Newly elected Abbeville city councilman suddenly passes away

Newly elected Abbeville Councilman Neal Richard passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday morning at his home in Abbeville.
Visitation will be held at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on June 13, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Neal will be laid to rest at Saint Paul Cemetery in Abbeville.
Richard, 58, was the second-generation owner of Richard Meat Market on Park Avenue, located across the street from Park Restaurant.
He took over the business 30 years ago, when his father retired. His father, Otis “Smokey” Richard, opened the business.
On May 16, Richard, husband and father of five children, was elected to the Abbeville City Council in District A.
He was expected to be sworn in at the end of June and take office on July 1.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Councilman-elect Neal Richard, a business owner and lifelong resident of Vermilion Parish,” Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White said. “Neal’s interest in serving our community was one he had long considered, and his overwhelming victory on May 16 stands as a testament to the love and respect he earned across our community.
“He led a life centered around family, and his vision was one of unity, grounded by his values of honesty, integrity and dependability. His generally kind soul and love for our community will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.
“Please join me, the Abbeville City Council, and the entire City of Abbeville Team in praying for our friend and colleague, Neal Richard, his family, friends, and the Richard’s Meat Market family.”
Abbeville’s newly elected mayor, Anita Levy, was saddened to learn of Richard’s death.
“From what I heard about him, he was a great guy,” said Levy. “My prayers go out to his family.”
A special election in the next few months will be held to elect a councilperson for District A.
The state will decide when that special election will take place. It could be anywhere from three to six months.
In the meantime, at the new council’s first meeting in July, a temporary replacement for Richard is expected to be named.
The person must live in District A and will earn a salary as a new councilperson until a special election is held.
There are statewide and local elections scheduled for November.