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Eunice G. LeBlanc
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 29, at 2 p.m. in the Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Crowley for Ms. Eunice G. LeBlanc, 90, who passed away at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at her daughter’s home in Crowley.
Deacon Dennis LaCroix, from St. Joseph Catholic Church, will be officiating for the services.
Burial will be held in the Acadia Resthaven Cemetery in Crowley.
The family has requested the visitation to be held on Saturday, June 29, at 9 a.m. until time of services. A Rosary will be recited on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel.
Survivors include one son, Rick and wife Millie LeBlanc of Lafayette; one daughter, Sue and husband Jeff Duhon of Crowley; one brother, Donald Garrie of Crowley; two grandchildren, Nicole and husband Danny Palmentier of Lafayette and Brett and wife Chelsea LeBlanc of Walker; six great-grandchildren, Andrew Palmentier, Sarah Palmentier, Rebecca Palmentier, Layni LeBlanc, Austin LeBlanc and Seth LeBlanc.
Ms. LeBlanc was preceded in death by her husband, A. Rodney LeBlanc; four sisters, Winnie Monceaux, Lucille Myers, Audry Simon and Wilma Veniza; two brothers, Bill and Whitney Garrie.
You may view the obituary, sign the guest registry and express condolences online to Ms. LeBlanc’s family at www.duhonfuneralhome.com.
Duhon Funeral Home, LLC – Crowley, (337) 783-1395, 1529 Crowley-Rayne Hwy, Crowley, is in charge of all of the arrangements.
Beaulah Lee Cormier
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 417 W. Third St., Crowley, for Mrs. Beaulah Lee Cormier, 76, who entered eternal rest on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette.
Interment will be in South Crowley Cemetery.
Fr. Godwin Imoru, pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church, will be officiating the funeral service.
Mrs. Cormier leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Herbert Cormier of Crowley; two sons, Renwick Jermaine Cormier and Quincy Cormier (Champagne), both of Crowley; one granddaughter, Quinterria Brown of Crowley; one sister, Sheila Washington (Michael) of Crowley; a best friend/cousin, Adrean Johnson of Crowley; one neice; one nephew; and a host of relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Cornelious and Pearl Allen Edwards.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 29, from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church.
Words of condolences may be expressed at fordandjosephfh.com.
Ford and Joseph Funeral Home, 577 N. Avenue C, Crowley, (337) 514-5217, is in charge of arrangements.
Rayne welcomes guests during Acadia Parish tour
RAYNE - The “Frog Capital of the World” welcomed guests with open arms on Friday, May 31, during a three-day event entitled, “Zydeco Cajun Prairie Tour.”
A bus filled with Baton Rouge-area tourists was escorted into the city, making their first stop of the day-long tour at Maison Daboval Bed and Breakfast, hosted by Martha and Gene Royer, owners/operators.
Guests enjoyed homemade sweet potato muffins and coffee as they heard about the history of the historic home built near the railroad tracks in 1892 by Emile Daboval, the sixth mayor of Rayne. The Royers purchased the home in 1994, restored the Daboval home to its original glory then opened the doors as a bed and breakfast for all to enjoy.
For the tour, Royer gave a brief history of the home and shared some of the unique discoveries found during the renovation about the home, especially during the years the home was operated as a boarding house.
Guests were then escorted a block over on Louisiana Avenue to hosts Eddie and Anne Palmer, owners/operators of Antiques on the Avenue. The Palmers shared the history of the building and their collection of beautiful antique furniture.
The group then walked over another block to The Crossing at Mervine Kahn, site of the original Mervine Kahn Company established by local businessman Mervine Kahn in the 1800s.
Also welcoming guests at Antiques on the Avenue was artist Dusty Reed, the “Cajun Picasso” who shared his work and stories. Combining his Cajun roots with his own unique and contemporary style -- Colk-Art, the combination of folk art (art produced from an indigenous culture) with Cubism.
