, Mark Baudoin, Marlin Touchet, Nicholas Touchet, and Ryan Touchet.
Theresa is survived by her two sisters, Cecille Johnson of Morgan City, and Marjorie Brooks of North Carolina; two sons, Cory Touchet and his wife Penny Lane of Cow Island, and Duane Touchet and his wife Victoria of Meaux; two granddaughters, Korri Lane and Elizabeth Grace; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Touchet; parents, John Coleman, Sr. and the former Edna Desormeaux; six sisters, Dorothy Avent, Winnie Salazar, Rita Coleman, Roberta Coleman, Mildred Dore, and Carita Hooper; and five brothers, Frank Coleman, John Coleman, Jr., Joseph Coleman, Patrick Theriot, and Paul Coleman.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
The family wishes to sincerely thank Vermilion Health Care Center and Hospice of Acadiana for the wonderful care and support.
For those preferring memorials, contributions can be made in Theresa Touchet’s memory to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503-3240.
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.

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Paul Robert Miller

January 12, 1951 ~ August 12, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday August 17, 2018 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Paul Robert Miller, 67, who died Sunday August 12, 2018 at Ochsner Medical Center. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with his first cousin Reverend Steve LeBlanc officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Paul Robert Miller, Jr., Seth Fenwick Miller, Dr. Weston P. Miller III, James O’Neal, Benjamin Guidry, E. Marshall Sellers, III, Bill LeBlanc, Charlie Beckett, and Chris Saunier. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Weston P. Miller IV, Ronnie Guidry, Bryan Simon and Bang Bui. Gift Bearers will be Phallie Miller, Eleanor Miller and Andrea M. O’Konski.
Paul was the Owner of Ramm Printers, a business founded by his father, where he worked along side his mother for many years. He was a member of the Abbeville Kiwanis Club and served in many capacities. He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed coaching little league baseball and basketball. Most of all, he was a passionate LSU football fan who loved game days spent with his children, family and friends. He was quick to lend a helping hand where ever he was needed. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his sons, Paul Robert Miller, Jr., Seth Fenwick Miller; daughter Mary Phallie Scroggin Miller; their mother Kathleen Sellers Miller; grandchildren Eleanor Rose and Elijah Archer Miller; brother, Dr. Weston P. Miller, III; sisters, Marcia O’Neal and her husband James; Mary Kay Guidry; godchildren, Andrea M. O’Konski, Benjamin J. Guidry, E. Marshall Sellers III; and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom fondly referred to him as Parrainé Paul.
He was preceded in death by his father Weston Peter Miller, Sr. and his mother Hazel LeBlanc Miller.
In lieu of flowers the family request donation be made to American Heart Association American Stroke Association PO Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home, Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Friday, August 17, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 10: 45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
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.

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Abbeville Police to enforce daytime curfew in city

Kids are back in school as the sun has set on summer fun.
Now that school is back in session, Abbeville Chief of Police William Spearman wants to remind parents and legal guardians that officers will be enforcing the city’s daytime curfew for ages 7 to 17.
Anyone within those ages cannot be alone in any public place between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Whether they are in school, at home, or with a parent or guardian, Sgt. Jonathan Castille of the Abbeville Police Department said the objective is safety.
“A child cannot be wandering the streets by themselves,” Castille said. “If a parent or guardian are with them, that is fine. We just don’t want them to be by themselves, where they can get hurt.”
If officers do find a school-aged student, that officer will contact the parent or guardian and will either bring the student to the parent, or to his or her school.
“We will contact the parent or guardian,” Castille said, “and find out where to bring the child. We may also bring the child to the station, and the parent or guardian must come to pick up the child.”
In the case of any child who violates the curfew for a third time or more in a 365-day period, the parent or guardian, having previously been notified of the violation, will be cited.
“They will be cited for negligently failing to supervise a child,” Castille said.
That is a misdemeanor and is subject to the jurisdiction of city court. A fine of $500 can be imposed for each offense, as well as a sentence of not more than 60 days in jail.
This is not an issue that will be overlooked.
“The Chief wants people to know that officers will be enforcing the city ordinance for daytime curfew,” Castille said. “We don’t want children running around the city unsupervised. Whenever they are unsupervised, they can get into trouble or get hurt.
“We want the city to be safe and for children to be safe.”

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LeBlanc Elementary teacher Amy Thibodeaux

