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Betty Harrington Gaspard

June 8, 1933 ~ October 10, 2021

COW ISLAND — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at St. Anne Catholic Church honoring the life of Betty Harrington Gaspard, 88, who passed away Sunday, October 10, 2021 at her home surrounded by family and friends. She will be laid to rest at St. Anne Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Barzare officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Garrett Marceaux, Noah Marceaux, Grant Frick, Noah Ashley, Ethan Bourque and Mason Frick.
Betty was employed and retired from Vermilion Parish School Board as a cafeteria technician between 1965 and 1990 for 25 years. She not only loved cooking and baking for her family and friends, but also extended this love to students and staff. She was forever deeply rewarded with love and respect by thousands of school staff and students whom she served not only their food trays but her smiles, laughter, wit, and genuine love. She especially loved her fellow co-workers with whom she gained lifelong friendships and many fond memories. Everyone loved “Miss Betty”. Betty also enjoyed her service as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 271.
She is survived by her two sons, Charles Gabriel Marceaux and Wayne Marceaux; her four daughters, Lana Marceaux, Vivian Marceaux, Priscilla Marceaux Martin and Mona Kay Marceaux; her 13 grand-children; her 34 great grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cleodis Harrington and the former Aurora Schexneider; one brother, Allen Ray Harrington; and nine sisters, Estelle Harrington, Alor Hebert, Nolia Broussard, Laurence Vincent, Ella Mae Harrington, Zula Dronet, Electa Hargrave, Imay Hollier and Wilda Duhon.
Betty’s family would like to extend thanks to Acadian Hospice, Lafayette for their services. Special thanks also to Betty’s “long-term” caregivers, Marella Guidry Roy and Cheryl Marceaux, their dedication and devotion was remarkable, as was their perseverance from day one throughout the ever changing physical and emotional demands of their journey.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for the church at 2:00 PM.
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 Gaspard family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

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Erath inductees are (left to right) Kayla Primeaux Soirez, Garlen Suire and Monica Blancas Broussard. (photo by Missy Rosa)

Erath High to induct three into Athletic Hall of Fame

The Erath High Hall of Fame Committee named the three athletes who are selected into the 2021 Erath High Athletic Hall of Fame.
Two played in the 1990s, while another played in the late 1960s.
They are Monica Blancas Broussard, Kayla Primeaux Soirez and Garlen Suire.
The induction ceremony will be held Thursday at the Community Center and they will be recoginized at Friday’s football game.

Monica Blancas Broussard

Monica Blancas Broussard is being inducted into the Erath High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Monica is a 1992 graduate of EHS. While at EHS, she was outstanding as a member of the girls’ track team.
In her sophomore year, she was district and parish champion in the 400-meter run (62.2).
She was a district champion hurdler. In addition, she was a member of the district, parish, and regional 880-meter relay team.
Monica was the district 400-meter, regional, and state runner-up in the 440 dash her junior year. She was also a member of the 800 meter and 1600 meter relay team. The 1600-meter relay team was composed of Amy Desormeaux, Nichole Powell and Stacy Guidry. They still hold the EHS record set in 1991(4:14.71).
She also ran on the regional champion mile relay team and the state runner-up team.
As an EHS senior, she captured the district and regional championship titles.
To this date, Monica still holds the EHS records in the 400-yard dash( 1:03.80) and the 400-meter dash (59.30).
Monica is the daughter of Ruben and Sandra Blancas of Erath. Monica is married to Bart Broussard, and they have two children: Alex, a senior at VC and Ali, an eighth-grader also at VC.
She has dental practice, Abbeville Family Dental, that she co-owns.

