Thomas Poché set a goal for himself after his freshmen year at Abbeville High.
He would add something to his plate each year, a new challenge.
“I was just in band,” Poché said. “I wanted to do more.”
During this sophomore year he began playing tennis. He took up chorus during his junior year. Poché, who all the while maintained a 4.0 GPA, said he wanted to end up as a well-rounded student by the time he became a senior.
That has worked, not only for his personal mission, but it has helped Poché become the top student in the area. The Vermilion Parish School District recently announced Poché as the Vermilion Parish High School Student of the Year.
“It feels good,” Poché said. “I definitely feel a sense of accomplishment.”
Poché, the son of Guy and Marybeth, is a part of the Abbeville High band and chorus. He is a member of the Beta Club and represented Abbeville High at Boy’s State. His grades and extra curricular activities put him in good company among his peers throughout the parish. With so many great students vying for this award, what put Poché over the top?
“I try to be as involved as I physically can,” Poché said of what he thinks is one reason.
Another reason is that Poché, who reached Eagle Scout, said he doesn’t view anything as an obstacle.
“A lot of people get discouraged when things don’t seem to work out,” Poché said. “I don’t really get discouraged. It makes me want to do better.
“It’s an incentive and I’ve got to keep going for it.”
Abbeville High Principal Lyndelle Theriot said Poché’s venture into chorus is a perfect example.
“He didn’t join chorus until last year,” Theriot said. “He practiced every day at lunch.”
“He made All-State Chorus.”
Theriot said she is not the least bit surprised with Poché’s success.
“He is really an outstanding young man,” Theriot said. “We are really going to miss him when he leaves Abbeville High.”
When that does happen, Poché’s plan is to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he will focus on civil engineering.
“I like the idea of building something and it being there after me,” Poché said. “I can take ownership of it.”
Poché already owns one Student of the Year honor. He will be in Opelousas on Thursday as he attempts to go for the top honor in the state.
“I’ve been so busy I haven’t really thought too much about it,” Poché said. “I just had a really big history test (for dual enrollment). Now I have some time to focus on it.”
His plan for the interview process is pretty simple, be himself.
“I am going to go in and be real,” Poché said. “You don’t want to try to be something that you are not.”

By Devon Sanders, LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE — The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved creating a new website to make state spending more transparent despite concerns by the Edwards administration over the more than $700,000 cost.
The new website, called the Louisiana Checkbook, would be modeled on Ohio’s top-rated site, ohiocheckbook.com, and designed by OpenGov, a California-based company that created the Ohio site.
House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, had proposed the website in recent talks with Gov. John Bel
Edwards over closing a projected $1 billion gap, and Republican lawmakers have gotten behind the idea in hopes that greater transparency would help the state save money over time.
Jay Dardenne, the governor’s commissioner of administration, said he was “100 percent committed to transparency.” But he questioned why the state could not just improve its current spending website, LaTrac, and if a third-party vendor was necessary.
Dardenne also defended LaTrac, saying that the website had “already gotten the attaboy” and was nationally admired.
A non-profit group, United States Public Interest Group, ranked ohiocheckbook.com as the best state transparency in 2016 and LaTrac as the seventh best.
Barras also commended LaTrac at the committee meeting on Tuesday but said a new site could meet today’s technology standards. “I give kudos to the effort on LaTrac,” Barras said. “But with advanced technology, we are able to do more.”
Barras also said that with the new website, spending data would be more searchable, visually appealing and interactive and would incorporate more information than LaTrac.
Barras even pulled up the Ohio website to show committee members, exclaiming “truly incredible” as he scrolled through it.
Barras also spoke about the importance of using outside experts to create the site.
Rep. Blake Miguez, R-Erath, asked about including local spending data on the new website, and Barras said he could see it becoming a reality in the future.
Dardenne, who is in charge of running LaTrac and would have the responsibility of maintaining the Louisiana Checkbook, questioned if a third-party vendor was worth the cost. One state analysis estimated that the new website could cost the state technology office from $716,000 to $785,000 over three years and that other agencies would face their own costs to link to it.
He also argued that the main problem with Louisiana’s transparency was not with LaTrac, but with LaGov, the current computer operating system that if used correctly would allow every department to give accurate information on spending.
Although the Louisiana Legislature had allocated $90 million under the Jindal administration to create LaTrac and get all departments on LaGov, only six of the 26 departments use the operating system.
“If every department was under LaGov,“ Dardenne said, “we would have the information we are all looking for.”
Dardenne blamed the Jindal administration for failing to make it a priority to get the other agencies on LaGov.
Dardenne acknowledged that LaTrac’s usability could be improved, but he did not feel that a whole new website was the best solution. “LaTrac needs a facelift,” He said. “The question is: Should we stick to what we have or create a whole new website?”

