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RAYNE - Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at a 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Rayne, for Gertrude Phillips Cole, 93, who died Tuesday, Jan. 14, at The Ellington Nursing Home in Rayne.
Interment will be in Our Mother of Mercy Cemetery in Rayne.
Rev. Emmanuel O. Awe S.S.J., Pastor of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Rayne, will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the Funeral Services.
Survivors include her seven children, Bernadette Cole of Rayne, Melvin Cole Jr. and spouse Norma of Rayne, Daniel Cole Sr. of Rayne, Sandra C. Livings and spouse Hilton of Rayne, Helen C. Oscar of Lafayette, John G. Cole and spouse Jappari of Rayne, Jude Cole of New Orleans; one non-biological son, Milton Wiltz of Houston, Texas; 33 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jane Louis Harmon of Rayne and Delores Boards of Rayne; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Cole of Rayne.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Joseph Cole Sr.; parents, Roosevelt Phillips Sr. and Esther Evans Phillips; son, James R. Cole; daughter, Esther Marie Evans Cole; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Nettie Phillips Foreman; and four brothers, James B. Phillips, Roosevelt Phillips Jr., Vincent Phillips and Leroy Phillips Sr..
Pallbearers will be Daniel Cole Jr., Melvin Cole III, Thaylon Alfred, Charles Rochester Jr., Marvis Cole, Markel Cole, Jamathen Cole and Quincy Rochester.
Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Cole Sr., Daniel Cole Sr., John Cole, Jude Cole, Chetwin Cole, Jasper Cole, Milton Wiltz, Kenneth R. Phillips, Rodney Figaro, Jonavon Cole, Martin Lewis, James Cole Jr. and Hilton Livings Sr..
A Rosary will be prayed Friday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne.
The family requests visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne on Friday, Jan. 24, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.
RAYNE - Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2020 at a 2:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, LA for Mary Louise Simon Richard, 91, who died Thursday January 16, 2020 at The Broadway Elder Living & RehabilitationNursing Home in Lockport, LA.
Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2, Mausoleum in Rayne, LA.
Rev. Harold Trahan will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Survivors include four children, Fred Richard and spouse Janet of Rayne, Larry Richard of Rayne, Jonathan Richard of Rayne, Gail Richard Burnet and spouse Billy of Golden Meadow, eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husband, John Warren Richard, daughter, Kathryn Yvonne Richard Callicotte, father, Oneze Simon, mother, Lydia Frederic Simon, two sisters, Hazel Simon Perrodin, Mable Simon Stutes, brother, Charlie Simon.
A Rosary will be prayed Monday, January 20, 2020 at 12:00 pm in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne LA on Monday, January 20, 2020 from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.
RAYNE - Residents at the Ellington Nursing Home were again recipients of Christmas Day gift bags, compliments of Santa Claus, City of Rayne and generous donors.
The fourth annual event raised $3,300 in cash and an estimated $500 in items to fill the 120 gift bags hand delivered by Santa and all his elves Christmas Day. Each bag was filled with over 25 items ranging from shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, back scratchers, puzzle books and many more fun and needed items.
Blaine and Karen Dupont would like to thank all the businesses and individual Rayne donors for the generous gifts to make this fourth annual nursing home gift bags possible. Many thanks to all the elves that helped pushed all 12 of the baskets holding the 120 bags.
Many thanks to all who graciously donated money and/toiletry items for the Ellington Nursing Home Christmas Day Gift bags in Rayne where Santa and his elves handed out a bag to each resident. With everyone’s generous donation, a smile was noted on everyone’s face.
