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July 14, 1937 ~ December 1, 2024

ABBEVILLE- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 7, 2024, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Evelyn LeMaire Sellers, 87, with Reverend Daniel Picard officiating. Evelyn passed away on December 1, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital. Readers for the Mass will be Steve Sellers and Ellen LeMaire, gift bearers will be Sandra Faulk and Kristi Durke. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Mausoleum at a later date. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Devin Bell, Patrick LeMaire, Doug Sellers, Carl Sellers, Eric Sellers and Brett Trahan.
Evelyn was a cherished “only” child, and was equally cherished by her husband, Gayle. She was used to being sheltered and protected, and upon their wedding day, Gayle assumed that role lovingly and for life. Theirs was a marriage of complete devotion to each other. She loved her faith, family, and friends, and was a gentle, quiet soul, who loved to watch the activity, and laugh with and enjoy others, especially friends and family. She respected privacy, and though she was devoted to her children, she gave them their space. She loved her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren - so so much. It was proud and precious time to her when she could be with them. She was easy to tease, and at least one side of the family called her “Aunt Eleven”. She enjoyed celebrating birthdays at El Camino, with friends. She just cherished the family time and being together.
Evelyn enjoyed her lady friends for many, many, years and always looked forward to their regular games of Pokeno and cards.  It was often the highlight of her week. Evelyn enjoyed Bingo, spending time at the casino to flirt with “Lady Luck” and she was often the very lucky one!  She loved garage sales!  She enjoyed her pampering time to get her hair or nails done. She liked to look pretty, and that was certainly not difficult.  She loved the fact that Gayle religiously brought her coffee in bed in the mornings. She and Gayle developed lifelong friendships and irreplaceable memories traveling and camping with family and friends in their “Bayou Allegreaux” motor home club.  It was always an adventure and they traveled far and wide - sometimes to Canada, or Mexico, Tennessee, or California. Festivals, like Lagniappe on the Bayou and casino campgrounds were also a favorite. They were always game for the next adventure during those years. The bonds of friendship and camaraderie were strong, and they “followed” those friendships even when they could no longer participate. Life is rarely kind in the last years, but she and Gayle accepted change and help, graciously. They hated giving up their home, but transitioned to Woodbriar Assisted Living for each other and to make their care easier for their family. They operated out of love and devotion from beginning to end. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be part of the family or their friends group will miss their gentle ways, their smiles, their humor and generosity, and most of all, watching them show us how to love each other for life.
A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. when the procession will depart for the church. Reverend Daniel Picard will officiate at the funeral mass.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Lynn Sellers; granddaughter, Jessica Impastato and Kalynn Impastato Bell and her husband, Devin; great-granddaughter, Annalynn Rose Bell; and great-grandson, Andrew Dean Bell.
She is preceded in death by her spouse of sixty three years, Gayle Sellers; and son, Kevin Sellers and their Blessed Angel.
In lieu of flowers or plants Donna would prefer Masses to be offered for her Dad, her Mom.

The weather outside may not be frightful, but it is looking “a lot like Christmas.”
For the past 20-plus years, this time of year has meant the Christmas Stroll is almost year.
“We are celebrating 25 years of the Christmas Stroll is an amazing experience for downtown Abbeville that has become a tradition,” Abbeville Main Street Manager Charlene Beckett said. “What began a quarter of a century ago and it still brings smiles and holiday cheer to the people who attend.”
As has always been the case, the Stroll will be held fist Thursday in December. That makes it this Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Stroll began as a partnership between the Downtown Business Association and the Main Street Program. It was designed as an old fashion Christmas event highlighting our beautiful downtown. It isn’t a retail event as it is more promotional by encouraging residents and visitors to come with their family and enjoy the white lights, visit with friends and see what Abbeville has to offer.
“Each year we have created a collectible Christmas ornament that honors one of our downtown buildings,” Beckett said.
This year the ornament honors Gulf Coast Bank. As has been the case each year, local artist Jeannie Comeaux designed the ornament.
Over the years the Stroll has added a holiday village that delights the children by making it a great spot for photos.
Visiting downtown you may run into the Grinch and get picture with Santa.
“The Stroll Card was created to encourage attendees to explore all the participating spots,” Beckett said. “As you visit participating businesses during the Stroll
remember to support our downtown while checking off your holiday list or
dining in one of our restaurants.
“Remember, as you visit each location, collect a stamp on your card.”
Once your card is fully stamped you bring the card to Magdalen Square, drop it in the box for a chance to win a gift basket which is drawn at 8:15 pm.
“So, grab your family or friend and come stroll through our festive downtown and enjoy all the holiday cheer this event has to offer,” Beckett said.