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial for Viola S. Benoit,79, will be 12:00PM Saturday February 24, 2018 at St. Mary Magdelen Catholic Church with Father Michael Richard officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will be in David Funeral Home of Abbeville Saturday February 24, 2018 from 9:00AM until service time.
Viola, passed away Thursday February 15, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. She was a member of St. Mary Magdelen Catholic Church. She loved to sew and play piano.
She is survived by her children; Nelson Landry and wife Deanna of New Iberia, Linda Nunez and husband Spencer of Abbeville, Beulah Cooper of Baton Rouge, Caroline Mitchell and husband Kenvern of Abbeville, Joseph Shane Landry of Baldwin, Sharon Batiste and husband Murphy of Gonzales, and Elson Landry of Abbeville; 18 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Dalton and Beulah Moore Stewart; her husband Joseph Benoit; a grandson Nelson Landry Jr.; sisters Agnes Washington and Sylvia Lee Freeman; brothers Dalton Stewart Jr. and Phillip Stewart.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements 2600 Charity St. Abbeville, LA 70510 (337) 893-3777.

July 15, 1928 - February 19, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Home-going Celebration will be held for Mrs. Ada L. Bessard, 89 the former Ada Levine at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Mount Triumph Baptist Church with Bishop Raymond Captville, officiating.
She will await the resurrection in Saint Paul Cemetery in Abbeville, LA.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at 4:00-9:00 P.M. Friday, February 23, 2018 at Greater Rose Hill Baptist Church in Abbeville, LA.
Visitation will resume on Saturday at Mount Triumph Baptist Church 8:00 A.M until time of funeral service.
A native and resident of Abbeville, LA, she passed at 7:52 A.M. Monday, February 19, 2018 surrounded by her family.
She was a faithful member of Greater Rose Hill Baptist Church where she served as President of the Mission Department, Deaconess and Mother of the Church.
She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving daughter, Willia Dean Bessard of Abbeville, LA; two grandchildren, Anthony Reco Bessard and Jerome Blair Bessard both of Abbeville, LA; five great-grandchildren, Adriana Bessard, A’Layiah Bessard, A’myri Bessard, Janya Bessard and Jada Bessard; one sister, Lucille, L. Williams (Norman, Sr.); daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann L. Bessard of Abbeville, LA; a niece she loved like a daughter, Viola Sonnier of Abbeville, LA and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Alpha Bessard; parents, Howard Levine, Sr. and Rozena Plowden Levine; one son, Wilton Bessard; five sisters, Neda L. Brailey, Stella L. Collins, Lizzie L. Levy, Lilly L. Sonnier and Alice L. Captville; eight brothers, Howard, Levine, Jr., Hebert Levine, Sr., George Levine, Sr., Eddie Levine, Jimmy Levine, Roy Levine, James Levine and William Levine.
Active pallbearers are Anthony R. Bessard, Brent Bessard, Jay Captville, Charles Dozier, Carl LeDoux and Enrick Maze.
Honorary pallbearers are Jerome Bessard, Marion Bessard, Alex Brailey, Sr., Lenwood Collins, Sterling Johnson, Norman Williams, Sr., Norman Williams, Jr., Alton Levine, Sr., Dallas Levine, Dalton Levine, Sr., Lennis Levine, Louis Levine, Sr. and Walter Levine, Sr.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Home 1116 Greene Street Abbeville, LA 70510.
Condolences may be expressed at www.fletcherfuneralhomes.org.

