RSS Feed

December 11, 1961 - May 31, 2018

KAPLAN — Funeral services were held at on Monday, June 4, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Allen Dale Sanchez, 56, who died Thursday, May 31, 2018.
He was laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Pastor Jacob Aranza officiating the services.
Serving as pallbearers were Ritchie Sanchez, Ray Duhon, Jr., Jake Fruge, Jr., Carl Sanchez, Donald “Donnie” Sanchez, Kent Abshire, Cody Sanchez, and Ed Duhon. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles “Bo” Sanchez, Robert Sanchez, Tommy Sanchez, Clyde Sanchez, Tim Turnage, and Pete Vaughn.
Allen proudly worked in the oilfield and he always reminded his family of the reason why he would put in long hours; that reason being the love he had for his family and the joy of being with his co-workers. Allen’s children and grandchildren were his pride and joy.
His words of encouragement were to never give up and one day, all of your dreams will come true. He was a man of great faith, loved to laugh, and make others laugh with him.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, siblings, cousins, children, grandchildren, family, friends, and his loving wife, Donna. Truly Heavens gain.
While Allen’s home going was an unexpected medical emergency, make no mistake, his days as well as ours are numbered by God. Allen Sanchez fulfilled 56 years of his God given purpose on Earth.
Job 14:5 “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.”
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Donna Hargrave Sanchez; his son, Ritchie Miguel Sanchez and his wife Kayla of El Cajon, CA; two daughters, Maria Sanchez Duhon and her husband, Ray Duhon, Jr. of Kaplan and Mitzi Sanchez Fruge and her husband, Jake Fruge, Jr. of Broussard; three grandchildren, Madison Claire Mouton, Makayla Mari Mouton, and Malanna Rae Duhon; four sisters, Mary Faye Smith of Deville, LA, Nita Ann Hicks of Deville, LA, Patricia “Pat” Paul and her husband, Raymond of Pineville, and Peggy Lee Sanchez of Pine Prairie; six brothers, Carl Sanchez and his wife, Pat of Keithville, LA, Charles “Bo” Sanchez and his wife, Lorraine of Woodlawn, LA, Donald Ray “Donnie” Sanchez and his wife, Brunella of Lacassine, Robert Fred Sanchez of Poland, LA, Tommy Sanchez of Alexandria, and Clyde Sanchez and his wife Everett of Turkey Creek.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony Sanchez and the former Mary Jewel Donaghey and his brother, Calvin Joe “Toogie” Sanchez.
All funeral arrangements were being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Sanchez family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

August 29, 1955 ~ May 31, 2018

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Melanie Ann Gaspard Cavalier, 62, who died Thursday, May 31, 2018 at her residence. She will be buried at a later date in Abshire Cemetery.
Melanie’s friends and family enjoyed her great skill and enthusiasm for home cooking and baking every type of food. She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, and fruit trees. Loved spending time alongside her husband reading the bible and listening to country music.
Melanie is survived by her husband of 25 years, Mark Cavalier, Sr.; three sons, Rickey Cessac, Jr. and his wife, Christina of Erath, Mark Cavalier, Jr. and his wife Tiffany of Abbeville, and Francis Cavalier and his wife, Simone of Abbeville; two daughters, Christine Cessac and her partner, Keith Segura of Erath, and Raven Keooudone and her husband, Kham Kong of Youngsville; sister, Donna Libersat of Perry; eight grandchildren; and twelve great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis Gaspard and the former Edna Marie Castro; two brothers, Mark Gaspard and Francis Gaspard; son, Paul "PJ" Cavalier; and father-in-law, Lucien "LJ" Cavalier.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 9:00 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.

Jaimie L. Hebert, PhD. has been named provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
An Abbeville High School graduate, Hebert holds a bachelor’s, a master’s and a doctorate – all in statistics – from UL Lafayette. He received his bachelor’s in 1986, master’s in 1988 and doctorate in 1990.
He was most recently president of Georgia Southern University. In that role, he led the University System of Georgia’s consolidation of Georgia Southern University with Armstrong State University.
Before his appointment as Georgia Southern president, Hebert was Sam Houston State University’s provost and vice president of Academic Affairs from 2011 to 2016.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Hebert home,” said UL President Joseph Savoie, PhD. “In addition to his solid higher education credentials, he already is familiar with UL Lafayette’s mission and values. He shares our Ragin’ Cajun spirit.”
“I’m thrilled to return to my alma mater, bringing with me 28 years of experience,” Hebert said. “The University gave me my start and to come back to work at UL Lafayette is rewarding for me personally and professionally.
“UL Lafayette is an extraordinary institution. I’m looking forward to working with the faculty and academic administrators to continue the great progress that the University has seen over the last few decades.”
Hebert will replace David Danahar, PhD., who has served as interim provost at UL Lafayette since Fall 2016. He was not a candidate for the vacancy created by the January 2016 departure of James Henderson, PhD.
Danahar will remain at the University as senior adviser to the president.
“I share the appreciation of many for Dr. Danahar’s contributions over the past two years advancing the University,” Savoie said. “I’m pleased he’ll continue working at the University.”
At Sam Houston State University, Hebert was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2005 to 2011, and chair and professor of statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics from 1999 to 2005. He was an assistant and associate professor of statistics there from 1995 to 1999.
Hebert was an assistant professor of mathematical science at Appalachian State University from 1990 to 1995.
His appointment as UL Lafayette’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs is effective July 1, pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.