Kayla Primeaux Soirez

Kayla Primeaux Soirez is being inducted into the Erath High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Kayla is a 1999 graduate of EHS. While at Erath High, she was a standout member of the basketball team.
In her junior year, she was second-team all-parish, first-team Tech Area and first-team All-Area.
She was a Wendy’s High School Heisman Finalist.
She was a four-sport athlete at EHS.
In her senior year, she was second-team All-Parish in basketball.
In her sophomore year, she was a member of the AAU Junior Olympic Basketball Team.
Her senior year, she made first-team all parish as a member of the softball team. She was a member of the 4x400 relay team that set a parish record.
Kayla was a member of the Louisiana Track and Field Coaches Association Academic All-State Cross Country Track and Field team in cross country in 1998. In 1999, she was selected to the Academic All-State Girls Composite Team. Kayla received the Radio Shack Tandy Scholar’s Outstanding Student and the Academic Top two percent based on grades 9-11 award.
Kayla was a student council and class officer, a member of the Beta Club, Math Club, and the 1999 Class Salutatorian.
Kayla is the daughter of Dalton and Louisa Primeaux, both Erath High graduates. She is married to Jeremy Soirez and they have four boys: Cameron, 14; Mason, 12; Jackson, 9; and Logan, 6.

Garlen Suire

Garlen Suire, a 1969 graduate of EHS, is being inducted into the EHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
During his years at Erath, he was a standout in both football and track.
Garlen started his football career at Erath as an 8th grade when both schools were combined. He was a starter at the nose guard position under coach Willie Lutring. He went on to play offensive and defensive tackle, outside linebacker and nose guard.
He lettered five years in football.
During his senior year, he was an all parish all-star and outstanding all-district lineman.
His track accolades started his junior year. Garlen was district and parish champ in the shot put. He also placed third in the district and parish in the javelin.
In 1969, Garlen placed first in district, parish, regional, and state in the shot put in his senior year.
His state championship toss was 52’6, just two inches shy of the state record.
Gardens parents were “Big” John and Theresa Hebert Suire.
He is married to the former Jackie McClendon, since 1983.They have five children: Erica Lacoste, “Mickey” Herbert, Toni Suire, Dillon John Suire-Mire and Jessie Suire.
Upon graduation, Garlen was in the National Guard for six years.
He worked for Walker-Hnac workover from 1970-1974. During his time off, he and brother Byron started the construction of Big Johns Seafood Patio.
With Garlen boiling and “Big” John running operations, they opened the doors on Jan. 2, 1975.
In 2005, Wendy and Tommy became sole owners. Garlen retired in 2019 after six years with Bulldog Services.

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Erath cornerback Blake Dautreuil (8) celebrates with the Erath student body after Dautreuil ran back an interception for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Erath defense delivers when needed

They come up with three big second half defensive plays against Kaplan

ERATH - Offense, offense, and more offense. That is what usually comes up when one talks about the Erath Bobcats football team.
It is common to hear things like, “That Lynkon Romero kid can throw the football.”
“Who is Erath’s best receiver?”
Seldom does one talk about the Erath defense. The defense never gets mentioned because they have been giving up a lot of points each game. Yet, despite that, the Bobcats continue to win.
They have now won four straight, including Friday night’s 35-24 thriller against the Kaplan Pirates.
As usual, Romero and the offense did their part by scoring points. He threw for 218 yards and four touchdowns.
The EHS defense, however, came up with big plays when the game was on the line.
Three big defensive plays proved to be the difference in the game. All three occurred in the second half. They either resulted in a touchdown, or they stopped a touchdown.
The biggest defensive play of the game occurred with 2:51 left in the game. Erath sophomore cornerback Blake Dautreuil, who kept getting beat on the same screen pass thrown by Kaplan all night, decided he was going to stop it.
The Pirates went to the well too many times because Dautreuil stepped in front of Kaplan quarterback Grant Campbell’s short pass and ran it back 80 yards for a touchdown.
That TD gave Erath (5-1) needed insurance points with a 35-24 lead. Before the TD, EHS led 29-23.
It also got Dautreuil out of the dog house with the defensive coaches.
“They kept running the same play over and over,” said Dautreuil. “I just jumped it. I took it to the house. When I caught it, I saw the quarterback trying to catch me, but I knew I was burning him.”
Bobcats head coach Eric Leblanc admitted to getting on Dautreuil earlier in the game for not being in the position to take that play away.
“Blake is a young kid. I mean he is only a sophomore,” EHS head coach Eric Leblanc said. “I think he had read it great either the second to last time they ran it or the third to last time they ran it, but he tripped over the tight end. But in the end, they reran it, and he made the play. That was a big play.”
Erath’s second defensive big play occurred with eight minutes to play in the game.
The Pirates were driving the football and were down to the Bobcats’ six-yard line. On fourth down and goal from the six, Campbell pitched it to Kaplan’s Caden Campisi. He tried to string it to the outside, but cornerback Brett Suire stayed with him and stopped him for no gain, giving the football to Erath.
Suire said, “As a cornerback, my job on that play was to watch the edge. I had to make sure he (Campisi) did not get into the endzone. We stopped Kaplan for three straight downs. I did not want to give up the score.”
On the play, Suire said the best way to stop Campisi was to go low, which he did.
“When I saw he fell, I was pumped up. It was a big point in the game,” he said.
The Bobcats went ahead for good late in the third period when Romero threw a 9-yard TD pass to Coy Broussard. Broussard finished with three catches for 69 yards and three touchdowns.
The third biggest defensive play for EHS occurred a minute into the fourth period.
On a third down and 10, back on the Kaplan 26-yard line, Erath sophomore defensive lineman Ryan Fobbs had a huge sack that put the Pirates back to their 16-yard line and forced a punt.
The Bobcats took up shop on the Kaplan 42 yard line. On the next play, Romero completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Broussard and put Erath ahead, 29-17, with 10:25 to play in the game.

