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Frank Percy Jones, 61, a resident and native of Patterson, La., passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 9, 2021 at 5:46 p.m. at his residence.
A public walk through viewing was conducted from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Jones Funeral Home 715 Sixth Street Morgan City, La. Visitation resumed on Tuesday March 16, 2021 at the Patterson Civic Center, 116 Cotten Road, Patterson, La. 70392 from 8 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. Reverend Patrick T. Jones officiated the services. Frank was entombed in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum following funeral services.
Memories of Frank will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Monica M. Jones; his children Kerwin Jones LaTora Madise both of Patterson, La. and Cedric Gant of Monroe, La.; four brothers, Floyd Jones and Larry Jones both of Patterson, La. of Jeff (Rhonda) Jones of Larose, La. and Charles Jones of Lake Charles, La.; four sisters, Matilda Ray and Catherine Jones both of Patterson, La., Marion (Kenneth) Johnson of Baton Rouge, La., and Ann Adams of Meridian, MS; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Alma Jones Sr.; one brother, Joseph Jones, Jr.; maternal grandparents, Percy and Savannah Henton and paternal grandparents, Jeff and Josephine Jones.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Houma-Jeanerette

St. Mary Parish School Board President Kenneth Alfred ripped Parish President David Hanagriff and the St. Mary Industrial Group for what he said were falsehoods they were airing publicly in opposition of the school board’s sales tax proposition to give pay raises to school teachers and support staff.
He was critical of Hanagriff for statements he has made at every parish council meeting since the beginning of February in opposing the tax, while Alfred also took issue with SMIG, which has paid for advertising space in The Daily Review voicing its opposition of the tax.
Alfred said SMIG has cited predicted jobs lost, hours cut and salaries trimmed as well as businesses shuttering doors and financial hardships stacking up.
“All because of a 45 cents per $100 tax increase?” Alfred asked, saying that “sounds … farfetched to him.”
He called SMIG’s list “politically motivated with no facts” to support the claims.
Alfred said an unnamed key member of SMIG reached out to him when the original tax included a 0.05% technology fee and told him if the technology portion of the tax was dropped, SMIG could support it.
“We did that,” he said. “Now we’re getting negative newspaper articles full of generalities, not facts, and the same person is instrumental in the negative ads. The only thing that I can surmise is that these people are what I call ‘CAVE people,’ Citizens Against Virtually Everything.”
The proposition is the first the board has asked the public for since 1988, Alfred said.
Alfred noted if approved, it would only add 45 cents in tax to each $100 spent. In turn, teachers would receive a $3,000 annual salary increase, while support personnel would benefit with a $1,500 per year salary increase.
“The school system in any parish is a major economic factor, used to attract businesses and citizens,” Alfred said. “This is what people question first: the quality of the school system.”
He said that even with the passage of the tax, St. Mary Parish’s sales tax rate would be more than half a percent less than neighboring parishes that they compete with for teachers.
“Only six parishes in Louisiana allocate less of their total taxes to their local school systems,” he said.
Superintendent Teresa Bagwell, who devoted her entire monthly report to the sales tax, said fewer college graduates are entering education careers, and of those who are, nearly half are exiting in their first five years. That means school systems are vying for the same pool of educators, she said.
“The future of St. Mary Parish is sitting in our classrooms, and they demand guidance and support of a caring, competent and efficacious teacher,” Bagwell said.
Despite low support in sales tax and the pandemic’s challenges, St. Mary has thrived and is ranked No. 17 in the state among school districts, Alfred said.
Much of the board president’s criticism was directed at Hanagriff.
He questioned the parish president’s support of the school support staff, Hanagriff’s allegations that the school district hasn’t managed its money properly and asked when exactly would be the right time for a tax increase.
“When oil was over $100 a barrel, no one came to us and said ‘this is the right time,’” Alfred said. “All of the businesses in our parish were benefitting from this, but not the School Board.”
Alfred said although the price of oil is $65, Hanagriff thinks it’s still not the right time.
“It seems as if it’s never the right time when it comes to supporting our teachers as we should,” Alfred said.
Now, however, Alfred said is the right time, and he encouraged the public to vote for the tax, which he noted does not benefit the school board members.
While Alfred said Hanagriff has recognized his support of teachers, even though he opposes the sales tax proposition, he asked about support staff.
“Mr. President, what about custodians, cafeteria workers, secretaries, bus drivers and other support staff?” Alfred asked. “You never mentioned them. How would you like to make a custodian or cafeteria workers’ salary and receive a $1,500 raise? This would increase the morale of our parish to great heights.”
In response to Hanagriff’s allegation that the board hasn’t managed its money properly, Alfred noted that in order “to enhance the financial obligations” the board has to St. Mary Parish, it closed two schools in recent years.
“Do you know that we have cut many teaching and support positions each year as our enrollment has dropped?” Alfred asked. “Do you know that we will lose $2.6 million from the Minimum Foundation Program this year, and in the future?
“Mr. President, you should be a good leader,” Alfred added. “Good leaders do not make statements publicly based on hearsay. You have. I have not seen you or any member of your organization attend our budget workshops or hearings. Yet you make negative statements based on assumptions. That is terrible leadership.”
Bagwell noted that they have had one increase in their Minimum Foundation Program funding in the last decade. The program is the school system’s primary source of revenue. So in addition to relying more on local revenue sources, they have had to eliminate expenses and work within means.
She said they have balanced a budget annually, but it is becoming harder each year, and now there is an unfunded legislative mandate they must contend with, too.
“The year 2020 and now 2021 has acted to separate the men from the boys in public education as many systems struggle to return,” she said. “Additionally, the costs of educating kids has remarkably grown as school systems faced an almost overnight transition to virtual learning and then highly sanitized and socially spaced classrooms.”
Bagwell noted that school personnel returned to school in September and never have left.
“I’m very proud to say that we are one in only a limited number of districts in the state who can say that,” she said.
Early voting for the school board tax ends Saturday, and the general election will be held March 20.