September 1, 1958 ~ February 23, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A visitation will be held on Monday, February 26, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Haywood Anthony East, 59, who died Friday, February 23, 2018 at Jennings American Legion Hospital.
Tony is survived by his wife, Casa Vice East; daughter, Lauren East Choate; father, Juris East; brothers, Jerry East, Joey East, Kobe East, Billy East and Alex Broussard, Jr.; and two grandchildren, Ayden Jude Choate and Leo Alexander Choate.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Compton; and son, Joshua East.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Monday, February 26, 2018 from 12:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM.
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.

September 15, 1949 ~ January 17, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A memorial service will be held at 5:00 PM on Monday, February 26, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville honoring the life of Charles Larry Guidry, 68, who died Wednesday, January 17, 2018 in Katy, TX. Deacon Francis Cao will officiate the service.
Charles was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all. He will be remembered as a happy-go-lucky guy. He was employed as a mud engineer with Baroid/Halliburton Energy Services for over 30 years before retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Hashmeen Guidry; two sons, Charlie Guidry and Gail Broussard of Maurice, and Todd Guidry and his wife Courtney of Maurice; step-son, Riad KoonKoon of Trinidad; step-daughter, Sherry Boodoo of Trinidad; brother, David Guidry and his wife Renella of Meaux; sister, Peggy Hardy and her husband Leo of Maurice; grandchildren, Nicole Guidry, Chase Guidry, Carly Guidry and Caiden Guidry; and Bryce Meaux and Keira Meaux whom he considered his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Revis and Ozite Guidry; sons, Corey and Chad Guidry; and nephew, Ryan Hardy.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Monday, February 26, 2018 from 2:30 PM until time of service.
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.

March 6, 1926 ~ February 22, 2018

COW ISLAND — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at St. Anne Catholic Church honoring the life of Hazel Faulk Stelly, 91, who passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Kaplan Healthcare Center. She will be laid to rest at Immaculate Conception Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Barzare officiating the services.
She is survived by her son, Harris Stelly and his wife, Marsha of Kaplan; one daughter, Bonnie S. Hollier of Forked Island; one sister, Mildred F. Landry of Kaplan; one brother, Ray Faulk and his wife, Nelda of Kaplan; seven grandchildren, Chris Hollier, Brian Hollier, Dwayne Hollier, Gage Stelly, Mindy Dalebout, Travis Stelly, and Nicholas Stelly; eleven great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carnes “T.T.” Stelly; one son, Tommy Stelly; her parents, Adam Faulk and the former Enix Hebert; one brother, Harris Faulk; one grandson, Brent Hollier; and one great-great granddaughter, Zoey Reyes.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Saturday, February 24, 2018 from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 6:00 PM; Sunday, February 25, 2018 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for the church.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Stelly family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

