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June 9, 1968 - February 2, 2025

ERATH – Funeral services will be conducted for Joan Toups, age 56, on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Frioux-David Funeral Home Chapel in Erath. Burial will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery in Erath.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m.
A native and lifelong resident of Erath, surrounded by the love of her family, Joan Toups passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at her residence.
Joan Toups leaves behind a legacy of love and selflessness that touched countless lives. Her genuine care for others was evident in her commitment to helping those in need, making sure everyone felt welcome at her family's Christmas celebrations. Joan's faith was her cornerstone, guiding her every action and inspiring those around her. She faced life's challenges with grace and resilience, always leaning on her favorite verse, Philippians 4:13, for strength. Joan will be remembered for her infectious laughter, her delicious homemade meals, and her ability to bring people together in love and faith. In honoring her memory, let us continue to embody the spirit of kindness and generosity that she so beautifully exemplified throughout her life.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
Joan is survived by her sons, Justin Toups (Ashley), Kyle Toups (Haley), Eric Toups (Brittney); grandchildren, Adaleigh, Paxton, Ariel, Everly, Eli, Camden; siblings, Kevin Hebert, Mark Hebert, Clark Hebert, Dawn Suire, Darlene LeBlanc, Arlene Baudoin, Joey Suire; numerous nieces, nephews, and ex-husband and friend Larry Toups, Jr.
She was preceded I death by her parents, Leroy and Barbara Nell Suire Hebert. 
Honored to serve as Pallbearers are Justin Toups, Kyle Toups, Eric Toups, Joey Suire, Kevin Hebert, Clark Hebert, and Dillon Boudreaux.
The family would like to thank Traditions Hospice and Home Health for all the love, care and support they shared with their family.
Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Erath 209 East Putnam 337-937-0405, is handling the funeral.

March 6, 1931 - January 25, 2025

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2025 at noon for Sister Audrey Mae Sonnier Campbell, at Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Abbeville, LA. Services will be officiated Pastor Mideate Derouen. Public Viewing & Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until the start of service.
Sister Audrey Mae Sonnier Campbell was born March 6, 1931, to the union of Ludric Sonnier and Ouida Petry Sonnier in Abbeville, LA.
Sister Audrey accepted Christ as Lord of her life at an early age and was baptized at Pleasant Green Baptist Church. Sister Audrey served as a Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, President of the Women’s Mission, sung in the choir and taught Bible Study when called to serve.
Sister Audrey married the love of her life Floyd Campbell, and to that union five children were born: Sylvia, Cynthia, Christi, Floyd Kevin, Jina and to that union Sylvia was adopted by her Daddy Floyd.
On January 25, 2025, she was called from labor to reward. Sister Audrey was preceded in death by her husband Floyd Campbell, son Spencer Gene Henderson, father Ludric Sonnier, mother Ouida Sonnier, and sister Mildred Brailey.
Left to cherish her memories are her five children Sylvia Johnson (Joseph) Missouri City, TX, Cynthia Dudley Missouri City, TX, Christi Pendergraff Fresno, TX, Floyd Kevin Campbell Abbeville, LA and Jina Dockery (Lewis) Abbeville, LA; one sister Ella Jane Hill Houston, TX; two Godchildren Catherine Wimbly and Jeffrey Shelvin; thirteen grandchildren, thirty-eight great grandchildren and eighteen great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly.
Professional services are entrusted to Miller & Hill "The Funeral Directors", 103 Bolton Avenue, Alexandria, LA 71301. Family and friends may purchase florals and leave condolences at www.millerandhillfd.com.

