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January 12, 1951 ~ August 12, 2018

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday August 17, 2018 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Paul Robert Miller, 67, who died Sunday August 12, 2018 at Ochsner Medical Center. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with his first cousin Reverend Steve LeBlanc officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Paul Robert Miller, Jr., Seth Fenwick Miller, Dr. Weston P. Miller III, James O’Neal, Benjamin Guidry, E. Marshall Sellers, III, Bill LeBlanc, Charlie Beckett, and Chris Saunier. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Weston P. Miller IV, Ronnie Guidry, Bryan Simon and Bang Bui. Gift Bearers will be Phallie Miller, Eleanor Miller and Andrea M. O’Konski.
Paul was the Owner of Ramm Printers, a business founded by his father, where he worked along side his mother for many years. He was a member of the Abbeville Kiwanis Club and served in many capacities. He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed coaching little league baseball and basketball. Most of all, he was a passionate LSU football fan who loved game days spent with his children, family and friends. He was quick to lend a helping hand where ever he was needed. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his sons, Paul Robert Miller, Jr., Seth Fenwick Miller; daughter Mary Phallie Scroggin Miller; their mother Kathleen Sellers Miller; grandchildren Eleanor Rose and Elijah Archer Miller; brother, Dr. Weston P. Miller, III; sisters, Marcia O’Neal and her husband James; Mary Kay Guidry; godchildren, Andrea M. O’Konski, Benjamin J. Guidry, E. Marshall Sellers III; and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom fondly referred to him as Parrainé Paul.
He was preceded in death by his father Weston Peter Miller, Sr. and his mother Hazel LeBlanc Miller.
In lieu of flowers the family request donation be made to American Heart Association American Stroke Association PO Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home, Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Friday, August 17, 2018 from 9:00 AM until 10: 45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
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.

School began last Thursday here in Vermilion Parish. The hallways and desks gained new occupants as new students and teachers began their first lessons of the 2018-2019 school year.
LeBlanc Elementary gained a new teacher this year, Amy Thibodeaux, who is teaching fourth grade, Writing, Language and Social Studies and is partnered up with another teacher who will be teaching Math and Science.
Thibodeaux plans to be a supportive and loving teacher who wants to give her students not only an education but knowledge about what it means to be considerate, loving and respectful.
“I don’t support bullying” she says, “being disabled myself gives me strength, so I want to show them that I am a person that is capable of many things even though I may seem different to them.”
Thibodeaux has Cerebral Palsy. She says that growing up, her family was supportive and loving at all times, as well as her teachers. She recalls her third grade teacher, Mrs. Gautier at S.J. Montgomery giving her daily compliments, not about how she was doing academically, but how she was as a person, saying things such as ‘You have such beautiful long eyelashes’ or ‘You are so kind.’ Thibodeaux says that little things like that inspired her to do the same for children when she grew up.
Growing up with a disability could lead to many issues with self confidence and perception.
In fact, according to disabled-world.com people often experience more than four stages of adjustment to a physical disability which include, but are not limited to anxiety, depression, externalized aggression and adjustment.
Instead of thinking that she could not accomplish her dream of becoming a teacher, her disability inspired her to work diligently into changing statistics and showing other people who feel as if they cannot accomplish what they may want that it is indeed possible.
“My students, I hope, will smile when they understand my story, instead of frowning” she says, “and my first day proved just that.” On Thursday, Thibodeaux shared with her class the reason they may notice that she walks differently and assured them that it was okay for them to ask questions about it. “I feel like I was able to relate to them and that made my first day even more special.”
Along with the support of her family and teachers in grade school, she has admired many of her professors during her time at ULL. Dr. Lucy Begnaud, who is newly retired, taught Thibodeaux so many great things and credits her for being a huge part in making her a great teacher, as well as many other teachers who mentored her during her student-teaching experience at LeBlanc.
“My first day of teaching, I was so nervous” she says, “From watching someone do all of the procedures to actually doing them yourself was a small adjustment for me, an adjustment that is well worth it.”
Thibodeaux makes it clear that she wants anyone and everyone to be inspired by her story. She wants to build a foundation of great teachers, teachers who understand children, children who understand diversity and communities who welcome ‘difference.’
“I want my students to feel comfortable enough to confide in me” she says, “whether it be something personal, or just a little help with an assignment or information.”
Teachers are the gateway to success, building a strong relationship with your students, building their confidence, and seeing students helping other students is a great way to start spreading love, kindness, and making strong and capable adults, no matter what may slow them down.