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Abbeville defenders Brandel Turner (19) and Tyler Cherry (18) team up to defend a St. Martinville receiver. (Photo by Michael Odendahl)

Abbeville’s rally falls short against Tigers

ST. MARTINVILLE - Abbeville’s five-game win streak to start the 2021 football season ended Thursday night as the Wildcats fell to St. Martinville Senior High in the District 6-3A opener for both teams.
But the Wildcats didn’t go down without a fight until, literally, the very end of the game.
Abbeville had two possessions on the St. Martinville side of the field in the last two minutes of the contest and at one point came within inches of pulling off the come-from-behind win. Still, both times the Tigers were able to thwart the challenge and come away with the 27-24 win knocking AHS to 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the district.”
“Our kids fought to the bitter end and fought like men. They fought to the last second when we had a pass hit us in the hands in the end zone/ I’m so proud of my kids that I want to cry, but I can’t because I don’t want them to. This may not have been a playoff game, but it was a playoff atmosphere.”
Down 27-12 at halftime, Abbeville rallied Down 27-12 at halftime, Abbeville rallied with two second-half touchdowns to pull within 27-24 with under 10 minutes left.
The Wildcats had two drives in the final minutes with a shot at scoring the game-winning touchdown and had it as Jaysen Shelvin’s pass into the endzone fell through the receiver\’s hands on the last gasp fourth downplay, and Abbeville suffered its first loss of the season.
“The difference in the game was mistakes,” Moy said. “We have some stuff to clean up. We’re not there yet. They’ve been there before, and we have some work to do.”
The game featured four touchdowns and four lead changes in the opening seven minutes of the contest.
Senior Blake Saddler again provided many of the fireworks for Abbeville.
He had two kickoff returns for touchdowns, and he ran for 174 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown run, and totaled more than 300 all-purpose yards for the Wildcats.
“We were talking for a week about nothing but 48 minutes,” Moy said. “All of our kids showed up Sunday to practice for this game because we knew we had a chance.”
Saddler gave them that chance.
The senior returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and then when SMSH took a 7-6 lead, he produced another kickoff 75 yards for a score to give Abbeville the lead at 12-7 in the first quarter.
Before Abbeville ran a single offensive play, Saddler had two touchdowns and the Wildcats had the lead twice. But after that 12-7 lead, St. Martinville scored 21 unanswered points to take a 27-12 lead going into halftime. In the end, it proved too much to come back from despite a rally in the second half.
Part of the mistakes that Moy talked about was an interception return for a score during that 21 point SMSH run and a missed touchdown chance in the second quarter on another interception.
In the third quarter, Saddler added a third touchdown to bring Abbeville back to within 27-18, and a Chad Nolan touchdown run in the fourth brought the Wildcats back to 27-24, setting up the last-minute attempts at pulling off the win.
After suffering its first loss of the season, Moy now has to get the team ready for another district game Friday when Crowley comes to town.
“I feel sorry for Crowley,” Moy said. “We’re going to come back angry. We know that we have some stuff to fix. But, we’re going to come back hungry and ready to start a new streak.”
Stats from the game:
Blake Saddler (14-174 TD), Jaysen Shelvin (9-32)Tyrese Willis (5-12) and Adam Nichols (1-4)

Receiving: Saddler 2-30, Chad Nolan 1-4 TD, Rylan Regan 1-4.