By Matt Houston and Drew White
LSU Manship School News Service

BATON ROUGE – As the second week of the 17-day special legislative session begins, House committees on Sunday broke a stalemate, at least temporarily, and approved bills that could help the state avoid major budget cuts when $1 billion of temporary taxes expire this summer.
Several Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee voted with Democrats to move some of the bills to the floor, where they are likely to face another contentious debate.
The committee voted 12-5 to move a bill by Rep. Stephen Dwight, R-Lake Charles, that extends one-quarter of a cent of the fifth penny of state sales tax and streamlines certain exemptions to raise about $300 million a year in revenue.
In return for the partial sales tax extension, the committee also advanced, 10-7, a bill by Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, that would limit some of the deductions for Louisianans who itemize deductions on their federal tax returns. Leger’s bill would raise $79 million.
An amendment by Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, added a sunset provision to the quarter-of-a-penny extension to the sales tax. It would expire in mid-2021, essentially creating another “fiscal cliff” in three years.
Seabaugh argued that the amendment buys the Legislature time to make more comprehensive tax reforms that could make Louisiana more appealing to business.
“We gave ourselves a couple of years to try and fix the problem, and making [the extension of this tax] permanent is admitting we cannot fix the problem,” Seabaugh said. “I’m not ready to do that, yet.”
Several legislators noted that they have been unable to pass significant fiscal reform in the four special sessions since Governor John Bel Edwards took office in 2015, and they will not have the opportunity to address bigger structural changes in this special session because of procedural limitations.
“In my short five years here – and they’ve been pretty miserable – I’ve learned the Legislature won’t do anything it doesn’t have to do,” Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge, said. “In the last two years, we won’t even do that.”
He said he opposed the compromises approved on Sunday because “once we kick the can on revenue, there is no need for structural reform.”
House Democrats have consistently argued the extension of the sales tax disproportionately affects poor people, and lobbied for the limits on the itemized deductions as a means for spreading the burden to wealthier Louisianans.
Republican representatives in favor of Leger’s measure to limit the deductions were Hammond’s Julie Stokes, Lake Charles’s Stephen Dwight, Oil City’s Jim Morris and Hammond’s Chris Broadwater.
Seabaugh argued that the bills “seems like an attempt by the state to take back more of the savings coming from the federal tax change.”
Leger retorted that the federal tax cut is not permanent, and noted that the Legislature, including Seabaugh, had voted down several options to divorce state and federal tax policy in previous sessions.
Another Seabaugh amendment married both bills to the passage of six other Republican-backed bills, including bills that would cap government spending, establish the “Louisiana Checkbook” government transparency website and make changes in Medicaid.
One of the Medicaid bills, sponsored by Rep. Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe, would have instituted work requirements for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana. But amendments in the House Health and Welfare Committee on Sunday stripped the bill of its teeth to the point where finding a job is more of a suggestion.
Democrats opposed the bill out of concern that Medicaid recipients could lose health coverage if they lost their jobs. The committee then approved an amendment by Rep. Marcus Hunter, D-Monroe, guaranteeing that no Louisiana Medicaid recipients will lose coverage because of the bill.
Setting up a system to ensure that Medicaid recipients were working also would have cost about $80 million.
The House Ways and Means Committee also moved legislation Sunday that would lower rebate rates for the Competitive Projects Payroll Incentive Program, and another bill that makes permanent the elimination of certain corporate income tax deductions.
Combined, those two measures would save the state an additional $30 million, bringing the total for the bills passed today to about $409 million.
The state also will collect an extra $302 million in tax thanks to the federal tax cuts. Those cuts also will reduce the value of the federal-tax deductions on Louisiana residents’ returns, thus increasing their state tax bills.
Tryfon Boukouvidis and Sarah Gamard contributed to this report.

Jabian and Shelley Sellers of Abbeville are delighted to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Ms. Jenci Gabrielle Sellers, to Mr. Brock Michael Dronet.
Brock is the son of Rich and Pam Davis of Abbeville, and Corey Listi of Lafayette.
Jenci is an honor graduate of Southern Louisiana Community College, and a current student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She plans to graduate in May with a Bachelors Degree in Health Information Management and a minor in Health Informatics. She also plans to continue her education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for her Masters in Business Administration.
Brock is a graduate of Vermilion Catholic High School and is the owner of Platinum Installations LLC.
A winter wedding will take place at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in December.

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial For Mr. Eugene "Clancy " Suire, 80, will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
The wake will take place at David’s Funeral Home in Erath, LA on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 5:00PM until 8:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 9:00AM until the time of the services.
Eugene Clancy Suire passed away peacefully in his home on February 26, 2018 in Erath, LA due to complications following lung cancer. He was 80 years old.
Mr. Suire was born on February 6, 1938 in Erath, LA to parents, Gabriel Suire and Zulma Suire. He was married to his wife of 45 years, Beverly Richard of Abbeville, LA. Clancy was a successful businessman, owning and operating a Phillip’s Sixty-Six Service Station in Lafayette, LA, Acadian Tire Company in Kaplan, LA., and C.S. Rentals in Erath, LA. He retired in the year 2000 and dedicated his remaining time to maintaining the various properties he owned. Clancy was a generous man who loved his family and who enjoyed keeping in touch with friends.
Mr. Suire is survived by his wife, Beverly Suire, daughter, Stacey Vidallia Mire, grandchildren, Holley Mire Saunier and Zachary Mire, and great granddaughter, Catherine Grace Saunier.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gabriel and Zuma Vincent Suire; two brothers, Nillance Suire and John "Big John" Suire; and a sister, Dorothy Broussard.
Pallbearers will be Carson Nunez, Mickey Turner, Zachary Mire, Hubert Mire, Jr., Shane Broussard, Kerry Broussard, and Ryan Broussard.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Chris Suire and Shelly Vice.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana, especially nurses, Robin and Louise, for their dedication and care.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath, 209 East Putnam St., (337) 937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