Royer then boarded the bus with the many guests in attendance to enjoyed a tour of the city, including the treasures the Frog Capital of the World and Louisiana’s City of Murals has to offer.
Guests then enjoyed a delicious lunch at Chef Roy’s Frog City Café where they were greeted by owners Chef Benoit Morel and Robert Credeur for some of the finest dining in all of Acadiana right here in Rayne.
Following their meal, the group was entertained by Kenneth Stewart and Katherine Stagg who provided musical entertainment and a historical presentation of the musical history of this area.
The tour bus then headed to Roberts Cove for a visit at the German Heritage Museum, a museum built to preserve the history and heritage of this unique area in Cajun country settled by German immigrants. In addition to visiting the grounds and buildings, guests heard the history of the area, witnessed a sauerkraut demonstration and hear German music played on the accordion by a local musician.
The tour group was then escorted to a delicious and sweet stop at Candyland Cottage & Ice Cream Shoppe. While enjoying an ice cream cone or ice cream sundae, the group also took a look at the old fashioned surroundings made up of antiques of all sorts, old fashion candies and pictures and reminisced about the things that remind visitors of their childhood.
The first day of the Acadia Prairie Tour was completed at Prejean’s Cajun Restaurant near Lafayette where they enjoyed a four-course dinner with Cajun music. Since April 15, 1980, people from around the world have been stopping in to sample the savory dishes created by Prejean’s talented team of culinary experts. The restaurant now holds the record for the most medals captured by any culinary team in the south.
The second day of the tour began with a stop at Sew What Cajun Mardi Gras Costume Shop in Branch where they visited with owner Karen Thibodeaux and explored the costume shop where most of the unique Cajun Mardi Gras costumes are created and shipped throughout the world.
The group then departed north on Highway 35 for Church Point, established in 1843 and known as “Buggy Capital of the World.” Guests visited also toured the “Le Vieux Presbytere,” constructed in 1887 as the priest’s home and now serves as the museum for the cultural history of the town. Le Vieux is one of the last structures in south Louisiana to use the folk craft of mud wall construction which is known as bousillage, a primary characteristic of Louisiana’s Creole architectural heritage.
The group’s next stop was the community of Richard where they visited the grave of Charlene Richard, better know as “The Little Cajun Saint.” Over 10,000 people visit her grave every year from across the globe and leave a prayer intention.
Lunch was enjoyed at Kelly’s Landing – The Cajun Prairie Farm, just west of Roberts Cove. The group visited with owners Kelly and Lynn Hundley, enjoyed a delicious home cooked lunch while Kelly shared funny stories of his life as a rice and crawfish farmer, his tales of collecting antique farm equipment and a huge toy tractor collection.
Mouton’s Music Store along north Highway 13 was the group’s next stop where they met owner Greg Mouton and a few of his Cajun musician students. The Moutons have been building accordions since 1960, and they are known as the oldest running Cajun accordion label specializing in Louisiana music and the Cajun culture -- while at the same time -- promoting all types of music.
The city of Crowley was the afternoon stop for the group as they toured the heart of the city, including the Grand Opera House (1901), City Hall (1920) which includes the former Ford Motor Model T dealership, and the historic Rice Theater (1941), all enjoyed along Crowley’s historic downtown boulevard of Parkerson Avenue.
Day two was concluded with dinner at the fabulous Ruffino’s On the River Restaurant where they also enjoy the hit foodie show, “Meanwhile, Back at Café Du Monde - Life Stories About Food,” emceed by creator/author, Peggy Sweeney-McDonald with locals sharing their stories about food.
Following breakfast, the third and final day of the tour was spent returning to Baton Rouge.
Rayne Legion Post 77 plans installation, meeting changed
RAYNE - As announced by Commander David Simon, the monthly meeting of Arceneaux Post 77, American Legion, originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, when new officers will be installed during the annual installation ceremony.
Officers of Post 77 and Auxiliary Unit 77 will be installed during the 7 p.m. ceremonies at the local American Legion Home, followed by a meal for all in attendance, including special guests.