Vermilion Parish is now the proud home of two National Champion Dance Teams.
Over the weekend, North Vermilion’s Dream Team Dance Team and the Erath Extreme Dance Team won their Varsity Game Day National Championship in Orlando, FL.
Erath is the Medium Varsity Division II Game Day National Champions. 
North Vermilion is the Small Varsity Division II Game Day National Champions.
It is the second year in a row that the Dream Team has won the championship in Game Day.
North Vermilion Dance Team coaches Vandie Davidson and Shamayne Istre said there was some pressure.
“Returning from nationals in 2024 as title winners was an amazing feeling, but it did come with some expectations,” said the NV coaches.
“There is pressure to prove yourself again and that your program is consistent. Our returning girls felt pressure to prove that they could lead their team back to a championship without their graduating seniors and our first year girls felt the pressure of meeting expectation of a champion from day one.”
The coaches said throughout the season, the girls reminded themselves that they are good enough to do it again, and that they needed each other to make it happen.
Davidson said, “I read this quote recently that states, ‘You simply aren’t considered a real champion until you have defended your title successfully…winning it twice proves that you are the best!’
“Those words are what we set out to prove. After earning that title again this year, I think the pressure will lessen a little, but it won’t go away! Dreams are just built differently, they thrive on challenges and they have a drive that will keep them focused on earning that title again,” added Davidson.
However, this was the first time the Erath Extreme Dance Team had won a title. Last year, they finished second in the same event.
Also, the Lady Bobcats finished seventh in the Hip Hop category.
North Vermilion finished ninth in the Small Varsity Division II Hip Hop category.
In the Game Day Division, Erath finished in first place during the first round, allowing them to advance to the second round in front of new judges. However, being in first place after the first round does not guarantee a victory. Last year, although they finished in first place after the first round, they ultimately did not win. In contrast, a team that started in sixth place after the first round moved up to first place and claimed victory last year.
The EHS Extreme Dance team only has two seniors - Mary Grace White and Regan Granger.
“We tried not to expect anything after the first round,” said Granger. “We wanted to go into the second round and perform and make ourselves proud.”
After the second-round performance, White said she got chills when she walked off the stage.
“I felt we did enough to us to be proud,” added White. 
Eleven teams advanced to the finals. The announcer counted down the top eleven finishers, and when they reached the final three, things got intense for Erath. 
It got really intense when there were two teams—Erath and Teurlings. Teurlings had beaten Erath in the regional finals.
“We knew we had to bring it if we wanted to beat Teurlings,” said White. “They were our biggest competition.”
When the announcer said Teurlings finished second, the Lady Bobcat dancers began yelling and jumping for joy.
“It was surreal,” said Granger. “We all began crying. It was the best feeling.”
Erath’s Dance Team has come far in the last four years.
When White and Granger were freshmen, the EHS Extreme Dance Team did not make it to the second round. They advanced to the second round their sophomore year and finished 13th place.
Last year, in their junior year, they finished second, and this year, in their senior year, they brought home the first-place trophy.
“All of the hard work paid off,” said White.

Nicholls State football stadium in Thibodaux feels like home for Vermilion Catholic senior Jonathan “JonJon” Dartez. Because of that special feeling, he decided to spend the next four years playing football and getting an education.
Nicholls State offered Dartez a football scholarship and he accepted the offer. Today, (Wednesday), Dartez is expected to sign a letter of intent from Nicholls State.
Nicholls State felt at home because he had played two high school football games there; he practiced in the stadium before this year’s state championship game. He also went to the Manning football camp there a few years ago.
VC played former district foe Covenant Christian twice in Nicholls Stadium,.
So, when he and his father, Darrin, toured the stadium and the athletic facilities, they felt like they were “coming home.”
“I was not nervous at all,” said Dartez about touring the campus. “It was relaxing. It felt like home when I walked into the stadium.  The coaches also made me feel comfortable.”
The Colonels play in the Southland Conference and posted a 4-8 season in 2024.
On his visit, he met with new Nicholls head football coach Tommy Rybacki. Rybacki is starting his first year as the head coach. He was the defensive coordinator at Nicholls for 10 years. 
He replaces Tim Rebowe, who retired from coaching after 10 years at Nicholls State.
Dartez, who stands 5-9, led the Eagles to a perfect 14-0 season in 2024. He ended the season leading the team with 2,761 rushing yards on 348 carries and 44 touchdowns.   He threw for 1,638 yards and 23 touchdowns in the air with a 63% completion rate.
He has rushed for 7,018 yards and threw for 5,000 yards in four years. 
Despite accumulating more than 12,000 yards in the air and on the ground,  one stat never gets any attention.
He has 563 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Look for Dartez to play a slot receiver in college. It is a position he has always dreamed of playing. He watched his older brother, Saul, play wide receiver at VC.
“I like the way a receiver runs the route. It could be a perfect route,” he said. “Plus, I always thought a receiver  was more fun to watch.”
Dartez is Nicholls State’s 11th committed player heading into the National Signing Day. All 11 are from Louisiana, and four of the 11 are wide receivers.