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February 24, 1959 ~ February 10, 2019

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at New Beginnings Primitive Baptist Church honoring the life of John Allen Williams, 59, who passed away peacefully Sunday, February 10, 2019 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at Shiloh Baptist Cemetery with Pastor Ernest Williams officiating the services.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Terry Mouton Williams of Kaplan; his son, Adrian Blake Williams and his wife, Camille of Kaplan; one daughter, Jade Williams McGowen and her husband, Dorian of Houston, TX; nine grandchildren, Kinzlee, Paizlee, and Zavier Williams, A’Maiah, Remi, Peyton, Asia, Braylen, and Baleigh McGowen; his mother, Elizabeth Hunter Williams; three sisters, Elizabeth Williams Rudd of Kaplan, Ann Katherine Williams of Kaplan, and Mary Soloman of Kaplan; and four brothers, Joseph Williams of Kaplan, Anthony Paul Williams of Kaplan, Stanley Williams of Kaplan, and Edward Williams of Fort Walton, FL.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Williams Sr.; three brothers, Kenneth Williams, Ernest Williams II, and Leo Williams; one sister, Edna Williams Campbell; and one nephew, Demetris Williams.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at New Beginnings Primitive Baptist Church, 622 E. Veterans Memorial Drive, on Thursday, February 14, 2019 from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM.
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 Williams family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

January 23, 1933 ~ February 9, 2019

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services will be held at 3:45 PM on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Dorothy Hardy Toups, 86, who died Saturday, February 9, 2019 at her residence. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Rene’ Pellissier officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Keman McGee, Tylor Richard, Brennan Lombes, Dylan Lombes, Bryce Toups, and Drake Toups. Honorary pallbearers will be Karl McGee, Michael Carr, and Elridge Noel.
She was very active with American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Bradley J. Toups and wife, Dawn of Tennessee, and Dwayne Toups and wife, Cheryl of Meaux; one daughter, Janet McGee and husband, Karl of Meaux; one sister, Bertha Hardy of Abbeville; seven grandchildren, Courtney Carr, Brittany Toups, Bryce Toups, Drake Toups, Carlee Toups, Millicent Noel, and Keman McGee and seventeen great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dudley Toups; and her parents, Wilfred Hardy, and the former Hilda Adams.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 from 9:00 AM until 3:45 PM with a rosary being prayed at 2:00 PM.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Donna Martin, Jennifer, Katie, and Julie “Hope Grace” of Hope Hospice and Dr. Leleux.
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.

The search is on for a new Vermilion Parish School Board attorney.
On Thursday, school board attorney Kathy Boudreaux turned in her letter of resignation to superintendent Jerome Puyau.
She told Puyau her private attorney business in Lafayette has increased, so she wants to concentrate on her business.
The timing of Boudreaux quitting could not have come at a worse time because the school board and superintendent are involved in litigations.
Boudreaux’s hiring got off to a rocky start over the summer. Puyau hired her to replace attorney Woody Woodruff, who retired from the school board.
The school board objected to Puyau hiring Woodruff’s replacement because the school board wanted to research hiring a law firm from Baton Rouge to furnish the school board with a lawyer.
When Woodruff was hired by the school board more than 10 years ago, the school board created a unique position and also named Woodruff the school system’s risk manager, as well as the school system’s attorney.
The law says that the superintendent has the power to hire and fire school employees. Puyau hired Boudreaux based on the law, he said.
Before the new school board was sworn in last month, the old school board filed a lawsuit against Puyau for hiring Boudreaux.
Puyau’s attorney Lane Roy is now asking the lawsuit be dismissed since Boudreaux is quitting.
Puyau informed the school board members of Boudreaux’s resignation. The school board has already begun advertising for the position.

By: Darryl Richardelle

Three festival queens representing Vermilion Parish and the surrounding areas recently attended the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians Mardi Gras Ball in Washington D.C.
Sydney Bertrand of Kaplan, Sydney Richardelle of Erath, and Cassie Aloisio of Morgan City represented their respective festivals at the 71st annual event held in the nation’s capital.
Sydney Paige Bertrand is the 68th Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen. She is the 17-year-old daughter of Patches Bell and Darryl Bertrand of Kaplan. Sydney is currently a senior at Kaplan High School where she is a cheerleader and was a member of the 2018 homecoming court. After graduation, Sydney plans on attending Nicholls State University in Thibodaux to major in biology. A fun fact concerning Syd’s title is that she is the youngest Delcambre Shrimp Queen on record. She surpassed the minimum age requirement for contestants by only two days.
Sydney Marie Kay Richardelle is the 60th Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival Queen. She is the 23-year-old daughter of Darryl and Lisa Richardelle of Erath. Sydney is a 2014 graduate of Erath High School and a 2018 graduate of Nicholls State University. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in higher education administration at Nicholls. She is employed as an area coordinator in the dormitory system at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.
Cassie Kay Aloisio is the 70th Louisiana Cattle Festival Queen. She is the 19-year-old daughter of Amico and Anna Aloisio of Morgan City. A 2017 graduate of Morgan City High School, she is currently a sophomore at LSU in Baton Rouge majoring in Pre-Med. Upon graduation, she plans to attend medical school at Texas A&M.
The four day event entitled “Louisiana: A High Note” was held at the Washington Hilton. After a royal breakfast at the governor’s mansion and a quick, charter flight to D.C., the girls enjoyed a steak dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
Louisiana’s best foods provided by vendors from around the state were the main attraction on the second night. This was a tasty mixer which allowed the queens and their guests to sample foods from the state’s various festivals. It also gave the girls an opportunity to meet many dignitaries from around Louisiana and Washington D. C.
Twenty-three festival queens and thirty-seven krewe princesses were introduced at a formal dinner on the third night. The main event occurred on the final evening. All festival queens were presented in full, formal regalia. They paraded around the ball room wearing crowns, banners, trains, and mantles. The Krewe of Louisianians then put on its mini-Mardi Gras parade. Krewe members rode mini-floats and walked through the ballroom while showering their guests with beads, stuffed animals, and keepsakes.
A traditional call-out dance was held for specially selected guests of members. This year’s King and Queen were Ray Brandt of New Orleans and Alexandra Reese Pharr of Lafayette.
Dignitaries in attendance included Governor John Bel Edwards, Senators Dr. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, and Congressman Clay Higgins.
Along with the Mardi Gras festivities, the queens and their guests enjoyed many sightseeing opportunities. Queens were given a private tour of the capitol building where they were able to meet their state senators and district representatives. Festival royalty were also given a snowy tour of Arlington National Cemetery where they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They were also able to visit the National Archives where they saw the original Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Other historic destinations included Ford’s Theater (site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination), the World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument.
Bertrand, Richardelle, and Aloisio will next represent their festivals at the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals (LAFF) Queen’s Pageant and Convention to be held February 21 – 23 in Baton Rouge.