Passing: Shelvin 4/13, 38 yards, 1TD/2INT

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Eagles run-over Hanson

On Friday, the Vermilion Catholic Eagles racked up 479 yards of offense and cruised to a 56-20 district win over the Hanson Tigers (4-2).
It was a district opener for both clubs.
Hanson came into the game with four wins and one loss. But, despite their record, they could not stop the Eagles’ running game.
For the first time in years, the Eagles had two players rush for more than 150 yards.
For the third game in a row, VC freshman quarterback Jonathan Dartez rushed for more than 100 yards. He finished the night with 154 yards on 18 carries. He also scored three touchdowns.
Having a career night carrying the football was Seth Noegel. Noegel had six carries for 152 yards and three TDs. He averaged 25 yards a carry.
He had TD runs of 48 yards, 33 yards and 27 yards.
Dartez had TD runs of 6 yards, 5 yards and 23 yards.
At the 8:54 mark in the second quarter, Hanson was still in the game, down 21-20.
But then the Eagles scored the next 35 points to secure the victory.
Dartez attempted 13 passes and completed 6 for 93 yards and a TD.
Travin Moore had seven carries for 80 yards and one score. He averaged 11 yards a carry.
In the receiving department, Ethan Landry had the most catches with two for 12 yards.
Jyrin Bessard (1-47), Moore (1-32), and CJ Briggs (1-3) had the other catches.

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North Vermilion gets first win of the season

The North Vermilion Patriots exploded for 42 points and 544 yards of offense to get their first win of the season.
The Patriots (1-5) beat LaGrange 42-14 in a non-district game on Friday.
Benny Freeman had a career night by rushing for 224 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.
Tucker Denais also had a big night carrying the football for 130 yards on 16 carries.
NV threw the football, as well.
Logan Thompson completed nine of 25 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns,
In the first quarter, NVs Hunter Ricks caught a 40-yard TD pass. Ricks had three catches for 80 yards.
Ethan Guidry had three catches for 65 yards. Two of the catches were for touchdowns. He had an 18-yard and a 16-yard TD reception.
After the first quarter, NV led only 7-6.
Zack Necaise had a 48-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the second half. It is the second straight week NV defense returns a fumble for a touchdown. Ethan Frederick had a 64-yard TD fumble return last week.

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VEDA launches Community Job Board

ABBEVILLE – Pandemic-era issues are affecting business communities across the world. Employers are turning to age-old practices to solve new programs to limited success. That’s where the Vermilion Economic Development Alliance (VEDA) comes in. VEDA has launched an online community job board to help local companies connect with Vermilion Parish jobseekers.
“Our recent visits with the local community have reinforced our assumptions. Workforce recruitment remains a chief concern for many of our Vermilion Parish businesses. We are hoping a central location like our community job board will help attract talent and match them with local opportunities,” says Anne Falgout, VEDA Executive Director.
The new online job board is featured among VEDA’s other workforce development efforts. There, employers and jobseekers can find useful tools and make meaningful connections. Visit www.vermilionatwork.com for a list of local job opportunities or to advertise available positions at your business.

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Ashley Cormier

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Barbara LeMaire

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David Suire

Three make Abbeville High Hall of Fame

They are Cormier, Suire, LeMaire

The Abbeville High Hall of Fame Committee has selected three people to this year’s Abbeville High Hall of Fame class.
Two members are former AHS athletes, while the other is an honorary inductee.
The two athletes are David Suire and Ashley Cormier, while the honorary inductee is Barbara Gayle LeMaire, who helped create the AHS Hall of Fame.
They will be honored Thursday at a special ceremony at Magdalen Place in Abbeville and for the football game on Friday at halftime.

