RSS Feed

Billie Mestayer McHugh, born to Lavinia Champagne and Joseph L. Mestayer, grew her Angel wings and passed to glory on August 30, 2021 after a lengthy illness at the age of 78 in her home with her family where she wanted to be.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Valcourt and Alida Champagne of New Iberia, Ruby Champagne, Jim Champagne, Lou Thomas, Outhwaite Champagne, Willa Delhomme, Harold Champagne, Henry Champagne, Lucille Dugas, Andrew Champagne, Thelma Breaux and Edwin Champagne. Her parents, Lavinia and Pete Fairley also predeceased her.
Billie is survived by her husband, Robert C. “Bob” McHugh; three children, Charlotte McHugh, Bryan McHugh and Kathryn McHugh; six grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Billie was born to Lavinia and Joseph Mestayer in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Feb. 27, 1943, where her father was training to be an Anny Air Force pilot.
In January 1944, her father’s flying fortress was shot down on a bombing run towards Italy and all crew members perished in the ocean. Her mother, Lavinia, married Peter M. Fairley of Moss Point, Mississippi, after the war.
In the early years, Billie attended Live Oak Elementary where her mother was a teacher. Later on she became a Catholic and attended Mount Carmel Academy for girls and was an excellent student. Billie would attend her Catholic services and then come to the First Methodist Church in New Iberia to sit in on Sunday School services where her mother and stepdad were teachers.
Both Billie and Bob were about 14 years old and swapping glances at each other on a regular basis. That First Methodist Church is where they became soulmates and on August 8, 1964 we were married there. Much later she confessed that she had “chosen” me during those Sunday School classes. That’s why we called ourselves “soulmates” and after 57 years of marriage, still loved each other.
Billie attended USL where she majored in home economics and her strong point was cooking but her Nannie Ruby taught her as a young girl how to make little items of sewing. She eventually became an expert in making her children’s clothes, alterations, baby bonnets, christening gowns, wedding dresses and her passion for quilting. She made several “quilts of valor” for some vets. She hand designed all of her productions for “Queen Bee Creations”.
“Miss Billie” will certainly be sorely missed for a long time by her relatives, friends and family.
At her request, Hargrave Funeral Home is handling the cremation. Family and friends are welcome to attend funeral home services at a later date.

From the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

FEMA is providing:

Rapid financial assistance for critical, life-saving needs – Money for food, water, fuel for transportation, and prescription drugs.

Basic home repairs to a primary residence (to help restore habitability for homeowners.)

TRANSITIONAL SHELTERING ASSISTANCE:
FEMA has approved the Governor’s request to activate the FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance program – also known as TSA.

After applying with FEMA, people will be notified if they qualify for temporary sheltering in a hotel at FEMA’s expense.

FEMA pays the hotels directly for lodging and the tax.

It will NOT pay for any incidental hotel expenses.

But FEMA rental assistance money IS paid to applicants directly if they are eligible. So save all receipts, and tell us about needs.

If survivors qualify for Transitional Sheltering Assistance, FEMA will notify them by an automated phone call, text message, and email.

FEMA does not find a hotel room

AS OF THIS MORNING – For Needs Not Covered by Insurance:

$194 million in grants directly to survivors in Louisiana

FEMA has approved 171,000 households

HOME INSPECTIONS:
FEMA has home inspectors working right now
They are official FEMA contractors – and carry official ID
The inspection is free – They will not ask you for money
If You are suspicious of possible fraud, call 866-720-0814

HOW TO CONTACT FEMA:
The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov
If it’s not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362

Soft tissue injuries are more common than people may realize. In fact, anyone with an undiagnosed pain in his or her body may be suffering from a soft tissue injury.
According to Delaware Integrative Healthcare, bone injuries garner significant attention because broken bones and fractures can be very serious. But soft tissue injuries, when left untreated, also can be troublesome and jeopardize individuals’ athletic pursuits.
Verywell Health defines soft tissue injuries as trauma to any muscle, skin, tendon or ligament in the body. Injuries may result from overuse or acute trauma, which is an external force applied to the body. Common examples of soft tissue injuries are lacerations, abrasions, contusions, sprains/strains, bursitis and tendinitis.
Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons and sprains are injuries to ligaments, which are elastic bands of tissue that connect and stabilize bones. Both strains and sprains are common soft tissue injuries.
Bursitis and tendinitis also are common. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between the bones and muscles or tendons. Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons, which connect muscles to bones.
Many minor (Grade 1) soft tissue injuries that involve muscles, tendons and ligaments may heal when injured persons follow the protocol known as RICE, which is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. RICE is widely recommended for these types of injuries.
However, more serious soft tissue injuries may take extended time to heal. Some of these injuries also may lead to permanent changes in muscles, tendons and ligaments, causing certain body parts to cease functioning how they used to. That may be the case with Grade 2 (moderate) or Grade 3 (severe) injuries. Further medical attention may be needed and physical therapy may be prescribed.
The Ace Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute says soft tissue injuries account for most of the injuries that outpatient physical therapists treat. A therapist will analyze the type of injury and the pain or impairment it is causing to develop a rehabilitation program.
Physical therapists often perform various treatments geared toward reducing swelling and inflammation. Manual therapies to help restore normal motion also are part of soft tissue treatment plans. Stretching and strengthening exercises may be incorporated to improve endurance and repair soft tissue.
Orthotic therapy may be needed to correct certain imbalances, advises Algonquin Chiropractic Center. Physical therapists also can educate patients about how to strengthen the body to help reduce risk for future injuries.
Soft tissue injuries are common and usually can resolve with rest. Guided physical therapy may be prescribed for more severe cases.

Irving B. Gage, Jr., 58, a resident of Abbeville, La. and native of Houston, TX, passed away peacefully on Tuesday August 24, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Lafayette, La.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday September 11, 2021 from 1 p.m. until funeral services at 2:30 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home, 1101 Main Street Franklin, La. (All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC-local regulations by wearing masks and practicing social distancing). Funeral services will be accessible by viewing the Jones Funeral Home Facebook page on Saturday September 11, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.
Irving, Jr., leaves to cherish his memories; his mother, Mable Louise Gage of Houston, TX, four sisters, Constance Regina Jones,(Connie), Tracy Felicia Gage, La Wanna Lavette Gage, abs Latarsha Monique Gage: a brother, Oliver Tyrone Gage; sister-in-law, Blanca Gage of McAllen, TX; aunts Sylvia Marie Thomas of Houston, TX, Mary Ann Nelson of Long Beach, CA, and Ivory Lee Tackwood of Las Vegas, NV and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.
Irving Jr., was preceded in death by his: father, Rev. Dr. Irving Berlin Gage Sr.; paternal grandparents, Lolis Clarence Sr and Mildred Tackwood of Los Angeles, CA and Herbert and Rita Gage of Abbeville, La.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Houma-Franklin-Jeanerette and Morgan City. Please visit; www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.