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October 24, 1960 - September 29, 2017

A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; Ecc 3:2

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held honoring the life of Cleveland Plowden, III on Saturday October 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Pastor E. I. Sullivan officiating the services.
On September 29, 2017 at 6:27 AM an angel of the Lord came to free Bro. Cleveland Plowden III from this world’s challenges.
Cleveland was born to the late Cleveland Plowden, Jr. and Mrs. Sylvia Andrus Brown on October 24, 1960 at the Crowley American Legion Hospital in Crowley, LA. He was baptized at an early age at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church.
He attended elementary and junior high school in Abbeville, LA. He also attended Henry High School where he graduated in 1978.
Down through the years he remained faithful to God and the church, where he participated in the adult choir, male chorus and he served on the Deacon Board. Cleve used his God given gifts to sing for funerals, weddings and family gatherings.
He was employed by the Vermilion Parish Policy Jury for 20 years and for 12 years until his passing he was employed with Otto Hebert Lumber Company in Delcambre, LA.
Cleve had a real passion for wrestling, and football. He was a die-hard Saints fan! Who Dat Nation!
Whenever you were around Cleve you knew you were in store for some good laughter. “Forever Clever”, “Paco”, “Lil Cleve”, “Dirt” and “Black”; just to name a few of his nicknames lived to make people laugh and smile. It was never a dull moment around him.
He leaves to cherish his fond memories his wife, Linda Romero Plowden; three daughters, Amekia Hall of Kaplan, Keandra Plowden of Abbeville, and Chasity (Cody) Vice of Erath; two sons, Cleveland Markelle Plowden of Abbeville, and Jordan Coleman of Fenton; mother, Sylvia Andrus Brown (Peter) of Jennings; brothers, Garman (Shelia) Plowden, Marc (Yolanda) Plowden, Michael (Ann) Bessard, Roderick Bessard, and Yourick Levine, all of Abbeville, and Warren Plowden of Spokane, WA; sisters, Essie (Mitchell) Livings, Erica (Allen) Small, Denise Demouchet, Tracy Bessard, Myra Bessard all of Abbeville, Dawnette (Shawn) Black of New Iberia, and Dakeesha Levine of Baton Rouge; Godparents, Lloyd Huntly and Shirley Bernard; Godchildren, Natalie Bernard, Nikkia Leblanc and Kelly Coleman, Jr.; eight grandchildren, Khilynn, Kiersten, Natalie, Demitri, Grant, Bryson, Michael and Jordan, Jr.; two adoptive daughters, Shannon Duhon and Shelly Benoit; six adoptive grandchildren; best friend, Charles Dozier; aunts, Christa Belle Andrus, Kathleen (Cal) Wilson, Shirley (Gerald) Bernard, Annie Fusilier, Beverly ( Joseph) Butcher and Patricia Plowden; uncles Frank Andrus, Sr. (Lillian) and Glen Plowden, Sr. (Lucy); brothers and sisters-in-law, Wilbert (Marie) Romero, Dennis (Thelma) Romero, Bradley (Ann) Romero, Maudrey (Otis) Istre, and Audrey (Kevin) Cormier; and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Cleveland was preceded by his maternal grandparents, Alfred Andrus, Sr. and Essie Mae Andrus; paternal grandparents, Cleveland Plowden, Sr. and Nona Nolan Plowden; father, Cleveland Plowden, Jr.; brother, Dwayne Bessard; son, Bryce Romero; maternal uncles, Alfred Andrus, Jr., Jessie Andrus, Sr., Daniel Andrus, Sr., Warren Andrus, Sr., Percy Andrus, Sr., and John Lee Andrus; paternal uncle and aunts, Jeffrey Plowden, Mammie Grant, Etheline Hill, and Gwendolyn Plowden; niece, Asia Plowden; and great-nephew, Ahmad C. Broussard.
Active pallbearers Allen Small, Lawrence Rochelle, Jr., Keith Campbell, Michael Bessard, Yourick Levine and Robert Perry. Honorary pallbearers Cleveland Markelle Plowden, Garman Plowden, Roderick Bessard, Lloyd Huntly, Ray Thomas, Marc Plowden, Glen Plowden, Sr., Tarell Wright, Otis Istre, Charles Dozier, Mt. Triumph Baptist Church Deacons and Male Chorus.
The family requests visiting hours be observed at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church on Friday October 6, 2017 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM; Saturday October 7, 2017 from 8:00 Am until time of services.
On behalf of the entire Plowden family we would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Acadian Ambulance Services for their diligent performances, Pastor Sullivan and the Mt. Triumph Baptist Church. Family and everyone who visited, called, prayed or showed any act of kindness. We sincerely thank you and God Bless.

