Deaths: April 10

LORETTA BELLARD THOMAS

September 18, 1956 - April 4, 2008

Funeral services were held for Loretta Bellard Thomas, 51, of Angleton, Texas, at St. Paul Baptist Church in Ville Platte at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 9. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

A native of Belaire Cove, Mrs. Thomas died Friday, April 4, 2008, at Cypress Wood Facility in Angleton, Texas. As a child, she was taught the values of living her life in a manner that would be pleasing to God. She developed a strong belief in Christ early in life, and she learned the word of God was her salvation. She strived to live by the word. She was also taught and believed that family is critical to building the soul and the spirit. It was her life-long prayer that all of her family and friends would share in this belief. She was baptized at an early age at St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. C.J. Jones. She was later united with the Family Life Church under the leadership of Pastor Craig Taylor in Angleton, Texas. She taught fourth grade at Angleton Elementary for 17 years.

Survivors include her husband of 27 years, Kirk Thomas of Angleton, Texas; one son, Darrin Kody Thomas of Angleton, Texas; two sisters, Elsie Bellard of Ville Platte and Nancy Gallow and her husband, Earlis, of Lawtell; two brothers, Larry Bellard and his wife, Laura, of Ville Platte and Peter Bellard and his wife, Fannie, of West Columbia, Texas; her precious oncologist, Dr. Charles Manner of Houston, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Agnes Watson Bellard; three sisters; one son; one brother; ad one brother-in-law, Murphy Bellard.

Rev. Herman Arvie officiated. The eulogy was delivered by her nephew, Pastor Gilbert Richardson of Fort Worth, Texas; and Rev. Freddie Jack provided words of comfort for family and friends of Thomas.

ELLA SMITH CHAPMAN

MAMOU - Funeral services were held for Ella Smith Chapman, 101, of Mamou, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mamou at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 9. Burial followed in the New St. Ann’s Cemetery.

Ms. Chapman died Monday, April 7, 2008, at Savoy Care Center in Mamou.

Survivors include one brother, Ilience Smith of Bossier City; four grandchildren, Robin Roy and Diana of Broussard, Cindy Roy Goodwin of Crystal Beach, Texas, Tony Roy of Lake Charles and Angela “Pettie” Roy Bergeron and Corey of Nashville, Tennessee; nine great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her parents, Smith and Lucia Fuselier Smith; her husband, Hosea Chapman; two daughters, Eldera C. Roy and Geneva Chapman; and one grandson, Shane Roy.

Quirk and Son Funeral Home of Eunice was in charge of arrangements.

ODRIA WYNN CROSBY

April 14, 1926 - April 5, 2008

MELDER - Funeral services were held for Odria Wynn Crosby, 81, of Pine Prairie, at Pine Prairie First Baptist Church at 2 p.m., Monday, April 7. Burial followed in the Camp Ground Cemetery in Melder.

Rush Funeral Home of Oakdale was in charge of arrangements.

BRENT ‘SCHULTZ’ VIZINAT

October 24, 1953 - April 8, 2008

CHATAIGNIER - Funeral services will be held for Brent “Schultz” Vizinat, 54, of Point Blue, at the LaVille Funeral Home Chapel in Ville Platte at 2 p.m., today, April 10. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Chataignier.

Mr. Vizinat died Wednesday, April 8, 2008. He was retired from Village de Memoire and had a huge love for guns, camping and just being outdoors.

Survivors include his parents, Lionel “Taxi” and Audrey Vizinat of Point Blue; his wife, Ann Guillory Vizinat of Ville Platte; one step-son, Jonas Vidrine of Ville Platte; two step-daughters, Sarah Johnson and Abby Jo Fontenot, both of Ville Platte; one brother, Craig Vizinat of Point Blue; three nieces, Chasity Vizinat, Courtney Moreau and Casey Vizinat; and four step-grandchildren.

Condolences to the family may be sent to www.lavillefuneralhome.net.

LaVille Funeral Home of Ville Platte will be in charge of arrangements.

ARMOZA ARDOIN RICHARDSON

October 17, 1913 - April 7, 2008

Funeral services will be held for Armoza Ardoin Richardson, 94, of Beaumont, Texas, at Disciple Baptist Church in Ville Platte at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 12. Burial will follow in the Ninth Baptist Church Cemetery.

Williams Funeral Home of Ville Platte will be in charge of arrangements.