David Suire

David Francis Suire is the son and third child of Ronald Francis Suire and Lydia Kay DeCuir, born in Abbeville on January 6, 1977.
His two older sisters are Christina Dayries and Mitzi Dohrman. Before starting kindergarten, David’s family moved to Meaux.
While growing up, he participated in the seasonal sports of baseball, basketball, and football with his friends, later adding track in junior high.
Once in junior high at North Vermilion, David decided to focus on football as his main sport after playing on the varsity football team as an 8th grader.
After a fire at his family home in Meaux, David moved to Abbeville. He moved to Abbeville High at the start of his sophomore year, when AHS was in District 5-4A.
While only being at Abbeville for three years (1993-1995), David was able to excel in the new Wing-T offense installed by new head coach Gerald Laughlin, starting as an offensive right guard for three years.
David also was the starting linebacker his senior year. In his very last football game, a quarterfinal loss to John Curtis out of New Orleans, David only left the field for two plays proving how versatile a player he was.
While not being the biggest, fastest, or strongest, David was very technical in his approach to football and track, always working on technique.
This technical approach allowed him to maximize his abilities, and was recognized with several honors.
As a sophomore, David was named to the 1st Team All-Parish and 2nd Team All-District as an offensive guard. As a junior, he was named to the 2nd Team All-Parish, 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Acadiana, Honorable Mention All-State by the AP, and 1st Team All-State by the Coach’s Poll.
As a senior, he was named to the 1st Team All-Parish, 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Acadiana, and Honorable Mention All-State by the Sports Writers All-State Team.
David participated in the shot put, javelin, high jump, and long jump in track, but his specialty was the discus. As a senior, he was the district champion in the discus, throwing a personal best of 145 feet, 10 inches, and would make it to the state track meet in Baton Rouge.
His accomplishments did not end on the field. David was named to the Class 4A Academic All-State Football Team his senior year.
After graduating from Abbeville High, David decided to focus on academics and not play college football. Instead, he attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Since graduating from ULL, David has worked in the oilfield, traveling as far as Brazil and Alaska’s North Slope.
As of 2021, David lives in Katy, TX. He is married to Amanda Menard Suire from Maurice and has three great children, Kennedy, Nicholas, and Allie.
David would like to thank all his coaches, especially his father, Ronald Suire, uncle, Matt Suire, Gerald Laughlin, James Gaspard and Brent Indest for helping guide him not only as an athlete but also in life.

Ashley Renee Cormier

Ashley Renee Cormier, a 2002 graduate of Abbeville High School, was born October 29, 1983, to Shelton and Anita Cormier. Ashley has two brothers Harold and Shannon, who excelled in sports and one sister Shelly Cormier who participated in Band. In addition, Ashley has one handsome son Ashton Reion Cormier who is 12 years old and is in the 7th grade at J. H. Williams Middle School.
Ashley played multiple sports at Abbeville High School, making First team honors in four different sports. During her sophomore year, her track coach (Karen Peacock) convinced her to run cross country to make her stronger for her sprint races for track and Ashley ended up placing in 3rd place in the district, which qualified her to run at the state meet.
Her junior year, Ashley was the 100 meter and 200-meter district champion and competed at the state meet.
In fastpitch, her softball her junior year, the Lady Wildcats went 18-11 in Class 4A under Coaches Mark Suire and Bill Sturgis.
Ashley earned MVP of the parish, all-district and all-state awards that year.
In basketball, her senior year, she was the only senior and averaged 16 points a game while earning 1st Team all-district honors.
Ashley led the Lady Wildcat’s basketball team to the playoffs but lost in the second round under basketball head coach Laura Lebouef.
In addition to the all parish, all-district and all state honors, Ashley was named Abbeville High School Female Athlete of the Year both her junior and senior year.
She volunteered her time as a water girl for the AHS football team when not participating in sports.
Ashley went on to sign a basketball scholarship with Louisiana State University at Eunice, where she earned Offensive and Defensive MVP honors as a freshman. She graduated from LSUE with an associate degree in General Studies.
Ashley is now a certified biller and coder and has worked for LHC group as a Business Manager for six years.

