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Two St. Mary Parish deputies who came to the aid of local people were among those honored with awards at the Sheriff’s Office Award Banquet on Feb. 8 at the Old Building in Berwick.

Cpl. Blake Giroir received the Lifesaving Award for taking actions “instrumental in saving the life of a 4-year-old child who was in the water,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

In addressing those gathered, Giroir said he recently saw the child playing in the yard, which “made the job worth it.”

The Valor Award went to Lt. Monique Francis, a 26-year veteran of the SMPSO who serves hand in hand with Drug Court.

During the review of a recent shots-fired incident, the bodycam of Francis showed that after a shot was fired, she responded without hesitation, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“She headed directly toward the shot while civilians ran away from the sound,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

After discovering the injured victim, Lt. Francis began efforts to aid the victim.

“Her actions were found to be valorous in the face of what she thought at the time was an active shooter situation,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Lt. Francis’ actions showed her training and courage in facing danger.”

Awards from each section were given, and an overall Deputy of the Year was chosen.

Other award-winners:
—Patrol Section Award: Cpl. Blake Giroir, K9 deputy.
—Civil Division Award, Monique Smith.
—Special Services Award: Lt. 1st Class Bart Lange.
—Corrections Award, Lt. Brian Benoit.
—Deputy of the Year: Lt. 1st Class Bart Lange.

Elizabeth McCleary, 66, a native of Morgan City and resident of Houma, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

Visitation will be Friday, 9-11 a.m., followed by a mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Morgan City. Burial will be at a later date.

She is survived by a son, Stephen McCleary; daughter Agatha McCleary; brother, Rene Rhodes; sister, Linda Aucoin; and a grandchild.

Eric John Crochet, 63, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at Terrebonne General Hospital in Houma.

He is survived by two sons, Durlyn Crochet and Clay Crochet; daughter, Kelsey Crochet; brothers, Tracy Crochet, Scott Crochet, Ched Crochet and Dwight Crochet; and a host of other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Visitation was Feb. 13 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial followed in Morgan City Cemetery.

Twin City Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

June 30, 1943 — February 7, 2023

Edward Guy Bell, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Morgan City, LA on February 7, 2023. Ed Bell, better known to friends and family as “Eddie Guy”, was born in New Orleans on June 30, 1943. Ed grew up in Franklin, LA, where he was educated by the Christian Brothers at Hanson Memorial High School. While at Hanson, Ed played football under the legendary Coach Dick McClosky, was a member of the State Championship debate team of Bell, Fernandez, Haile and Daspit, and started dating his first and only love and future wife Veeder Barbara McKoin. Ed worked since childhood to pay his own way, delivering newspapers, working in filling stations, and lifeguarding at the Franklin swimming pool. After high school Ed attended Springhill College in Mobile, Alabama before transferring to USL in Lafayette. He worked as a rough-neck offshore and, being a trained pianist, earned money for school playing in various venues and filling in with bands. In 1965, Ed decided to put college on hold and joined the United States Marine Corps. He often said that this was the best decision he could have made as it helped him to mature, become self-disciplined, and strengthened him both physically and mentally.

After his stint in the Marine Corps, Ed finished his collegiate studies at Loyola University in New Orleans where he earned a degree in Economics. After several career changes, he eventually got his realtor’s license. He and Veeder were married with three children when he learned of a job opportunity in Morgan City as sales director of a new housing development outside of Amelia. He applied for the position and was hired, moved his family to Morgan City, and the next chapter of his life began.

After the housing development closed, Ed began doing FMHA loans. Then he learned about a new program called the Federal Business and Industrial Loan program or B&I program. Ed flew to Washington, D.C., where he met with Louisiana Senator Russel Long, who was a co-sponsor of the program. After learning about the program and the regulations, he returned to Louisiana and packaged his first loan for a marine service company in Amelia. Ed worked with the U.S.D.A. office in New Iberia and with Austin Cormier, who later became the State Director and a lifelong friend. However, he couldn’t find a bank to fund the loan. With the assistance of Senator Long, a bank in Maryland agreed to do the funding. After that one success, state banks gradually became more cooperative and less cautious about funding loans for the B&I program.

Ed went on to facilitate and close countless loans, locally and throughout the state, helping businesses that needed cash to survive while providing additional capital for others to expand. His successes led to expansion outside of oil-field related businesses in Louisiana and into other industries in other states. Ed had the unique ability to win over government bureaucrats and politicians alike, and to convince skeptical bankers to work with him, many of whom doubted the skill and knowledge of the young man from Louisiana. His reputation grew not only because of his skill and business acumen, but also because of his honesty and integrity. He would never sign a contract or accept a retainer if he had doubts about the feasibility of the loan’s success. Despite dealing with projects seemingly impossible to achieve, Ed always proceeded with resolve, remained calm under pressure, and resisted calls to rush through the process by worried business owners whom had much to lose should their loans not be approved. He became the premier B&I “Packager” and did more loans with the highest approval rate than anyone else in the country. Many of his associates encouraged him to relocate to a larger city but he had grown to love the community of Morgan City and his friends there and had no desire to move. After travels and work, he was always happiest to return to the old house that he and Veeder and his six children called home. In 2016, he traveled to Washington, D.C., where he was inducted into the Rural Lenders’ Hall of Fame by the USDA Rural Development.

Ed retired several years ago, maintaining sincere and long-lasting friendships that were formed as a result of his endeavors. He considered himself fortunate to have known many senators, congressmen, governors, and even presidents.

He was always proud to be a Marine and regularly attended the Marine Corps Christmas Concerts with his family. His love for cooking was well known and he always enjoyed the opportunity to entertain family and friends on the piano.

He was appointed by Governor Edwin Edwards to serve on the SBA Board, was a member of the Mystik Krewe of Louisianians, as well as a member of the Krewe of Hephaestus in Morgan City where he served as a Duke and Captain. He was also a longtime member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elizabeth “Kena” Aycock and Matt Bell, his grandparents Florence Lewis and Dr. Guy Aycock, and a brother, Vernon “Chips” Bell.

He is survived by siblings Rob Bell, Roye Pontiff, Gigi Dossey, Phil Bell, and Missy DuBois. Also by best friends and traveling companions the Fernandezes and Hailes and best neighbors Andre and Greig.

Ed is survived by his wife Veeder of 55 years, and 6 children and 18 grandchildren: Jane and children Mary Barbara, Patrick, Guy, Anna, and William Pitts; Benjamin (Jennifer) and Robert and Charlotte Bell; Anne (Dr. Mark Jones) and Annabella, Luke, and Adelaide; Charlotte (Ranney) and children Mary Margaret, Nicholas, and Lillian McSpadden and Madelyn Suttoon; Mary Katharine and children Grace and Michael Salmon; and Barbara (Joe) and Joseph and Ava Berry.

Ed lived his life to the fullest on his terms, seemingly without a care in the world and with no regrets. His most precious legacy was his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be terribly missed.

No services are planned at this time.