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GENEVA JOHNSON DIGGS

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 11:08am

Geneva Johnson Diggs, 61, a native of Franklin and resident of Gray, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020.
Visitation will be Saturday from 8 a.m. until services at 10 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Houma. Burial will follow in Southdown Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, Elmore Diggs Sr. of Gray; two daughters, Charlotte Ketchens and Jennifer Jenkins; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three brothers, Aaron Watson Sr., Karo Johnson of Gray, and Earl Hasley of Morgan City; two sisters, Bobby Robinson and Aline Johnson; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by a son, parents, three brothers, four sisters, and maternal and paternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SHIRLEY ANN RICHARDSON WHITE

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 11:07am

Shirley Ann Richardson White, 68, a native of Franklin and resident of Lafayette, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at Lady of the Oaks in Lafayette.
Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at Greater St. Stephen Baptist Church in Franklin. Masks and social distancing required. Burial will follow in Little Zion Cemetery in Verdunville.
She is survived by four sons, Christopher White Jr. of Franklin, Charles White Sr. of Lafayette, and Demarcus White and Jamal White, both of Dallas; siblings, Dorothy Howard, Woodrow Richardson and Agnes Richardson, all of Franklin, and Melvin Richardson Jr. of Patterson; nine grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and paternal and maternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MICHAEL ANTHONY GUILBEAUX

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 11:04am

Michael Anthony Guilbeaux, 40, a native of Franklin and resident of Katy, Texas, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
Visitation will be Saturday from noon until services at 2 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Franklin. Face masks and social distancing required. Inurnment will be at a later date in Charity Cemetery in Franklin. Services accessible on funeral home Facebook page.
He is survived by siblings, John Guilbeaux Jr. of Orange, Texas, Kerry Guilbeaux and Jacqueline Mack, both of Lafayette, Darryl Guilbeaux and Denise Coleman, both of Franklin; his stepmother, Carolyn Daniels of Morgan City; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and paternal and maternal grandparents.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

ARISTEDE RAY POLIDORE

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 11:02am

Aristede Ray Polidore, 51, a native of Franklin and resident of Seattle, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, at Swedish Medical Center - First Hill Campus in Seattle.
Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until services at 2 p.m. at Triumph Baptist Church in Franklin. Burial will follow in St. Johns Cemetery in Franklin.
He is survived by his mother, Martha Polidore of Franklin; three brothers, David Lewis of Seattle, Joseph Polidore of Spokane, Washington and Clatter Polidore of Franklin; three sisters, Lorraine Lewis of Franklin, Hester Henderson of Baton Rouge and Zuleika Polidore of Patterson; and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father, a sister, parental grandparents and maternal grandmother.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JUDY ANN EDWARDS

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 11:00am

Judy Ann Edwards, 51, a native and resident of Franklin, died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Franklin Foundation Hospital.
Viewing will be 8-10 a.m. Saturday at Jones Funeral Home in Franklin. Masks and social distancing required. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. in Franklin Cemetery.
She is survived by her father, Frank Edwards of Franklin; sisters, Agnes Edwards of Franklin, Esther Jackson of Morgan City and Loretta Beecham of Little Rock, Arkansas; grandmother, Rose Edwards; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents and her mother.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Business of the Month

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 10:59am

The Daily Review/Bill Decker
Al Adams, left, receives a plaque naming his Sewart Supply Co. LLC as the St. Mary Chamber's Business of the Month for September at Wednesday's Chamber luncheon. Adams received the plaque from Chamber Chairman Jason Watson. Sewart Supply, which has oilfield and maritime equipment among the items in its inventory, celebrated 50 years in operation in 2019. Also Wednesday, Denise Guarisco of Edward Jones financial advisers was named Administrative Assistant of the Month. Guarisco wasn't present.

Man faces second vehicle theft charge

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 10:56am

Staff Report
A Morgan City man wanted on a warrant for vehicle theft was found to be responsible for the stealing of a second vehicle, Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Shawn Bradell Durkins, 26, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:47 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of theft of a motor vehicle between $5,000 and $25,000, and on a warrant for theft of a motor vehicle between $5,000 and $25,000,
Officers located Durkins on a warrant for theft of a motor vehicle at an address on Federal Avenue He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department.
During the investigation, detectives with the Morgan City Police Department learned Durkins was responsible for a second motor vehicle theft that occurred Sept. 15. He was additionally charged and incarcerated at the Morgan City Police Department.
Blair also reported this arrest:
—Magdalena Jeanethe Mendez, 43, Patton Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of no driver’s license.
Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Youngs Road and identified the driver as Mendez. A computer check was conducted and revealed she did not possess a valid driver’s license.
She was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Robert Jeremy Ballance, 37, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:59 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for criminal neglect of family. No bail has been set.
—Keriana M. Brou-ssard, 23, Carmel Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 4:08 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of driving under suspension and speeding. Broussard was released on a $500 bond.
—Marielle Jonte Washington, 26, Baker Road, Franklin, was arrested at 9:48 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace by language. Bail was set at $250.
—Darren Joseph Jackson, 36, Jordin Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:33 a.m. on a warrant for the charge of criminal trespass and a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of violation of a protective order. Bail was set at $1,578.
—Juvenile male, 16, Patterson, was arrested at 2:11 a.m. Thursday on a charge of terrorizing. The juvenile male was arrested and released to the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.