Legion officers to be installed are Commander David Simon, 1st Vice Ray Olinger, 2nd Vice Robley Moreau, 3rd Vice John Quebodeaux, Financial Officer Lorraine Shelton-Gaines, Jr. Past Commander Gene Comeaux, Adjutant Brady Myers, Chaplain Robert Comeaux, Service Officer John Petitjean, Judge Advocate Shane Mouton, Sgt.-at-arms Andrew Habetz, Color Bears Wilson LeDoux and Harold Arceneaux.
The office of historian/publicity officer remains open, and advisors to the commander will be selected by the commander following installment ceremonies.
Audrey Mae LeBeau Hornsby
NEW ROADS - Audrey Mae LeBeau Hornsby, a native and a lifelong resident of New Roads, passed away early Sunday morning, June 23, 2019, at The Ellington in Rayne. She was 92.
Audrey was born on February 3, 1927, the oldest child of Wade Joseph LeBeau and Rita Lieux LeBeau. On August 7, 1948, she married Elwyn John (Jack) Hornsby. They were married for almost 39 years until his untimely passing in 1987.
Audrey is survived by her three children, Elwyn John (Johnny) Hornsby Jr. and wife Gwendolyn of Mandeville, Linda Hornsby Dawson and husband Mark (Tooney) of Rayne and Jeff Hornsby of New Roads.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Marin Dawson of Rayne, Kasey Holtzman and husband Bill of Chesterfield, Missouri, Erin Alexander and husband Paul of Valley Grande, Alabama, Kellen Stevison and husband Hunter of Little Rock, Arkansas, Chris Hornsby of Mandeville, Jack Hornsby of Covington and Josh Hornsby of Denham Springs; and a brother, Kenneth (Butch) LeBeau and wife Peggy of Baton Rouge.
Audrey also leaves her six great-grandchildren to cherish her memory, Kaylin, Liam, and Addy Caswell, Will and Reid Holtzman and Paul Scott Alexander.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by a sister, Helen LeBeau Kreamer; two special aunts she took care of, Mabel and Elizabeth Lieux; and a nephew, Mark Francis LeBeau.
A devout Catholic, Audrey was a member of St. Mary of False River Catholic Church and former member of the Altar Society.
She led a simple life with an unquestioning love and loyalty to family and friends. Audrey enjoyed working in her yard especially placing spring or fall flowers in pots on her porches. When her health declined, she became the supervisor-in-charge of planting and directed her family what she wanted done. She also enjoyed watching LSU football and baseball and the New Orleans Saints on television.
The family would like to thank Dr. Carl McLemore, her family physician in New Roads, and her son-in-law, Dr. Mark H. Dawson, her physician in Rayne, and the wonderful staff of The Ellington, where Audrey spent the last days of her life here on earth for their kindness and care.
Special thanks to her home health agency, Pointe Coupee Homebound Health and Hospice and Pointe Coupee General Hospital for the compassion and care they provided Audrey through the years.
Thanks to Tammy Patterson and Peggy Gremillion who assisted Audrey with daily tasks while she was living at home in New Roads, and also to Beverly Martin of the Pointe Coupee Council on Aging.
Visitation will be held at St. Mary of False River Catholic Church, 348 West Main Street in New Roads, on Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m. conducted by Father Todd Lloyd. Burial will follow the services at False River Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 2110 False River Drive, New Roads, LA 70760.
Bill Niland Funeral Home in New Roads is in charge of arrangements.
OST Celebration announced by Rayne committee
RAYNE - Mark your calendars for the Old Spanish Trail Celebration as announced by the co-sponsors of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and City of Rayne.
The historic downtown area of Rayne will be the setting the weekend of Saturday, Nov. 2, for the fourth annual official Old Spanish Trail Celebration in Rayne, the first city in the nation named an OST City.
Come “pass a good time” at The Depot Square (corner of Highways 90 and 35) and the surrounding downtown areas where history will be celebrated, events will be enjoyed and displays will be observed.