May 8, 1938 ~ February 27, 2018

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, March 01, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Lucien Joseph Cavalier Jr., 79, who died Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Abbeville General Hospital. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. Michael Richard officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Marl Cavalier, Sr., Mark Cavalier, Jr., Brock Benoit, Cory Benoit, Andre Benoit and Taylor Benoit.
Lucien was a hard worker and great provider for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty LaPoint Cavalier; son, Mark Cavalier, Sr. and his wife Melanie of Abbeville; daughter, Sandy Cavalier and Jason Hernandez of Abbeville; grandsons, Brock Benoit, Cory Benoit, Mark Cavalier, Jr. and Francis Cavalier; and great-grandchildren, Andre Benoit, Cohen Benoit, Kelsey Benoit, Taylor Benoit, Nathan Benoit, Hadlie Benoit and Bentley Cavalier.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucien Cavalier, Sr. and the former Ann Falcon.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, March 01, 2018 from 10:00 AM until time of 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.

March 05, 1943 - February 25, 2018

GUEYDAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Martha Lucy Marceaux Smith, 74, who passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. She will be laid to rest at Gueydan Cemetery with Reverend Clint Trahan officiating the services.
Martha and her husband were very active in the family business, Marceaux's Superette. She dedicated much of her time to the Ladies' Altar Society, her local rosary group, St. Peter's School, St. Peter's Choir, and St. Peter's Spring Bazaar where she was known as the cotton candy lady along with her friend, Brenda Vondenstein. She also served as a volunteer for Hurricane Katrina. She was known by many names such as Nana to her great grandchildren and Maw or Maw Maw by her grandchildren. Everyone knew her from her dynamic personality that brought lots of laughter. She enjoyed going to the casino, playing cards, and playing Mexican Train Dominoes with her family and friends. She became the matriarch of her family when her mother passed away. She will be deaply missed by all.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Melvin Smith, Sr. of Gueydan; one son, Melvin Smith, Jr. and his wife, Margie of Gueydan; two daughters, Rebecca and her husband, Ricky Vondenstein of Gueydan and Chantay and her husband, Ryan Abshire of Abbeville; three sisters, Margie and her husband, Irvin LeBouef, Sr. of Gueydan, Florence and her husband, Dale Benoit of Lake Arthur, and Barbara and her husband, Dwain Fuselier of Luling; one brother, Nelson Marceaux of Gueydan; one sister-in-law, Wilda Marceaux of Gueydan ; six grandchildren, Neil Lejeune, Jr. and his wife, Hannah, Ashley Smith and his wife, Wendy, Brad Lejeune and his wife, Krystal, Caina Smith, Bryce Smith and his wife, Chelsea, and Spencer Abshire; and eight great grandchildren, Kailey L., Drake L., Reece L., Reagan S., Gannon S., Londyn L., Lexi L., and Lane L.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson Marceaux and the former Mary Oneida Cormier; two daughters, Melissa S. Lejeune and Caina Smith; and one brother, Darrel Marceaux.
The family would like to thank the staff at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and especially Dr. Chris Thompson and Dr. Michael Broussard for their excellent care.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Gueydan, 311 Fourth St., on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for the church.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Gueydan, (337) 536-6124 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Smith family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

Mary Mae Peters Campbell was born July 29,1935 and was received into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on February 21, 2018. She was born and raised in Abbeville, Louisiana to Norris and Emelda Peters and was one of nine children.
She was preceded in death by her parents Norris and Emelda Peters, her brothers Norris Peters, Jr. and Bervick James Peters, and her sisters Margaret “Josephine” Campbell and Carmelita Peters.
She leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy seven children: Angelia Campbell, Lloyd Campbell, Jr., Tandra Bradford, Karen Campbell, Kenneth Campbell, Michael Campbell and Carla Haskins. She is also survived by her siblings: Audrey Saddler, Hamilton Peters and Ledia Chandler. Nineteen grandchildren: Keyla Simmons, Kayla Williams, Demarcus Bircher, J’Cory Bircher, Johnny Childs, Shonn Campbell, Derrick Bundage, Erick Bundage, Chevonda Campbell, Shana Campbell, Ethan Campbell, Quincy Campbell, Payton Campbell, Devinn Campbell, Austen Campbell, Ashley Gaines, Nacia Haskins, Julian Haskins and Quincy Haskins. Eight great-grandchildren: Jamar Bundage, Arianna Campbell, Cassidy Mensah, Avante Williams, Elijah Gaines, Kourtney M. A. Campbell, Adam Campbell, and L’eau Campbell. Sons-in-law Herbert Bradford and Ed Haskins. Daughters in law, Kimberly Campbell, Monica Campbell, and Arvis Campbell; in addition to a host of extended family and devoted lifelong friends.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, March 3 at 12 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Abbeville, LA.
The Internment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery. Repass immediately following at St. Theresa Church Hall.

