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Dionne Michelle Thomas, 46, a resident and native of Morgan City, La., passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 1:10 pm at Teche Regional Medical Center.
Visitation will be observed on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Mt. Era Baptist Church 406 Lawrence Street Morgan City, La. from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 1 p.m. with Reverend Norman A. Stovall, Officiating. Burial will follow funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Memories of Dionne will forever remain in the hearts of her loving mother, Kathryn Thomas of Morgan City, La.; five brothers, Lawrence (Elrica) Watson of Bossier City, La., Darren Watson, Ivory (Elena) Thomas, and Michael Thomas all of Morgan City, La. and Theron Thomas of Houston, TX; one sister, Keisha Thomas of Morgan City, La. and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.
Dionne was preceded in death by her father, Ivory Thomas, Jr., a niece, Darriana Watson; her paternal grandparents, Ivory Thomas and Kate Allen and her maternal grandparents, Zelmo and Leola Watson.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeal-home.com to send condolences to family.

March 20, 1932 – October 16, 2017
The death and celebration of life for Rev. Robert “Bobby” Hodnett will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at Little Pass Baptist Church in Charenton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, October 20, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin. Visitation will continue at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at Little Pass Baptist Church with services to follow at 10 a.m. Rev. Richard Debusk, Rev. Chris Holloway, and John Darden will conduct the services. Interment will be at Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, La. at 3 p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Robert B. Bailey, J. Logan Welch, Beau J. Bourque, Jason Smith, Micah L. Bierig, Jack Hidalgo, Cody J.Compton and Rhion B. Jordan.
Bro. Bobby, a native of Colfax, Louisiana, and a resident of the Baldwin and Franklin area for the past 50 years, passed away at the age of 85 on Monday, October 16, 2017. He was a faithful servant in the ministry for 60 plus years. His hobby was wood working and he shared his love of carving with many. His passions were missions and his sincere love for people.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his five daughters, Yvonne Hodnett Welch, Renee Hodnett Griffin (Fred), Angie Hodnett Bailey (Kent), Elisabeth Hodnett Chambers and Ruth Hodnett; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and one brother, Raymond Odell Hodnett of Colfax.
He is proceeded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Dean Hodnett, and his parents, Pete and Olive Hodnett.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider making memorial contributions to Little Pass Baptist Church (note in memo for Rev. Hodnett Memorial Fund), PO Box 326, Charenton, Louisiana 70523.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, La. 70538, (337) 828-5426.

Albert Joseph Foulcard, 78, a native and resident of Franklin, La. passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 9:38 a.m. at his residence.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday October 21, 2017 from 8 a.m. until a rosary being recited at 9:45 a.m. at the St Jules Catholic Church in Franklin, La. Tributes and Expressions will begin at 10 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Father Peter Emusa serving as the Celebrant. Burial will follow mass services with Full Military Honors in the St Jules Catholic Church Cemetery in Franklin, La.
ALBERT JOSEPH FOULCARD
May 26, 1939 ~ October 15, 2017
Albert graduated from the Willow Street High School in Franklin in 1958. After high school, he attended Southern University and A&M College obtaining a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mathematics. Albert later attended Texas Southern of Houston, Texas where he obtained 30+ credits Master of Science Degree in Administration Supervision. He later enlisted into the United States Army being stationed in Germany before receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Albert was a member of the St. Jules Catholic Church, the Knights of Saint Peter Claver, the American Legion and VFW. Professionally, Albert was a Teacher and later became a Principal with the St. Mary Parish School Board. After 35 years of service to the St. Mary Parish School Board, Albert finally retired in 1996.
Albert J. Foulcard was the first African American elected Chairman of the St. Mary Parish Council and the first African American to serve as interim Parish President. During his years in public office in 1979, President Jimmy Carter invited him to the White House to discuss Community Action and other federally funded agencies and their local impact in the community. In 1984, he exerted much energy and time in the “humane” areas. His concentration was spent on Teche Action Clinic, Community Action Agency, hospitals, schools, churches, mental health and the Council on Aging.
Albert is survived by his wife, Earlean Dotson Foulcard of Houston, Texas; one son, Troy (Ifey) Pillette of the Woodlands, Texas; two step-children to his marriage to Earlean, Jarrett Dotson of Houston, Texas; and Nichole Dotson-Olajuwon of Houston, Texas; four brothers, Don Foulcard, Ted (Betty) Foulcard, Joseph Foulcard and Charles R. Foulcard, all of Franklin La; one sister, Aline Foulcard Lageman, of Los Angeles, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Elouise Foulcard and Lydia Foulcard, both of Franklin La.; three God Children, Carl “Bum-Dee” Foulcard Jr., Schuyler Williams, and Texas House of Representative, Shawn Thierry and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sr. and Jennie Louise Foulcard; three brothers Malcolm, Claude and Carl Foulcard and a sister, Mary Foulcard.
His dedication to the people of St. Mary Parish was reflected in his motto; “Everybody is Somebody’
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

St. Mary Community Action Agency’s Chief Executive Officer/Head Start Administrator Almetra J. Franklin announced that St. Mary Parish Head Start Centers will recognize October as Head Start Awareness Month with a variety of activities.
“The CAA board, policy council, staff and parents are excited to be a part of the Head Start network,” she said. “The program is valuable to the community and certainly makes a difference.”
St. Mary Parish Head Start Centers kicked off Head Start Awareness activities on Oct. 5 when students participated in the Fit, Fun, and Fabulous Day children’s event in Franklin. Some of the local centers have planned special activities for parents.
On Oct. 19 Head Start will hold Fun Day in Caffery Park, Barrow Street in Franklin, celebrating Head Start’s 52 years of existence nationally. All St. Mary Head Start centers and any local Pre-K schools are invited to set-up for their classes and enjoy activities planned such as a 9:30 a.m. Health Walk, a 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. McGruff presentation, local band entertainment, face painting, vendor presentations, fun jumps, center lunch, group competitions and prizes. Schools should register with the Family Service Department by calling 337-828-5703.
Local vendors are requested to come out in Franklin on Oct. 19 and set up information or safe fun items that Head Start students/visiting schools and parents in St. Mary Parish may benefit. Vendors must register with Special Events Coordinator, Delores Stewart by calling 337-828-5703.
Head Start is a Child Development Program funded by the federal government administered in this area by the St. Mary Community Action Agency. The Head Start Program in St. Mary and Vermilion Parishes provides children ages 3-5 with a safe, nurturing and secure learning environment at no cost to the parent. We provide the children with activities that help them to grow mentally, socially, emotionally and physically. We also work with families to identify and achieve their goals and aspirations. School Readiness is a top priority for St. Mary/Vermilion CAA Head Start program. Head Start views school readiness as children possessing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in school and for later learning and life.
Contact Family and Community Partnership Specialist Pearl Barnes-Rack for further information or to confirm that you will join in the activities.