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September 30, 1948 - April 25, 2026

A memorial service will be held at 9:00 AM, Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Fellowship church of Prairieville with service lasting until 11:00 AM., honoring the life of Shafter "Sonny" Leon Derveloy, who passed away on April 25th, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Sonny was born on September 30, 1948, in Lake Charles, Louisiana to the late Shafter "Leon" Derveloy Jr and Floy Richey Derveloy. He moved to Abbeville with his parents and brother and called Abbeville home for over 30 years. He took great pride in his work in the pipeline industry and loved what he did, only retiring when absolutely necessary.
Sonny found great joy in the outdoors. He loved hunting white tail deer and fishing whenever he could find the time. His favorite place to be was at "the camp" with his hunting buddies. He never met a stranger or turned down a hot cup of coffee. He enjoyed watching LSU sports and reading his morning Advocate paper. Sonny had a special bond with all animals but especially his tea cup chihuahua, “Bum”. He treasured the many friendships he built over the years, including close friends Rickey, Luke, "Lil Sonny" and his very best friend, the late Vick Henderson.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Patti Johnson Derveloy of Geismar, his brother Kenneth Derveloy (Gretchen) of Egan and nine loving daughters;
Angel Derveloy Perkins (Shawn) of Fairfield, Ohio, Tisha Derveloy White (Bob) of Sunshine, Nichole Derveloy Gunter (Pete) of Walker, Brandie Bobo Stelly (Chet) of Lafayette, Brooke Derveloy Breaux (Julian) of Walker, Allison Derveloy Sanders of Kaplan, Megan Gautreau St Pierre (Chris) of Geismar, Hali Gautreau Sanchez (Joel) of Geismar, and Gerrie Gautreau of Geismar.
Sonny was also a cherished grandfather to 22 grandchildren: Allen (Juliana), Mistie, Sidney, Seth, Blaz, Memori, Kennedy, Cooper, Parker, Aspen, Hunter, Alex, Corey, Bentley, Max, Nichole, Michael, Jason, Lauren, Raegan, and Liam; and one great-grandchild, Magnolia Therese White.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his hospice nurses Kelli, Tab, and Tricia for the compassionate care that they provided.
The family kindly asks that flowers be sent to Fellowship Church of Prairieville.
Sonny will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Many in the Abbeville community will join millions across the country this Thursday as they take part in the annual National Day of Prayer.
This year’s local event will begin at noon at the Vermilion Parish Courthouse in downtown Abbeville.
“Every year we are given an opportunity to pray over our nation, state, parish, and city,” said Chris Theall, pastor of New Life Church in Abbeville. “The purpose of this event is to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. With the purpose of praying over our own community here in South Louisiana. Our focus of prayer will be on our city officials, law enforcement, firefighters & first responders, our schools, families, and churches. Along with our Nation, State, Parish, and City.
“Please come and join us as we push back the darkness and stand together as one.”

