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Volunteers clean up along State Street in Abbeville during last year’s Great
American Cleanup.
Great American Cleanup set for Saturday in Abbeville
Judges for the Louisiana Garden Club Federation’s Cleanest City Contest will be in Abbeville at some point next Tuesday.
The city won the District State title last year. A strong effort to help Abbeville go back-to-back will be made this Saturday morning.
The annual Great American Cleanup will be held this Saturday, April 8. Volunteers can meet at 9 a.m. at Abbeville City Hall. The effort here is being spearheaded by Keep Abbeville Beautiful (KAB) and the Abbeville Garden Club.
“It is imperative that we have strong participation if we are to win this title,” Cleanest City Co-Chair Sandra Creswell said. “We need you and any volunteers you can muster to join us in the Abbeville City Hall parking lot for the “kick-off” at 9 a.m.”
Instructions and directions will be given at that time. Volunteers will then go out from 9:30 a.m. until noon. A hot dog and cold drink lunch will immediately follow at the City Hall parking lot.
“Winning the Louisiana Garden Club Federation’s state Cleanest City Contest last year was exciting,” Co-Chair Liz Gremillion said, “and it would be a monumental accomplishment to repeat that honor again.”

State asking those flooded in August to take survey
BATON ROUGE – Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Office of Community Development is urging all homeowners affected by the March and August 2016 floods to take a brief survey that will be available starting on Monday, April 10.
The survey will be posted on the restore.la.gov website on that date and is the first step toward applying for recovery assistance. Homeowners who don’t have access to the internet can also have their surveys filled in over the telephone.
The survey will be available for a period of time – it does not have to be completed on the opening date.
All flood-impacted residents are asked to sign up for email updates through the Restore Louisiana website, restore.la.gov. This is the fastest way to find out information as the process opens.
On Friday, March 31, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave final approval on the state’s action plan for distributing a $1.2 billion congressional appropriation for residents impacted by both of last year’s floods. HUD also sent the grant agreement for $1.6 billion in total recovery funding.
This funding will allow the state to help flood-impacted homeowners who suffered major damage and did not have flood insurance. The first phase of this assistance will begin by helping low-to-moderate income families who are elderly or have a member living with disabilities, and who suffered major damage and did not have flood insurance.
Later phases of assistance will benefit broader groups of families.
In all cases, the first step in applying for assistance is completing the brief survey either online or over the phone. The survey will take about 15 minutes and will not require documentation. Based on their answers, potentially eligible homeowners will be invited to apply for assistance. At that point, the state will collect documentation to verify survey answers. Survey answers do not determine final eligibility for the assistance program.
The survey is important for several reasons. When homeowners make the actual application for government assistance, they become subject to federal rules that could require extra steps and more time to complete. The survey portion minimizes the number of homeowners affected by those rules, and it keeps participants moving as quickly as possible in the rebuilding assistance process.
It also gives the state more information about each homeowner’s current recovery need so the program can place homeowners into one of several phases that will be funded over time.

Brian Gerard
ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Brian Gerard, 61, will be held at 2 PM on Friday, April 7, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Milton with Fr. Joe Breaux officiating. He will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Milton, Louisiana
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Thursday, April 6, 2017 from 4:00PM until 9:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 8 AM until the time of the services.
He was taken from this world suddenly and unexpectedly after 61 years. His jokes and good humor will be missed by the family and friends that had the pleasure of knowing him.
Brian was raised by Raymond and Peggy Gerard of Abbeville, Louisiana alongside his sister Vicki and brother Bill. He later moved to Texas to raise a family with his wife Terrell. In 33 years together they traveled the world and had the refrigerator magnets to prove it… He loved his family, his friends, and appreciated the humor in life. Quick to tell a joke and even quicker to lend a hand, he was a great husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend.
He is preceded in death by his father Raymond and his brother Russell. His legacy includes three sons and three grandsons, all of which are spitting images of “Poppie”. His oldest son Brady and wife Karen are the parents of Bennett and Brayson. Brett, his second oldest, and wife Adele are the parents of Braxton. His youngest son, Brock, will soon have a family of his own.
We loved him and he loved us. He will be missed.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brett Gerard, Brady Price, Bryce Romero, Joey Babineaux, Bill Gerard, and Bennett Price.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Brock Gerard, Brayson Price, Braxton Gerard, and Jaci Babineaux.
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.

Melinda Griffin Doxey
September 4, 1963 ~ April 2, 2017
ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Melinda Kay Griffin Doxey, 53, passed away on April 2, 2017 after a courageous yearlong battle with cancer. She died peacefully at The Carpenter House surrounded by her loving family. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Gary Schexnaider officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Jason Doxey, Jacob Doxey, Barry Griffin, Drake Griffin, Kevin Griffin, and Blaine Griffin.
Born September 4, 1963, Melinda was the oldest child of Cloma Griffin. She graduated from Abbeville High School in 1981. She married her high school sweetheart, Dwayne Doxey on September 24,1981. Melinda and Dwayne were residents of Scott, La where they raised their two sons. They later settled in Rayne, La.
Melinda leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 35 years, Dwayne Doxey; two sons, Jason Doxey and wife Michelle Doxey of Washington, La, and Jacob Doxey and wife Jessica Doxey of Scott, La; three brothers, Barry Griffin, Kevin Griffin, and Blaine Griffin; as well as the light of her life, her grandson Zayne Doxey, son of Jason and Michelle.
Melinda was preceded in death by her beloved mother and best friend, Cloma Griffin.
The Doxey family would like to extend a special thanks to her loving caregivers, Linda Lightfoot and Patty Cormier for their compassion, dedication, and friendship to Melinda this past year.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 3:30 PM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM led by Sister Uyen Vu; Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 8:00 AM until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Miles Perret Center, 2130 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA 70508.
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.