Barbara Gayle LeMaire

Barbara Gayle moved to Abbeville in 1956 as a freshman and attended all four years of high school in Abbeville, and graduated from Abbeville High School in 1960.
“I have many fond and lasting memories of my years at Abbeville High, she said. “I was very involved in many school activities and clubs. Most of the students and my classmates have remained close to my heart, like family. I cannot say enough about my years at Abbeville High, from the principals, the faculty, and students and classmates who were so considerate and caring. We were all like one big happy family.
“One of my best memories was being selected as a cheerleader and being a Wildcat member.”
She is a proud parent of two children: Gerald D. Libersat Jr. (deceased) and a daughter Lisa Ann Libersat. One of her greatest treasures her two grandsons, Brooks, and his wife Darian, who live in Iowa, LA. and Barret, an architect in Austin, TX.
In 1974, she married Teddy LeMaire.
In 1976 she had the honor and privilege to serve on the first-ever Abbeville High School Hall of Fame Screening Committee.
In 1977, the Abbeville High School Hall of Fame held its first induction ceremony - Thomas “T-Tom” Broussard and Lovic “Tiny” Touchet.
She had the privilege and honor of being responsible for hosting the AHS Hall of Fame Induction Social the Thursday evening before Homecoming.
In early 1977, she met with AHS Principal Cecil Picard concerning a room for the Hall of Fame. An empty glass room at the front entrance was available, and construction began for the new home for the AHS Hall of Fame.
Over the past 44 years, the space has become packed with Hall of Fame memorabilia,
Today the AHS Hall of Fame room has pictures and stories of more than 50 Hall of Fame Inductees and 20 Honorary Hall of Fame Inductees.
Donald Chauvin and Harris “Libby” LeBlanc (deceased) are honored as Special Inductees for the extra work, service, and dedication to the Hall of Fame process.
“My heartfelt appreciation and gratitude go out to the AHS Hall of Fame, the Nominating, Selection and Screening Committee members,” she said. “I am honored and very humbled for this honor you have bestowed upon me. It was my privilege and honor to give my time and dedication to honor all the great athletes and students who have made Abbeville High School what it is today.
“It is my esteemed honor and privilege to be selected to be among these great people. Go Wildcats!”

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Darrel James Barras

DELCAMBRE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mr. Darrel James Barras age 78 on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 AT 2:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lake Catholic Church. Father BrianarHarr Harrington will officiate at the services. Military Honorswill be conducted by Iberia Veteran’s Honor Guard. Inurnment will be held privately at a later date.
Visitation will be held from Tuesday, October 12th at Evangeline Funeral Home in Delcambre from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m with a rosary at 11:00 am.
A native of Vermilion Parish and long time resident of Delcambre, Darrel Barras passed away at 3:20 pm on Sunday, October 3rd at Maison Du Monde nursing home in Abbeville, LA. As a child, Darrel was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clovis Landry, as well as his, Aunt Rena and Uncle Allen Delcambre, with their children Michael Delcambre, Patricia (Patty) Delcambre Viator, Darcy Delcambre and Sara Delcambre Boudreaux due to his mother’s passing when he was two years old.
In high school Darrel was a star running back for the Delcambre High Panthers. He also served his country honorably in the US Army as well as a member of the Army Football team. Afterwards he worked on the shrimp boats for many years with his brother and other family members and in the oil field at Gulf Coast Marine in Abbeville.
Darrel had a passion for politics and was involved in the political process his entire life. He followed his dream of running for public office in his hometown of Delcambre. Although he was never elected, he came within a few dozen votes of winning Mayor of Delcambre and in a later election carried the town when he ran for State Representative. That was only the beginning of his involvement in politics. He spent the rest of his life helping others who sought public office to get elected including a long list of Councilmen, Mayors, Sheriffs, District Attorneys, Judges, Representatives, Senators, public servant Commissioners, Congressman and even Governors. When election time would come those well studied candidates who understood the political landscape would always seek out Darrel Barras for support, If he decided to support a particular candidate in a race, it was well known that candidate was probably going to be successful and almost certainly carry the advantage in the town of Delcambre.
He served as a Legislative Assistant for former Representative Ted Haik and former Senator Troy Hebert. He was current State Representative and House Majority Leader Blake Miguez’s, Legislative Assistant until the time of his death.
Darrel was sworn in and served as a special agent with the Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control-ATC. Darrel worked many nights and weekends across the state ensuring Compliance of State Law.
“Barras” as many people called him was well known throughout the Acadiana region and the entire state. When he would walk into many establishments you could hear patrons call his name out loud in joy. He was always willing to help those in need and strangers could not help but like him as soon as they met him.
Mr. Barras is survived by his brother Gerald Barras of Delcambre, half-sister Rosemary Delahoussaye and husband Larry of St. Martinville, half-sister Lily Barras and half-brother Felix Kent Barras, sister-in-law Betty Barras of Delcambre, longtime partner Jane Vice of Coteau, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Lily Landry Barras, Stepmother Elrena Barras, grandparents Clovis and Bertha Touchet Landry, Uncle Allen and Aunt Rena Landry Delcambre, sisters Mona Faye Barras, Belva Barras and husband Bradley Landry, Anna Barras Viator and husband AJ Viator, brother Donald Barras and half-brothers Vernon and John Barras.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Sonny Moss, Councilman Aaron Trahan, Kenneth Roy, Lieutenant Governor Paul Hardy, Judge Ned Doucet, Representative Ted Haik, Judge Dickie Haik, Senator Oswald Decuir, Judge Tommy Bienvenu, Richard Putnam, Sheriff Mike Couvillion, Representative Blake Miguez, Delcambre Mayor Pam Blakely, Police Chief James Broussard, Parish Councilman Joe Baudoin, Judge Roger Hamilton, Brian Broussard, Judge Ed Broussard, District Attorney Mike Harson, and Senator Troy Hebert.
To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.