As announced by Chairman Eddie Palmer and OST Committee members, this year’s event is hoping to be bigger and better with the addition of more participants, historic discussions and memorabilia for all.
Focal point of the day-long celebration of the third anniversary of when Rayne was designated the first official “Old Spanish Trail City” in the entire nation will be The Depot Square between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On the grounds of The Depot Square will be a number of exhibits and displays depicting the history of the OST, along with food, refreshments, music and dancing.
In addition to the antique and vintage car display, food vendors, displays, memorabilia, music, arts and crafts and demonstrations featuring transportation relics and frontier themes.
A number of special displays and presentations will be enjoyed at The Bank near the former Mervine Kahn building where special oldies -- but goodies -- will be on display, along with an historical slide presentation of yesteryear provided by Tony Olinger. Historic discussions are also on the agenda, along with a documentary film, exhibitions and highlights of the past.
“Drive about, cruise around and drive in” to the special reserved parking area for participants on the 200 block of East Louisiana Ave. just across the railroad tracks from The Depot Square (in front of The Warehouse Event Center, the original Mervine Kahn warehouse).
The committee is calling on all antique and vintage cars, trucks and machines to participate. Contact Palmer at epalmer@bellsouth.net or call (337)232-9320 or (337)334-2234.
Drivers and passengers in the cars are being asked to dress in costumes corresponding to the year of their vehicle (not required).
Palmer and the OST Committee has been working tirelessly and planning a celebration that not only will be fun and entertaining for the entire family, but one that will recognize the historical and cultural significance of the Old Spanish Trail, which stretches nearly 3,000 miles across eight states in the southern area of the country from St. Augustine, Florida, to San Diego, California.
The event is free and open to the general public.
Miss Rayne Pageant set Aug. 10
Young ladies interested in competing for Miss Rayne 2019 are being invited to the Aug. 10th pageant to be held at the Rayne Civic Center.
To be eligible to compete for the title of Miss Rayne, contests must (1) be 17 years of age and not older than 22 years of age the date of the pageant; (2) be single and have never been married or had a marriage annulled; (3) not be pregnant or have never borne a child; (4) be of good moral character and never been convicted of any felony; (5) have a Rayne address or telephone number or attend a school servicing the Rayne community.
The competition will consist of the following segments; interview – (held the afternoon of the competition); typically there will be a panel of three judges that will visit with each contestant for a period of approximately five minutes; questions may be asked concerning information covered on the entry form and general items of interest about the City of Rayne; sportswear and introductions; Choreographed dance number and a maximum 30 second introduction; evening gown – on stage competition in an evening gown of choice; on-stage interview including two lighthearted questions.
Orientation will be held in July and deadline to enter is Monday, Aug. 5, by 4 p.m.
For more information or to acquire the official application, contact Suzette Leonards at Suzette.leonards@rayne.org, by phone at 337-334-6682 or stop by City Hall (801 The Boulevard).
Rayne High School class of 1951 gathers for reunion
RAYNE - Classmates of the Rayne High School graduating class of 1951 gathered on Friday, June 14, for their 68-year reunion.
The group of 10 classmates in attendance gathered for their annual lunch at Chef Roy’s Frog City Café in Rayne.
In addition to visiting, reminising and catching up on family and friendships, the classmates and guests enjoyed a delicious entree from the restaurant’s lunch menu.
Reunion committee members were Thelma Martin, Ralph Stutes and Olita Matthews.
Classmates attended the reunion from Rayne, Branch, Lafayette, Madisonville, Ville Platte and Pasadena, Texas.
Classmates in attendance were Thelma Martin, Evelyn Sonnier Petitjean, Barbara Rousell Gossen, Olita Trahan Matthews, Josette Privat Delahoussaye, Ralph Stutes, Verna Navarre Kennedy, Aubrey Mire, Elwood Trahan and Hilton Quebodeaux.