LeBlanc Elementary teacher uses disability to motivate her

Amy Thibodeaux has Cerebral Palsy which will make her a better teacher

School began last Thursday here in Vermilion Parish. The hallways and desks gained new occupants as new students and teachers began their first lessons of the 2018-2019 school year.
LeBlanc Elementary gained a new teacher this year, Amy Thibodeaux, who is teaching fourth grade, Writing, Language and Social Studies and is partnered up with another teacher who will be teaching Math and Science.
Thibodeaux plans to be a supportive and loving teacher who wants to give her students not only an education but knowledge about what it means to be considerate, loving and respectful.
“I don’t support bullying” she says, “being disabled myself gives me strength, so I want to show them that I am a person that is capable of many things even though I may seem different to them.”
Thibodeaux has Cerebral Palsy. She says that growing up, her family was supportive and loving at all times, as well as her teachers. She recalls her third grade teacher, Mrs. Gautier at S.J. Montgomery giving her daily compliments, not about how she was doing academically, but how she was as a person, saying things such as ‘You have such beautiful long eyelashes’ or ‘You are so kind.’ Thibodeaux says that little things like that inspired her to do the same for children when she grew up.
Growing up with a disability could lead to many issues with self confidence and perception.
In fact, according to disabled-world.com people often experience more than four stages of adjustment to a physical disability which include, but are not limited to anxiety, depression, externalized aggression and adjustment.
Instead of thinking that she could not accomplish her dream of becoming a teacher, her disability inspired her to work diligently into changing statistics and showing other people who feel as if they cannot accomplish what they may want that it is indeed possible.
“My students, I hope, will smile when they understand my story, instead of frowning” she says, “and my first day proved just that.” On Thursday, Thibodeaux shared with her class the reason they may notice that she walks differently and assured them that it was okay for them to ask questions about it. “I feel like I was able to relate to them and that made my first day even more special.”
Along with the support of her family and teachers in grade school, she has admired many of her professors during her time at ULL. Dr. Lucy Begnaud, who is newly retired, taught Thibodeaux so many great things and credits her for being a huge part in making her a great teacher, as well as many other teachers who mentored her during her student-teaching experience at LeBlanc.
“My first day of teaching, I was so nervous” she says, “From watching someone do all of the procedures to actually doing them yourself was a small adjustment for me, an adjustment that is well worth it.”
Thibodeaux makes it clear that she wants anyone and everyone to be inspired by her story. She wants to build a foundation of great teachers, teachers who understand children, children who understand diversity and communities who welcome ‘difference.’
“I want my students to feel comfortable enough to confide in me” she says, “whether it be something personal, or just a little help with an assignment or information.”
Teachers are the gateway to success, building a strong relationship with your students, building their confidence, and seeing students helping other students is a great way to start spreading love, kindness, and making strong and capable adults, no matter what may slow them down.

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Anna Benoit Darby

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Anna Benoit Darby, 83, will be held at 3:00PM on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church with Father Buddy Breaux officiating. 
Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath on Monday, August 13, 2018 from 5:00PM until 9:00 PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM.  Visitation will resume on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 from 8 AM until the time of the services.
A native of Sunset and a resident of Erath Mrs. Darby died at 1:15 PM on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at her residence. 
She was a devote Catholic with strong faith in God and her family.  She also loved to do embroidery, crochet, quilting, working in her garden, and decorating for holidays.
She is survived by a son, Richard James Darby and Christy Romero of Erath; seven daughters, Connie Theriot and her husband Keith of Lafayette, Dianne Veronie and her husband Carl of Lafayette, Deborah LaCoste and her husband Wade LaCoste, Sr. of Erath, Nita Clement and her husband Cardell of Erath, Vicky Renard and her husband Dean of Erath, Annette Trahan and her husband Mike of Ocean Springs, MS, and Celeste Darby of Maurice; twelve grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ashton Darby; her parents, Ulysse and Nita Menard Benoit; three brothers, Hubert Benoit, Felix Benoit, and Augustine Benoit; a sister, Mary Dupont; a grandchild, Wade “Pete” LaCoste, Jr.; a great great grandchild, Anna Grace LaCoste; and her beloved pet, “Sweetie”.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Trahan, Richard Darby, Keith Theriot, Christopher LaCoste, Brandon Clement, and Sierra Cherrie.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Christy Romero, Sierra Cherrie, Jenee Creighton, Danette Delahoussaye, Fr. Buddy Breaux, and Acadian Hospice and Palliative Care.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

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Ryan Kenneth Rabalais

March 27, 1972 ~ August 11, 2018

ABBEVILLE — On Saturday, August 11, 2018, Ryan Kenneth Rabalais passed away at the age of 46 at the Heart Hospital of Lafayette, surrounded by his loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church.
He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Andre Metrejean officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Leighton Rabalais, Ashton Rabalais, Richard Rabalais, Jim Buchanan, Brett Bourque and Todd Allemand. Honorary pallbearers will be Vince Romero, Gene Guidry and Lyle Winch.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son and brother. He lived for and protected his family. To those who knew him, he was a hard working, kind, generous and loving person. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He enjoyed crawfishing with his sons, fishing and duck hunting. He loved drawing and bringing his creations to life. He was a man of many talents. He loved hard and lived hard. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him. He fought a good fight but was taken too soon.
Ryan leaves his memory to be cherished by his wife of 21 years, Jill Rabalais of Abbeville; his parents, Mr. Richard Rabalais of Lafayette; mother, Mrs. Sandra Cranche Lopez of Jennings; sons, Leighton and Ashton Rabalais; sister, Mrs. Claire (Brett) Bourque; godmother, Mrs. Paul Cranche, Jr; and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Percy and Ophelia Rabalais; maternal grandparents, Marshall and Catherine LeBourgeois Cranche; and godfather, Mr. Ray Cranche, Sr.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Monday, August 13, 2018 from 1:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Tuesday, August 14, 2018 from 8:00 AM until 10:45 AM when the procession departs for the church.
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.

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Brittany Meaux and Jodie James Bordelon, Jr.

Brittany Meaux - Jodie Bordelon, Jr. announce engagement

Jerome and Debra Meaux of Maurice are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Brittany Marie, to Jodie James Bordelon, Jr. of Hessmer. He is the son of Jodie and Charlene R. Bordelon of Hessmer.
The wedding will take place on September 21, 2018 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Maurice.
Grandparents of the future bride are Maudry Trahan Mire of Maurice and the late Joseph Mire, the late Didier Elie Meaux and the late Lardy Grabinski Meaux of Abbeville.
Brittany is a 2006 graduate of North Vermilion High School, a 2010 graduate of UL of Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Studies and a 2012 graduate of LSU with a Master of Social Work. She is employed by Hospice of Acadiana.
Grandparents of the prospective groom are Joan Laborde Bordelon and the late Rodney Bordelon of Hessmer, the late Richard Roy and the late Audrey Bordelon Roy of Hessmer.
Jodie is a 2004 graduate of LA School for Agricultural Science and a 2017 graduate of CLTCC-Alexandria with a degree in Computer Technology. He is employed with Lafayette General.

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Abbeville Meridional

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