Morgan City police radio logs for Sept. 16-17

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 10:56am

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Wednesday, Sept. 16
8:13 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
8:37 a.m. 600 block of General Hodges Street; Animal.
8:47 a.m. Roderick And La. 182; Suspicious person.
9:25 a.m. 8400 block of La. 182; Animal.
9:59 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
10:03 a.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Complaint.
10:06 a.m. 600 block of First Street; Trespassing.
10:28 a.m. 700 block of General Hodges Street; Civil matter.
10:54 a.m. 700 block of General Hodges Street; Assistance.
11:42 a.m. 1000 block of Fig Street; Medical.
11:48 a.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Complaint.
11:59 a.m. 6500 block of La. 182; Reckless driving.
2:07 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Disturbance.
2:26 p.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Disturbance.
3:06 p.m. 600 block of Freret Street; Theft.
3:23 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
3:25 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Alarm.
3:58 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Disturbance.
4:03 p.m. 1000 block of Clothilde Street; Disturbance.
4:17 p.m. 500 block of Aucoin Street; Disturbance.
5:08 p.m. 1100 block of Ninth Street; Alarm.
6:18 p.m. 600 block of General Patton Street; Vandalism.
6:41 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant/arrest.
6:53 p.m. Glenwood and Halsey streets area; Loud music.
7:57 p.m. 1300 block of Youngs Road; Suspicious vehicle/arrest.
8:06 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue ; Complaint.
8:29 p.m. Duke and Fifth streets area; Medical emergency.
9:35 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
11:57 p.m. 500 block of Franklin Street; Suspicious subject.
Thursday, Sept. 17
12:01 a.m. Patterson area; Be on the Lookout St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
12:07 a.m. 2400 block of Cypress Street; Juvenile problems.
12:18 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
12:39 a.m. 7300 La. 182; Alarm.

Matherne wins TGMC award

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 10:54am

Terrebonne General Medical Center announced Dr. Brian J. Matherne as the Golden Stethoscope Award recipient.
The prominent Golden Stethoscope Award recognizes a Terrebonne General Medical Center physician for his or her professionalism, integrity and teamwork in caring for patients and families, as well as interacting with hospital staff members and other physicians.
Nominations can be made by physicians, employees, patients, and volunteers and recognizes two phy-sicians a year.
Matherne, a family practice physician, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Nicholls State University and subsequently graduated from Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
“I am honored and humbled to have been recognized for this award, this is a true privilege,” Matherne said in the release.

Jim Bradshaw: One war hero's cause advances

Fri, 09/18/2020 - 10:52am

JIM BRADSHAW

The movement to proclaim Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur a saint has taken an important step with the opening of his Cause for Canonization by the Vatican.
The heroic World War II chaplain, who was born in Ville Platte, is now the third person from south Louisiana to be entered into the official process of investigation for sainthood. Bishop Douglas Deshotel began the process for Charlene Richard, the young girl from Acadia Parish, and Auguste “Nonco” Pelafigue of Arnaudville in January, but the announcement for Father Lafleur was delayed by red tape.
The Cause for Canonization is a process filled with red tape that includes testimony documenting how people were affected by Father Lafleur during his lifetime and after his death. It can take years and concludes with a recommendation to the Pope on whether he should declare someone worthy of our veneration. A growing number of people in south Louisiana believe that question doesn’t even have to be asked in this case.
Father Lafleur was an Army Air Corps chaplain who died saving the lives of fellow GIs who were Japanese prisoners of war.
He was born in 1912, the fourth child of Valentine and Agatha Dupré Lafleur, and entered the seminary in 1927. He was ordained in the spring of 1938, joined the air corps in 1941, and was sent to the Philippines that July. He was at Clark Field near Manila on December 8, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Japanese planes carpeted the air base with bombs and raked it with gunfire.
Until that day, his superior officers worried about Father Lafleur. He wasn’t a very big man. He had something of a baby face—photos of him wearing rimless eyeglasses are reminiscent of Radar O’Reilly of the “M*A*S*H” television series — and still had traces of his Cajun accent. The officers thought he might have trouble earning the respect of the other men in his unit.
There was no need to worry. As waves of planes pounded the field, he calmly went about his business, doing what he could to comfort the hundreds of men who were wounded or dying.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in May 1942 for his “courageous ministrations” during that attack. According to the citation, he “refused to seek shelter despite the intensive attacks of dive bombers and the strafing of the field.”
As enemy troops steadily advanced, he declined evacuation from Manila, even though he knew the base was about to be overrun. He stayed behind to minister to his comrades, was taken prisoner with them, and spent two and a half years in Japanese captivity. One-third of his fellow prisoners died from disease, malnutrition, and mistreatment. Father Lafleur bartered everything he had, including his glasses, for bits of food and medicine to give to those who remained.
As the U. S. began to reclaim Pacific islands that had been taken by the Japanese, he and other prisoners were crammed into a small freighter to be taken to Japan. The ship was supposed to fly a white flag indicating that it was carrying 750 POWs. It didn’t do that, and was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine on September 7, 1944.
As the ship caught fire and began to sink, Father Lafleur held a rope ladder steady while other men scrambled to safety. That was how he was last seen, helping others to get out of the burning hold as the ship was going under.
Richard Lafleur, a nephew, and his wife Carol have over the past twenty years provided information to church leaders about Father Lafleur’s life and death and urged them to consider his canonization. Father James Brady, then pastor at St. Landry church in Opelousas, and Father Mark Ledoux, now pastor at St. Peter’s in Carencro, took up the cause several years ago.
The Lafleurs said a Vatican official was to going to come from Rome for the formal opening of the canonization process, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented that. Bishop Deshotel made the official announcement.
That probably would have been just fine with Father Lafleur. I suspect he is looking down on all of this with utter amazement that someone from the Vatican would want to come to Louisiana to talk about how he did what he considered his duty as a priest and as a soldier.
A collection of Jim Bradshaw’s columns, "Cajuns and Other Characters," is now available from Pelican Publishing. You can contact him at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.