Ray Morvant, pillar of Kaplan community, passes away

October 19, 1936 ~ May 14, 2021

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 PM on Monday, May 17, 2021, at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Ray Morvant, 84, who passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, May 14, 2021. He will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Lance Romero, Adam Magee, Andrew Morvant, Jonathan Morvant, Alexander Morvant, and Jake Morvant.
Ray was born on October 19, 1936, to Onedias Morvant and the former Nella Hebert in Milton, Louisiana, and grew up in a French-speaking household in Abbeville with his two brothers. He graduated high school at Abbeville High and the following year married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Marylin DeMarcy. Together they raised four children in Kaplan. In their 62 years of marriage Marylin and Ray had various business interests, including their State Farm Insurance Agency, which he started in 1962 and remained active in until his death. He served as a police juror for Vermilion Parish for 10 years and was active in local and state politics his entire life. He was also active in civic organizations, including the Jaycees and Rotary Club.
At an early age, Ray loved to sing and he loved country music, his favorites being Hank Williams and Ray Price. In 1960 he befriended Ray Price at one of Ray’s shows, and they remained lifelong friends until Price’s death. He often entertained them and their entire band at his home.
Later in life Ray developed an interest in knife making. He excelled at this hobby and many people were blessed to get one as a gift. This was something he really loved. He also loved making people laugh, and leaves behind a legacy of jokes and one-liners that many will remember.
Ray, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, will be forever missed by his loving children, Hank Morvant and his wife, Sena, Suzette and her husband, James Magee, Kelly Morvant and his wife, Dawn and Jason Morvant and his wife, Kristen; ten grandchildren, Lance, Adam, Andrew, Michelle, Caroline, Jonathan, Alexander, Jake, Gabrielle, and Kate; ten great grandchildren; one brother, James Morvant; and many sisters and brothers-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marylin; his parents, Onedias and Nella Morvant; and one brother, John Morvant.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 6:30 PM; Monday, May 17, 2021 from 10:00 AM until 2:15 PM when the procession will depart for the church.
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 Morvant family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.