Among the donors making the event another complete success were: Bernice Lavergne, Todd and Trina Prejean, Mary Pastor, Yvonne Guidry Family, Kevin and Wanda Matte, Troy and Blake Alleman’s crew, Sheila Hebert, Lewis and Faye Cook, Ken and Martha Nero, Elaine LeBlanc, Cajun Fitness, Kim Conyers, Michael Junot, Deanna Carter, Brunella Domingue, Ashley Siebold, Mandy Doucet, CJ Prevost Insurance, Clint and Dawn Gerbine, Mike and Angie Allen, Erin at Crowley Primary Care, Mary Katherine Broussard, Jordan Barousse ride, Ryan Istre, Rayne State Bank, Yvonne Charles, London E, Brad Breaux, Jamie Conques, Melissa Quibodeaux, Andrea Harmon ride, Gabe’s Cajun Food Restaurant, Chris and Christa Guidry, ALC Realty, Gossen Funeral Home, Our Hour of Faith Church, LolliHops Boutique, Jeff Meche Electric, Tim Trahan, Rotary Club of Rayne, Beslin-Cunningham Law Firm, Danielle and Beulah Alleman, Michelle Thibodeaux, Nita McCall, Pat Credeur, Jackie Falcon, Sue Leonards, Bonnie Ronsinski, Connie Alleman, Rayne Ace Hardware, Stephanie Lynn, Joanne Meche, Trahan Foods, Granger Family, Blaine and Karen DuPont, and all of the Christmas riders who graciously gave donations.
Rayne High School wrestling seniors and parents recognized during “Senior NIght” on Saturday, Jan. 11, of the 2019-2020 wrestling season were, from left, Carmen Venable with her mother Josette Venable, Alyssa Dorsett with her mother Jenny Dorsett, Miles Doucet with his brother Landon Doucet, Ron Roberts with his parents Tony and Louanna Roberts, William Billings with his mother Jancy and borther Jacob Billings, Emile Richard with his parents Mark and Nicole Richard, Reese Carrier with his parents Loren Alleman and Jared Carrier, and Beau Perrodin with his parents Phil and Cassie Perrodin. The Wolves hosted Barbe High School for the dual meet with varsity wrestlers for the night including: 106 lbs. - Jakarion Fontenot, 113 lbs. - Beau Perrodin, 120 lbs. - Daylon Dugas, 126 lbs. Devin Roberts, 132 lbs. - Reese Carrier, 138 lbs. - Dax Constantin, 145 lbs. - Ryder Hawley, 152 lbs. - Sean Dorsett, 160 lbs. - David George, 170 lbs. - William Billings, 182 lbs. - Emile Richard, 195 lbs. - Rob Roberts, 220 lbs. - Miles Doucet, and 285 lbs. - Riley Boss. Rayne High won the dual, defeating the Barbe Bucs with a score of 60 - 21.
The Wolves are back on the mat Saturday, Jan. 18, at Rayne High for the 7th Annual Rayne High Invitational Wrestling Tournament when they will host 40 teams from around the state. Fierce competition is expected during the event so come out to attend the tournament and cheer on the Wolves.
Surrounded by their family, Conrad and Nettie Simoneaux celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, at the Tuscany Restaurant, Rayne.
Hosted by their children, the special celebration was also attended by their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Children of the honored couple are Sandy Noel and husband Roland of Lafayette, Lonnie Simoneaux and wife Angela of Rayne, and Tammy Simoneaux and fiance Ricky Romero of Lafayette.
They are the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
On January 12, 1953, Conrad Simoneaux and the former Nettie LaGrange were united as husband and wife during a wedding ceremony held in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Wedding attendants for the ceremony were Dorothy and Whitley Guidry, both deceased, and the groom’s mother, Marie Simoneaux Lavergne, deceased.
The couple resided and raised their children in Rayne until 15 years ago when they moved to Lafayette, where they still reside.
After moving to Lafayette, they now attend Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Mire.
Both retired, Conrad is retired from Exxon and is an United States Army veteran who served in the Korean War. Nettie is a retired hairdresser formerly with Dot’s Beauty Shop in Rayne.
They were active members of the WBCCI (Wally Byam Caravan Club International) and led many Airstream Caravan adventures over many years. Due to their major role in the development of the City of Rayne’s RV park and their efforts as caravan leaders through the years, they were honored by the Rayne Frog Festival and City of Rayne in 2005 as they were named Rayne Frog Festival Grand Marshals.
They currently enjoy spending time with their close family which includes five generations, along with their beloved pets, Nina and Bubba.