The following defendants pled guilty to various charges and were sentenced in the 15th Judicial District Court, Parish of Vermilion.

VERMILION PARISH:
1. Taylor Davis, Introduction of Contraband in Jail, one year hard labor, credit for time served
2. Terry Smith, Possession of Methamphetamine, two years hard labor
3. Blake Baldridge, possession of marijuana, six months parish jail
4. Shane Hebert, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, nine year hard labor
5. Amber Lee, Obstruction of Justice, one year hard labor, suspended, one year supervised probation
6. Blaine Broussard, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, five years hard labor
7. Joshua Barras, Domestic Abuse Battery, six months parish jail
8. Anthony Broussard, Simple Burglary, 12 years hard labor suspend all but four years, three years supervised probation
9. Michael Francis, Attempted Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one year hard labor
10. Christopher Landry, Domestic Abuse Battery by Strangulation; two years hard labor, suspended, 2 years supervised probation
11. Shane Hebert, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things; three years hard labor
12. Chance Nation, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and Unauthorized Use of a Movable, five years hard labor suspend all but two

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys John Ghio, Craig Bordelon II, Celeste White and Ted Ayo.

On Feb. 4, 2018, a member of the Lafayette General Health (LGH) family incurred a tragic loss. Stacy Duhon, Clinical Implementation Specialist, lost her daughter, Alana Duhon, in a car accident. To support Duhon in her time of need, Lafayette General Foundation (LGF) established the Alana Duhon Memorial Fund.
Alana was a sophomore at North Vermilion High School where she was a member of the Lady Patriot Softball team and an active member of the 4-H Club.
“Alana was a ‘hot mess,’ but she had a compassionate and spunky spirit,” said Duhon. “Nothing in life can prepare anyone for the emotional roller coaster we go through when burying our child; it’s the hardest thing our family has been through.”
Other LGH employees, who Duhon considers family, immediately wanted to assist in any capacity. Duhon has been an employee of LGH for 27 years and has worked in the Women’s Services and Clinical Education departments. Clinical Education, Women Services and Information System departments went above and beyond to offer Duhon support.
“I reached out to Lafayette General Foundation because I knew it was the way to go—no question,” said Tricia Broussard, Director of Clinical Education. “I know our Foundation would have more of a lasting impact and her legacy would live on.”
LGF established the Alana Duhon Memorial Fund to ensure Alana’s legacy. As a donor advised fund, monies contributed will be used within Lafayette General Health per the wishes of Stacey Duhon. A donor-advised fund (DAF), is a philanthropic vehicle established at Lafayette General Foundation. DAFs allow Foundation donors to make charitable contributions and then recommend donations from the fund over time.

To donate via check, please mail your donation to:
Lafayette General Foundation
c/o Alana Duhon Memorial Fund
920 West Pinhook Road
Lafayette, Louisiana 70503

About Lafayette General Foundation (LGF)
Lafayette General Foundation’s mission is to link investors’ passion to the mission of Lafayette General Health, Acadiana’s only community-owned, non-profit health system. As the philanthropic arm of the health system, LGF raises funds to supplement the resources of LGH and provide services, equipment and technology to further the progress of healthcare. By supporting innovations that transform how healthcare is delivered, LGF enhances the health system’s ability to treat patients, leading to improved outcomes, satisfaction and financial stability. We empower the people of Acadiana to invest in creating a healthier future for all.
LGF has developed four different avenues for gifts of all sizes: 1) Traditional Hospital Philanthropic Fund, 2) Innovation Fund, 3) Real Estate Fund, 4) Research Fund.
For more information, call the Foundation at 337-289-8950 or email foundation@lgh.org.