May 8, 1923 — March 10, 2021
Louise Boumans Smoorenburg, a longtime resident of Patterson, passed away at the age of 97 on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at St. Joseph Hospice’s Carpenter House in Lafayette.
Born on May 8, 1923 in Nuth in the Netherlands, Louise was the eldest of six children born to Michiel and Johanna Boumans. She worked as a secretary in the offices of the coal mines in Holland for 12 years. During the time of World War II the employees of the coal mines were escorted to and from work by the Germans to ensure they didn’t speak to anyone. It was in Holland that she met the love of her life and future husband, Frank Smoorenburg. Louise and Frank married in 1954 and were blessed with four children. In 1958 the family immigrated to the United States. Louise’s sister, Gerda, accompanied them as well to keep her promise to their mother that she would assist in their transition to a new country. Gerda remained a huge part of their daily lives until her passing, fulfilling her promise.
Upon arriving in the US, they came to Morgan City and were blessed with three more children. They finally settled in Patterson where they remained. Frank and Louise were very proud to become Citizens of the United States of America on December 16, 1973.
Oma, as she was affectionately known, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose family was her world. She had a kind and caring nature about her and embraced the virtue of motherhood whole-heartedly, devoting her life to her faith and family. She made sure to pass down traditions from her youth to her family, incorporating Dutch culture in her cooking and Holiday get-togethers. She loved working with her hands, crocheting, knitting, and baking homemade bread. She also enjoyed going to Cypress Bayou Casino to play the slot machines. She truly will be missed by so many whose lives were touched by hers.
Her memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of her six children, Joseph (Joey) Smoorenburg and his wife Laura of Mandeville, Johnny Smoorenburg and his wife Cathy of Aurora, CO, Alice Rauch and her husband Phil of Avondale, Cheerey Ferriss and her husband Ronnie of Covington, Mary Lou Brady of Patterson, and Frank A. Smoorenburg, Jr. and his wife Jolene of Patterson; 13 grandchildren, Chantal, Tess, Brian, Bailey, Eric, Marc, Lucia, Angie, Mia, Amy, Christina, Ethan and Nicole; 15 great-grandchildren, Reid, Beau, Blaire, Brooks, Ryan, Kate, Drew, Charlotte, Margaret, Holland, Jackson, Llewelyn, Issie, Luna and Theo; two sisters, Elly Grootjans and Mia Seegers; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Frank A. Smoorenburg; one son, Nico Smoorenburg; her parents, Michiel Joseph Boumans and Johanna Gotwalt Boumans; and three siblings, Cherie (Gerda) Boumans, Jan Boumans and Nico Boumans.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson, where she was a parishioner for nearly 60 years. Following the Mass, she will be laid to rest with her beloved Frank in the St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum. Father Herb Bennerfield will conduct the services. Because services are private, audio of the service will be streamed on Ibert’s Mortuary’s YouTube channel.
Serving as pallbearers will be her sons, Joey, John and Frank, and grandsons, Brian, Marc and Ethan. Honorary pallbearers will be her sons-in-law, Ronnie and Phil, and grandson, Eric.
Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, Development Department, 14241 Coursey Blvd, A12374, Baton Rouge, LA 70817, www.alsa.org, or to St. Joseph Hospice Foundation, 923 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette, LA 70503, 337-541-6464, www.stjosephhospicefoundation.org.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Ms. Antoinette LeBlanc and Ms. Theresa LaGrange for bringing her Holy Communion, as well as to Dr. Solet, Dr. Cefalu, Bayou Home Health Care and St. Joseph Hospice for their care and compassion.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.

Elaine Wooters Grant, 72, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Elaine was a native of Morgan City, LA and a resident of Berwick, LA.
Family and friends of the family are invited to attend visitation on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Twin City Funeral Home in Morgan City, LA from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin on Monday, March 15, 2021 at noon at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Berwick, LA with burial following Mass in Morgan City Cemetery.
Elaine is survived by her loving family; husband of 47 years, Joseph Grant; son, Kevin Grant and wife Lorena Voisin Grant; sister, Pamela Wooters Henry; and grandchildren, Baylie Robin, Michael Alexzander Grant and Nathaniel Paul Grant.
Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Florence Wooters; daughter, Dana Grant Robin; sister, Glenda Wooters Streva; grandchildren, Gabriel, Peter and Christopher Grant; parents-in-law, Marshall Grant and Mary Pollage Grant; and brother-in-law, Anthony Grant.
Elaine was a kind and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She had many family and friends whom she loved over her life who will miss her dearly every day. Her love, generosity and kindness will always be remembered and she will forever be missed; but always and forever loved.
Twin City Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Elaine Wooters Grant.