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Birth Announcements for Oct. 10, 2021

Halli Gray Trahan
A daughter, Halli Gray Trahan, was born on August 18, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Keigan Hanks and Case Trahan of Gueydan.

AnnMarie Kate Richard
A daughter, AnnMarie Kate Richard, was born on August 24, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Richard of Kaplan. The mother is the former Alaina Rung.

Kash Joseph Gaspard
A son, Kash Joseph Gaspard, was born on August 25, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Taylor Delahoussaye and Hunter Gaspard of Erath.

Phoenix Angelle Levine
A daughter, Phoenix Angelle Levine, was born on August 25, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Levine of Abbeville. The mother is the former Camealita Minix.

Tucker Jude Reaux
A son, Tucker Jude Reaux, was born on August 31, 2021, at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Drew Reaux of Erath. The mother is the former Tabby Romero.

Jaci Ann Vincent
A daughter, Jaci Ann Vincent, was born on September 1, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Jace Vincent of Maurice. The mother is the former Paige Suire.

Kyrin Kohl Hutchins
A son, Kyrin Kohl Hutchins, was born on September 1, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Ashley Landry and Kenneth Hutchins of Abbeville.

Zion Sakari Hebert
A daughter, Zion Sakari Hebert, was born on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Abbeville General to Mr. and Mrs. Jared Jovan Hebert of Abbeville. The mother is the former Zion Jacqualin Chisolm.

Della Mae Hoffpauir
A daughter, Della Mae Hoffpauir, was born on September 7, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s and Children’s Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Drake Hoffpauir of Erath. The mother is the former Malani Husband.

Kay’Moni Alyce Chavis
A daughter, Kay’Moni Alyce Chavis, was born on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Abbeville General to Bria Tashae Tardy and Demontrevon Dejavon Keonte Chavis of Abbeville.

Hudson Joseph Gary
A son, Hudson Joseph Gary, was born on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Abbeville General to Mr. and Mrs. Kevin James Gary, Jr., of Erath. The mother is the former Teirrany Mikel Peltier.

Ty’Leigh Dakota Erin Judge
A daughter, Ty’Leigh Dakota Erin Judge, was born on Monday, September 13, 2021, at Abbeville General to Shakeria Jarnae’ Judge of Abbeville.

Artemis Lane Menard
A son, Artemis Lane Menard, was born on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Abbeville General to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Joseph Menard of Abbeville. The mother is the former Natasha Nicole Duplantis.

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Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

The Kaplan Herald

219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548