Earline Marie Dore
November 3, 1933 ~ April 2, 2017
ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Earline Marie Dore, 83, who died Sunday, April 2, 2017 at her residence.
She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Louis Richard officiating the services.
She is survived by her son, Kevin Broussard and his companion Lynn; daughters, Cathy Henderson, Darlene Loftin and Cindy Quebedeaux and her companion Jeffery; grandchildren, Tanner Broussard, Jordan Broussard, Travis Loftin, Monique Loftin, Daniel Quebedeaux, Treva Guy, Raina Henderson, Vicki Moore, Johnny Lassiter, Amber Lassiter, Mariah Lassiter, Kacie Landry, Blake Landry and Zack Overstreet; and 21 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Oleus Dore and the former Lucy Bourque; brother, Ban Delahoussaye; sisters, Blondie Delahoussaye, Lucy Nell Michaud and Lucille Richard; and son-in-law, Vic Henderson.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Monday, April 3, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 8:00 AM until 1:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
The family would like to thank the staff of Heart of Hospice and Brittany Clostio for the care and support they provided in their time of need.
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.

Kimberly Sue Grau Garrett
April 20, 1965 ~ March 31, 2017
ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Kimberly Sue Grau Garrett, 51, who died Friday, March 31, 2017.
She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Steve Delino officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Zailen Guillotte, Derrian Harrison, Kendell Landry, Zachary Womack, Aubrey Womack and Kaleb Guidry.
She is survived by her husband, Brealand Garrett; son, Connor Garrett; step-son, Cole Garrett; brother; Dwayne Grau; and sisters, Vicky Knopf, Elaine West and Debbie Hussey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Barney Grau and the former Norma Collins; brother, Barney Grau; and sister, Robyn Kemp.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Monday, April 3, 2017 from 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM; Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 8:00 AM until time of the services.
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.

Goldie Menard Meaux
October 9, 1935 ~ March 29, 2017
KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial were held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 3, 2017 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Goldie Menard Meaux, 81, who died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Maison duMonde Living Center. She was laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services.
She is survived by her son, Kerry LeBlanc of San Antonio, TX; two daughters, Becky LeBlanc of Abbeville and Mona LeBlanc of Maurice; four grandchildren, Shawn LeBlanc, Rob Bares, Cade Perry, and Kastan LeBlanc; and seven great grandchildren, Julia, Emily, Lauren, Colin, Hadley, Saoirse, and Aubrey.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy Meaux; and her parents, Elier Menard and the former Evie Campbell.
All funeral arrangements were conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Meaux family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

Annie Romero Gisclair
NEW IBERIA — A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Annie Romero Gisclair, 89, who passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Jeanerette.
Entombment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.
A gathering of family and friends will be Monday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A rosary, led by the Men’s Rosary Group, will be prayed at 7:00 PM Monday. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM.
A native of Erath and a lifelong area resident, Mrs. Gisclair was born on March 8, 1928 to the late Aurelie and Melasie Guillotte Romero. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and her hobbies included cooking and sewing. Mrs. Gisclair especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Survivors include her sons, Paul Gisclair and wife Anastasia of New Iberia, Charles Gisclair and wife Mary Kay of Coteau; daughter, Maxine Gisclair Worsham and husband Dennis of New Iberia; grandchildren, Andrew Gisclair, Matthew Worsham and spouse Tayler, Timothy Worsham, Alex Gisclair, Blake Gisclair, Scott Worsham, Sarah Worsham; and 6 great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Maxie Gisclair; brothers, Edmar Romero, Edias Romero, Joseph “Joe” Romero, Antoine Romero; and a grandson, Michael Worsham.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Gisclair, Alex Gisclair, Matthew Worsham, Timothy Worsham, Blake Gisclair, and Charles Gisclair.
Honorary pallbearers include Scott Girouard, Shelton Romero, Weston Romero, Ed Romero, Jimmy Romero, and Billy Romero.
The family would like to give special thanks to her caregivers, Eva Rollins, Janet August, Carolyn Francis, and her special friend Claudia Bienvenu.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or to Catholic High School, 1301 DeLaSalle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560.
To view on-line obituary, sign guest book, and view video tribute, please go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com
Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331 is in charge of arrangements.

Elray “T-Ray” Lege
March 31, 1947 - March 31, 2017
KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Elray “T-Ray” Lege, 70, who died Friday, March 31, 2017 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at Mire Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Brenda M. Lege; two sons, Brud Lege and his wife, Christine and Tyler Lege and his wife, Mimi; two daughters, Shantell Lege and Bridgette and her husband, Shaine Stelly; three sisters, Beverly Gisclair, Myrtis Trahan, Verna Delahoussaye, and Sidonnia Primeaux; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eustis Lege and the former Louise Chevalier; his brothers, Joe Lege, Ernest Lege, and Dallas Lege; and one grandchild, Brooke Suire Bodin.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Monday, April 3, 2017 from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 8:00 AM until services.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan. Condolences may be sent to the Lege family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