March 27, 1972 ~ August 11, 2018

ABBEVILLE — On Saturday, August 11, 2018, Ryan Kenneth Rabalais passed away at the age of 46 at the Heart Hospital of Lafayette, surrounded by his loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church.
He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Andre Metrejean officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Leighton Rabalais, Ashton Rabalais, Richard Rabalais, Jim Buchanan, Brett Bourque and Todd Allemand. Honorary pallbearers will be Vince Romero, Gene Guidry and Lyle Winch.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son and brother. He lived for and protected his family. To those who knew him, he was a hard working, kind, generous and loving person. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He enjoyed crawfishing with his sons, fishing and duck hunting. He loved drawing and bringing his creations to life. He was a man of many talents. He loved hard and lived hard. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him. He fought a good fight but was taken too soon.
Ryan leaves his memory to be cherished by his wife of 21 years, Jill Rabalais of Abbeville; his parents, Mr. Richard Rabalais of Lafayette; mother, Mrs. Sandra Cranche Lopez of Jennings; sons, Leighton and Ashton Rabalais; sister, Mrs. Claire (Brett) Bourque; godmother, Mrs. Paul Cranche, Jr; and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Percy and Ophelia Rabalais; maternal grandparents, Marshall and Catherine LeBourgeois Cranche; and godfather, Mr. Ray Cranche, Sr.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Monday, August 13, 2018 from 1:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Tuesday, August 14, 2018 from 8:00 AM until 10:45 AM when the procession departs for the church.
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.

Karleigh Kaye Touchard
A daughter, Karleigh Kaye Touchard, was born Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at Abbeville General to Staley Alisse Vincent and Devin Keith Touchard of Erath.

Daliyah Marshae’ Plowden
A daughter, Daliyah Marshae’ Plowder, was born Saturday, August 4, 208, at Abbeville General to Kristina Alexis Duhon and Terry Glenn Plowden, Jr. of Abbeville.

Avia Marie Wood
A daughter, Avia Marie Wood, was born Thursday, August 2, 2018, at Abbeville General to Susan Elizabeth Stelly and Whitney Joseph Wood of Abbeville.

Kinsley Kay Richardson
A daughter, Kinsley Kay Richardson, was born July 25, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Kacey Richardson

Ezekiel Joseph Richard
A son, Ezekiel Joseph Richard, was born July 21, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Mr. and Mrs. Scott Richard of Abbeville
The mother is the former Dawn Harrington.

Rowyn James Gibson
A son, Rowyn James Gibson, was born July 16, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Dominque Delcambre and James Gibson, Jr. of Erath.

Kai’zley Saraih Rankin
A daughter, Kai’zley Saraih Rankin, was born July 13, 2018, at Women’s and Children’s to Ve’Kaya Charles and Jacolby Rankin of New Iberia.

Rhett Joseph Fournet
A son, Rhett Joseph Fournet, was born Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at Abbeville General to Lauren Elizabeth Heenan and Jason Lee Fournet of Erath.

Aveah Jevon Charles
A daughter, Aveah Jevon Charles, was born Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at Abbeville General to Candace Nicole Breaux and Demetrich Jevon Charles of Kaplan. .

Journee Mae Duhon
A daughter, Journee Mae Duhon, was born Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at Abbeville General to Katie Lynn Landry and Donald Ray Duhon of Abbeville.

McKenley Skye Jones
A daughter, McKenly Skye Jones, was born Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at Abbeville General to Micole Danae Jones of Abbeville.