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana has been selected to receive a $55.5 million Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL) grant to improve the reading and writing skills of struggling students, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Louisiana is one of 11 states selected to benefit from the federal grant, and the only state to receive it three consecutive times.
The grant, which will award the state $18.5 million each year for three years, will focus on advancing literacy skills--including pre-literacy, reading, and writing skills--for students from birth through grade 12, including limited-English-proficient students and students with disabilities.
"Louisiana's children are as smart and as capable as any in America, and as a state, we have worked together to prepare them to meet high expectations," said State Superintendent John White, noting no other state made better progress in fourth grade reading on the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress. "Yet many Louisiana children struggle to read before fourth grade. Half enter kindergarten ready; by fourth grade, just 36 percent read and write on grade level. This grant will accelerate our progress by providing students and families with a strong foundation based in research, and supporting a cadre of reading and writing educator experts across the state."
The grant funds will be used to create competitive subgrants for Louisiana school systems. School systems will be asked to submit applications for these subgrants, and will be awarded funds based on the strength of their proposed literacy plans. The awarded funds will enable school systems to:
• Purchase high-quality curricula aligned with the state standards;
• Administer meaningful assessments and use real-time data to meet the needs of all students;
• Accelerate the learning of all students reading below grade level through targeted intervention programs; and
• Provide professional development to support effective teaching practices.
"Any educational endeavor which brings much-needed awareness, resources, and professional learning around childhood literacy is welcome," said Dr. Cade Brumley, DeSoto Parish School System Superintendent and President of the Louisiana Superintendents Association. "It's a wise move for educators to focus efforts on this requisite building block for not only success in school but, more importantly, for success as a contributing adult member of society down the road."
The most recent SRCL grant builds on the success of the same grants received in 2009 and again in 2011. Those previous awards helped Louisiana create K-12 English Language Arts Guidebooks, a nationally recognized, free curriculum with daily lessons for reading and writing; build and expand a Teacher Leaders program, a statewide cadre of highly effective educators with a track record of improved student outcomes to provide training and model strategies for their peers; and conduct a full-scale rigorous review of 75 commercial reading curricula to make it easier for school systems to select and purchase high-quality curricula.
Louisiana is the only state to successfully compete for the federal grant all three times it has been available.
"This is great news for schools across Louisiana," said Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA.). "This grant will significantly help children in Louisiana by giving them the tools to develop advanced reading and writing skills that can be used years from now."
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) agreed, saying, "The ability to read is crucial to a young student's eventual success. Funding literacy programs like these and taking other legislative action, which includes addressing dyslexia, will help students reach their full potential."
Moving forward, the Department plans to release a subgrant application later this month, with a deadline set for mid-November. Following an independent review of submitted applications, the Department will send recommendations to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval, and awards will be announced in December.

July 1, 1989 ~ October 2, 2017

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Erath, Louisiana honoring the life of Jeremiah James Broussard, 28, who died Monday, October 2, 2017. Jeremiah will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Erath, Louisiana with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating the services. Pallbearers include JD Ganze, brother in law, Ryan Toups, brother in law, Nino Hernandez, friend, Casey Simon, friend, Trey D’Augereau, friend and Slayte Nugier, cousin. Honorary pallbearers include Jeremiah’s nephews, John David Ganze, IV, Coy Toups, Cameron Toups and Will Gardiner; and friends, Bennett Lemaire and Donovan Guidry and Nolan Suire.
Jeremiah James Broussard, born on July 1, 1989, and was granted angel wings on his path to Heaven on October 2, 2017. Though Jeremiah’s life ended soon, he touched so many in his days. He had a loving and unselfish personality that could light up the darkest room. His gentle smile could melt the hearts of those around him. Jeremiah was an avid hunter, he enjoyed music, baseball and football, but mostly Jeremiah was a family man who adored his family and friends. May the Lord wrap his arms around Jeremiah with the love of his kingdom!
With Jeremiah’s passing we remind others that his life is one to be celebrated. Although we will miss him every day, especially his contagious smile, he will forever remain in our hearts. We were able to create wonderful memories and we are so thankful for Jeremiah’s gentle and loving spirit.
Jeremiah is survived by his parents, Christopher and Lisa Labit Broussard of Abbeville, Louisiana; sisters, Rhani Broussard Ganze and Andrea Broussard Toups; brother, Justin Delcambre; brothers by love JD Ganze and Ryan Toups; nephews, John David Ganze, IV, Coy Toups, Cameron Toups and Will Gardiner; niece and Godchild, Olivia Ganze and niece, Bailey Toups; Godsons, Mason Simon and Owen D’Augereau; paternal grandmother, Marietta Harrington of Abbeville, Louisiana; maternal grandmother, Shirley Labit of Abbeville, Louisiana; also several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Harold “T-Beb” Broussard (who played a role in Bellzaire the Cajun); great-grandfather Lubria; great-great grandfather Aristide; maternal grandfather, Theo “Gerald” Labit; paternal uncle, Eric Bourque; maternal uncle, Greg Labit; and maternal cousin, Clay Allen Durke.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Thursday, October 5, 2017 from 8:00 AM until 12:30 PM 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.

Shortly after 2:30 pm on October 2, 2017, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single vehicle fatal crash on LA 696 at its intersection with US 167 north of Abbeville. The crash claimed the life 28 year old Jeremiah Broussard, who went to school in Erath.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Broussard was operating a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on LA 696. For unknown reasons, Broussard failed to stop at the intersection with US 167 and traveled across the south and northbound lanes of travel. Broussard’s vehicle ran off of the roadway into a dry coulee, and collided with an embankment.

Broussard was not wearing a seat belt and sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Broussard was pronounced dead on scene by the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office. It is unknown if impairment was a factor in the crash. Standard toxicology samples were obtained from Broussard and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that all occupants of a motor vehicle must be restrained, regardless of age or seating position. While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that the chances of surviving a crash rise significantly when properly restrained. It is important that caregivers ensure children are properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt anytime they are traveling in a vehicle. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.