They have been blessed with four great-great-grandchildren, Dakota Jesse Breaux, Maret Elise Kibodeaux, and two new family members born in late 2019, great-great-grandsons, John Patrick Breaux and Kru Conrad Giarratano.
RAYNE - Awards will be presented, new officers will be installed and board members will be sworn in during the 7th Annual “Rayne Business Appreciation Night” as announced by the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rayne administration, co-sponsors of the annual event.
The event is representative of the traditional Chamber installation banquet, but with a new and improved business-oriented format.
In addition to the new officers and board members to be installed during the event to be held Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Rayne Civic Center, a number of awards will be presented with nominations now being accepted.
Business Person of the Year
Nominations are now being accepted by the Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture for the annual “Business Person of the Year.”
Qualifications for the award include:
• The individual must have significantly contributed to the successful operation of a business in at least a senior management position;
• No person presently holding an elected office of a political nature will be eligible to receive the award;
• The individual or business must be a member of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce; and
• No member of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be eligible.
Candidates will be selected based on their contribution in the areas of business activities, community service, economic development, and education.
Contributions in business activities may include significant job creation through the operation of their business, contribution to community economic activity through the creation of a payroll which provides earnings for the individual, contribution to the tax base by the creation of a payroll, and number of years that the person has been involved in business.
In community service, the individual may have contributed by participation in civic activities and organizations and by hiring from the local job force. Economic contributions may include present and past participation in Chamber activities, assisting in the retaining and development of new business, and participation in commercial or retail development activities.
In education, the nominee may have been involved in activity directed toward improvement of the quality of education, particularly with respect to job training at both public and private schools, and may have contributed and supported both public and private schools.
Employee of the Year
Nominations are now being accepted by the Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture for the annual “Outstanding Employee of the Year” award to be presented during the 6th Annual “Rayne Business Appreciation Night.”
If a Chamber member or Rayne business knows of a deserving person for this award, please submit a brief letter stating why the person should receive the award.
Everyone is encouraged to look within their business or where they do business and find that person that has gone the extra mile for that business and/or service to the business community.
The Rayne business does not have to be a Chamber member to submit an employee name; however, only one nominee per person will be accepted.
Humanitarian of the Year
The most recent honor the Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture has added to the list of honors to be awarded during the 2019 Annual Rayne Business Appreciation Night is the “Humanitarian of the Year” award.
Nominations are now being accepted for “Humanitarian of the Year” with the following guidelines:
Qualifications: Must have accomplished an outstanding humanitarian and/or civic deed or deeds for the benefit of the city of Rayne and/or our community. Must not have received remuneration for said work, nor done it in the regular line of duty. No personal presently holding an elected office of political nature will be eligible to receive the award.
Candidates should be selected based on their contribution in one or more of the following areas:
• Community Services: 1. Civic improvement. 2. Mental health activities.3. Aid to and promotion of employment of the handicapped. 4. Aid or assistance to the elderly. 5. Physical health and recreational activities.
• Religious: 1. Dedication to individual activities of the honoree’s own faith. 2. Outstanding efforts to promote high standards of moral and ethical conduct both publicly and privately.
• Educational: 1. Outstanding activity toward the improvement of quality of education both public and private. 2. Interest in and promotion of adult education. 3. Trade and industrial school activities. 4. Promotion of community awareness of the need for continuing education.
Please submit the name of your candidate, along with a brief description in 500 words or less stating why you feel he/she should be selected for this award. All responses will be kept confidential.
Nomination letters must be submitted and should be mailed to the Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture at 107 Oak St., Rayne, LA, 70578, emailed to raynechamber1@bellsouth.net or brought to the Chamber office during regular business hours of 10 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Deadline for all nominations is Friday, Feb. 5, by 4 p.m.
Crowley Post-Signal
602 N. Parkerson Ave, Crowley, LA 70526
Phone: 337-783-3450
Fax: 337-788-0949
Rayne-Acadian Tribune
108 North Adams, Rayne, LA 70578
Phone: 337-334-3186
Fax: 337-334-8474
Church Point News
c/o The Eunice News, 465 Aymond St., Eunice, LA 70535
Phone: 337-457-3061