Reaching a milestone takes discipline and determination.
Three avid readers in Vermilion Parish displayed those traits this year, each reading more than 5 million words.
During the school board meeting on April 23, the Vermilion Parish School System recognized the top readers in the parish. That list includes:
• 1st Place (5,535,080 words) - Hadley Dumond, Forked Island E. Broussard
• 2nd Place (5,406,661 words) - Graecyn Diz, Cecil Picard Elementary School
• 3rd Place (5,189,256 words) - Valerie Schexnider, Erath Eiddle School
• 4th Place (4,540,387 words) - Isabella Breaux, North Vermilion Middle School
• 5th Place (4,172,642 words) - Julien Leger, Erath Middle School
“These students reached one million words,” Assistant Superintendent Kim Etie said, “and they just kept reading.
“This is a significant achievement.”
Dumond, who has read a previous best two million words, is proud of her new heights.
“It feels really rewarding to have reached 5 million words,” Dumond said. “It took a lot of time and dedication, but I enjoyed the process. I didn’t start with a specific number in mind. I just wanted to read as much as I could; it became a goal to be the top reader at my school, and I’m proud that my hard work paid off.”
Diz, who also read a previous best of two million words, shares that sense of accomplishment.
“Reading over five million words is a satisfying feeling,” Diz said. “It has made me feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.”
Etie set out with her own goal for the year: to increase the Million Word Reader initiative in the parish. Last year, the school system recognized 50 students who reached that number or more. Etie happily announced big strides for this school year.
“The schools really stepped up this year,” Etie said. “With the schools and librarians pushing it, we are celebrating 73 kids in our district.
“I am excited about that.”
She made a point of reference to what reading a million words really looks like.
“All seven ‘Harry Potter’ books together are 1.1 million words,” Etie said. “That gives you a baseline. To read this many words is significant.”
For Diz, it’s not a chore.
“Reading is something I truly enjoy,” Diz said. “I typically read during all of my free time. My mom inspired me to become an avid reader. We love going to bookstores together.
Diz’s favorite books are from the “Wings of Fire” series by Tui T. Sutherland.
“That is the series that really started my journey with reading for enjoyment,” Diz said.
Dumond’s favorites are “The Hunger Games” and the “Twilight” series.
“Both series kept me interested and made it hard to put the books down,” Dumond said.
Like Diz, Dumond doesn’t find it difficult to pick up a book in the first place. That zest for reading mirrors other aspects of her life.
“I’ve always been very dedicated to my schoolwork,” Dumond said. “I’ve had perfect attendance for multiple years and was honored to be named Student of the Year at my school.
“I think that the same commitment shows in my reading habits because I make sure to use my time wisely and keep learning whenever I can.”

MICROWAVE MORSELS

COOSH COOSH A LA MICROWAVE
From the kitchen of Anna Langlinais
INGREDIENTS
-3 cups cornmeal, your favorite of yellow, white or stone-ground
-1 1/2 tsp salt
-1 2/3 cup water
-2 tbsp vegetable oil
-1 tsp baking powder
MISE EN PLACE
-Mix together the water and the oil in a small bowl.
-Combine the cornmeal, salt, baking powder, plus water and oil in a 2 quart round glass casserole.
-Cover.
-Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
-Stir well.
-Microwave again for 6 more minutes.
-Stir well before serving.
Eat as a cereal with milk and added figs, sugar, cane syrup, coffee, bacon, or cracklings. Some even add peanut butter.
My mom always made a fresh pot of coffee for my dad’s bowl of Coosh Coosh.
What is your favorite?
I like mine plain with warm milk.

CINDY’S HOT ARTICHOKE DIP
Ready in minutes
Use as a side dish
INGREDIENTS
-1 can artichoke hearts
-1 cup grated Parmesan*, fresh not canned
-1 cup mayonnaise
-Seasoning, to your taste
-Frito Scoops or pita chips
MISE EN PLACE
-Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl.
-Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
-Transfer to attractive bowl.
-Serve with Frito Scoops or your chip or cracker of choice.
*1 block softened cream cheese can be substituted for Parmesan.

MICROWAVE CHOCOLATE CAKE
A whole cake
TOPPING
-1 1/2 cups hot water
-1 cup packed dark brown sugar
-1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-1/4 cup salted butter, cubed
CAKE
-1 cup flour
-1 cup white sugar
-1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-1 1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp kosher salt
-1/2 tsp instant espresso powder*
-1 cup milk
-1 tsp vanilla flavoring
-1 cup vanilla ice cream, or to taste
MISE EN PLACE
-For topping, combine hot water, brown sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
-Microwave on high until bubbly, about 4 minutes.
-For cake, whisk together flour, white sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, and instant espresso powder in a 2-quart round casserole dish.
-Add milk and vanilla.
-Whisk until smooth.
-Pour topping over cake batter.
-Don’t mix. They will flow together.
-Microwave on high until cake is on top of the topping sauce, 8 to 10 minutes.
-Serve warm topped with vanilla ice cream.
You can, of course, use any flavor of ice cream you like. Chocolate over chocolate is a chocoholic’s dream.
*A substitute for espresso powder would be 3/4 tsp instant coffee powder.