MAURICE — Family is important to 11-year-old Kinley Jo Romero.
When Romero, a fifth-grader at Cecil Picard Elementary, earns a big accomplishment, she enjoys celebrating with her family.
The Romeros had a huge reason to celebrate as the Vermilion Parish School System recently named Romero its Elementary School Student of the Year.
“This recognition has been such an awesome experience for me that I will never forget,” Romero said. “I am honored to be named Cecil Picard Elementary’s 2024-2025 Student of the Year and Vermilion Parish Elementary Student of the Year. 
“I am thankful and blessed for my family, friends, teachers, and everyone who has supported me throughout this incredible journey.”
Romero’s journey has been a busy one. She is involved in numerous activities at school. That list includes the Jr. Beta Club, for which she serves as president, the 4-H Club and Student Council.
“I am very involved in many activities and clubs in my school and community,” Romero said.
Outside of school, Romero enjoys dancing and playing basketball. 
“Dancing is my greatest passion with basketball right after,” Romero said. “I have been in dancing at DWL Dance Company here in Maurice since I was three years old, where I participate in tap, jazz, technique, hip hop, and competition dance. I have been playing basketball since the age of 5. Playing basketball is so fun and I have learned a lot of good things such as good sportsmanship, that hard work always pays off, and never to quit what you start.”
Romero said she felt the experiences she gained from activities both in and out of school helped her in the competition for the top elementary student.
“I feel that my confidence, drive, and involvement helped me separate myself,” Romero said. “My confidence really helps me have good conversations with the judges, especially during the interview process. My drive helps me to always give my best in everything that I do. I love to start conversations and interact with people.”
She’s now looking forward to having those conversations and interactions as she represents Cecil Picard and Vermilion Parish at the next level of the competition.
“I am beyond proud, humbled, and filled with excitement to be able to represent my school, Cecil Picard Elementary, as the 2024-2025 Vermilion Parish Elementary Student of the Year!” Romero exclaimed.
As always, Romero is most excited to represent her parents, Kayla and Jordan, and sister, Lexi.
“My family is a big part of my life and is very important to me,” Romero said. “I love to spend time with them and celebrate things like this huge accomplishment with them.”

KAPLAN — Coeyn Wise doesn’t give himself too much downtime in a good way.
That’s one of the things about Wise, a senior at Kaplan High, that helped propel him to Vermilion Parish High School Student of the Year. The Vermilion Parish School System made the announcement late last week.
“It is an absolute honor,” Wise said. “It was amazing to be KHS Student of the Year, but going to the next level and competing with the caliber of students as I did was just crazy. The idea that the Student of the Year Committee has put their faith and the full backing of Vermilion Parish into me is a feeling I can’t explain. 
“I hope to represent my parish and my community as well as possible.”
Wise, who plans to enlist in the Navy after graduation, already does that through all his endeavors, both inside and outside school. He attended Louisiana Boys State, where peers elected him governor. Wise has worked closely with Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White to create a Youth Advisory Committee. That is all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and his envelopment BETA, FFA, and Student Council. 
“Plus, I attend all the school board meetings (excluding the most recent one, which landed on my 18th birthday),” Wise said. “I really don’t stop, and I think that is what pushed me over the edge for this honor.”
While he does work with groups throughout the parish, Wise couldn’t be prouder to represent his hometown.
“I will always bleed Black and Gold,” Wise said. “Kaplan is the strongest community, and I am so proud to be a part of it. The community has always been there for my family and me in our times of need, and I am so honored to be able to give back to my school and community by representing them. Everything goes back to my community, and I will never be able to truly express the gratitude, appreciation, and love I have for Kaplan and Kaplan High. Once a Pirate, always a Pirate.”
Wise said his win reflects, in many ways, the great things happening at Kaplan High.
“I love our parish, and that includes every school in the parish,” Wise said. “However, I feel like Kaplan is overlooked very frequently. (KHS Principal) Coach Shay (Herpin) once had the motto of ‘Just Kaplan’ because that’s what everyone thought about us, but in my opinion, since he has become the captain of our ship, he has steered us clear of tidal waves and whirlpools and helped produce some of the hardest working students, most passionate teachers, strongest athletes, as well as two parish students of the year and a Governor of the American Legions Louisiana Boys State. 
“Kaplan is succeeding, and we have been succeeding for a while; I am glad that any achievement I make brings back some recognition to the school because without the strong support and community, we have at KHS, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my full potential.”
Wise will take this honor and move on to the next level of the Student of the Year competition.
“The next step is state,” Wise said, “and that is a process I’m not too familiar with, but I will go into it with the same vigor and mindset that I went into this entire thing. I want to represent and give back to my community. I will always be myself and promote my hard work and dedication values. I hope my resume, achievements, accomplishments, and personality represent the fine stock that Vermilion Parish has to offer the state as their nominee for Student of the Year.”