BEVERLY VEILLON BURNHAM

VILLE PLATTE - Funeral services for Beverly Veillon Burnham, 87, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 12, 2017 at our Lady Queen of all Saints Catholic Church, with burial to follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Father Mitch Guidry will officiate.
Mrs. Burnham, a resident of Ville Platte, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Heritage Manor nursing home. Beverly was a life-long teacher having taught in both Calcasieu and Evangeline Parish Schools. She retired from Evangeline Parish after being instrumental in setting up and teaching in the local Reading Lab. Reading was an avid passion and love of hers. Her lawn and flower gardens were well known in the area for their plushness, color, and beauty. Complete strangers would stop by requesting a clipping or a bulb. Of course,the inevitable questions on ‘how to’ would follow. Bev was an incredible cook who was able to make a hot dog jambalaya taste like a gourmet treat! But, her biggest passion was the love she had for the six children she raised as a single parent. The pinnacle came when she threw herself a graduation party after her youngest graduated from LSU. She had achieved her lifelong education goal of having all six of her ‘chicks’ earn a university degree. She was as kind as she was generous as her many friends would attest to. All those who knew her loved and respected her. A life that was well lived as an inspiration and mentor. Her sage wisdom and loving guidance will be missed. Beverly was the consummate host and a true Southern Belle.
She will be missed by her son James B. Shipp and wife, Brenda of Ville Platte; daughters Martha S. Miller and husband, Keith of Ville Platte, Paula S. DeShetler and husband, Scott of Colorado, Juliana S. Darbonne and husband, Randy of Texas, Rosemary S. Benoit and husband, Ben of Lafayette, and stepdaughter Annette Aucoin; brother Michael Veillon of Ville Platte; sister Barbara Friedman of Bunkie; 15 grandchildren, Daniel Shipp, Hope Shipp Fontenot, Kevin Shipp, Heather Shipp Dupre, James Miller, Jeremy Miller, Zachary DeShetler, Katherine DeShetler, Anne DeShetler, Justin Lafleur, Dr. Elizabeth L. Pritchett, Lia Soileau, Amy Murphy, Sarah Mowery, and Tyler Stephens II, seven step grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and five step great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents Lindsey and Gladys Miller Veillon; husband Gerald Burnham Sr.; daughter Susan Lafleur; stepson Gerald Burnham Jr.; brother Charles Veillon; grandchild Christopher Shipp; and step grandchild John Burnham.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 11, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary being recited at 6:30, and will resume again Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
The guestbook can be signed online at www.lavillefuneralhome.net
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Evangeline Parish library or the Sacred Heart Foundation.
LaVille Funeral Home in Ville Platte is in charge of arrangements.