ICE CREAM BREAD
Easy and quick
INGREDIENTS
-1 pint (2cups) ice cream, softened
-1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
MISE EN PLACE
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Grease and flour an 8”x4” loaf pan.
-Stir together ice cream and flour, stirring just until flour is moistened.
-Pour into prepared pan.
-Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
-Remove from pan.
-Cool on a wire rack.
Pop it in the oven while preparing supper for a great dessert.
Serve with coffee for a morning or afternoon treat. Toast a few slices for breakfast and serve with butter and jelly.
Choose your favorite flavor ice cream. Make sure to use standard ice cream. Do not use sugar-free or reduced-sugar ice cream; you will not get best results.
The ice cream should be softened before using. Let it sit on counter until softened and mix it to be sure all lumps are gone before mixing with flour.
Store in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It should be good at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, cut into slices and freeze.
Cover tightly in plastic wrap and wrap in foil before freezing for up to 3 months.
SUGGESTIONS
-Sliced strawberries folded into strawberry ice cream
-Chocolate ice cream with chocolate chunks or chips
-Chopped Oreos in cookies and cream ice cream.
-Chopped Oreos in any flavor ice cream
-Candy bars in peanut butter ice cream
-Any of your favorites in vanilla ice cream
-An added glaze or chocolate ganache will impress company that will think it took hours to prepare.
I think I will try chopped strawberries, banana slices, and chocolate chips in vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup drizzled over just before serving to create a banana split.
One reminder: Do not use any liquid-based add-ins, which could affect the texture of the final product. I had the idea of adding almond flavoring but realized it would be a mistake.
There are so many different flavored chips that will allow you to find a unique blend of your own: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, and several more.
ICE CREAM ON ICE CREAM BREAD
For an easy way to accentuate the flavor of plain ice cream, toast a slice of ice cream bread, dust it with confectioners sugar, and top with a scoop of ice cream.
SELF-RISING FLOUR
If you don’t usually use self-rising flour, it’s easy to make with ingredients you do have.
Whisk together
-1 cup all-purpose flour
-1 1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/4 tsp salt
This mixture is perfect self-rising flour that can be used in any recipe that calls for self-rising flour.

Monday was Vermilion Night at the Pentagon Barracks adjacent from the Capital Building. Many travel from our parish to visit with each other and with our elected officials. Ryan Bourriaque, Troy Hebert, Bob Hensgens, and our son Jacob Landry were all there milling through the crowd to say hello and answer questions.
Louisiana Clerks of Court were there for an annual outing to visit with state officials of each parish. Diane Meaux Broussard was there with the clerks, as were many other Vermillion parish officials. Gabe Marceaux, our assessor, Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, District Attorney Don Landry, Abbeville Mayor Roz White, Kaplan Mayor Mike Kloesel, and several police jurors, school board members, and city council members. What a wealth of information available! I quizzed a few.
People started gathering around 5:00 p.m. and were there until dark. The food was Cajun cooking at its best. Crawfish Fettuccini, Pork roast with rice and gravy, and corn along with fig loaf, pecan pie, and bread pudding all originated in Vermilion Parish.
Early in the afternoon Boo took a walk to the Capitol to check on Jacob while the House was in session. With a little scrap of time, Jacob stood and introduced his dad, thanked him, and at the end Jacob said, “I just hope I look like he does when I’m 77!”
Now that’s a politician! And a pleased Boo!

When you read this, we will probably know which of our area baseball teams will have triumphed in the quarter finals to go on to the semifinals. V C, Delcambre High, and Erath High School (with our grandson, Jack Landry in right field) all deserve good luck and can capitalize on their skill to walk away with victories.