TGS Newsletter
Vol. 25 No. 3 May 2006

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     Can it be true? After all that happened to us last year, does 60% of the population still have no family disaster plan in place? It’s hard to believe, even knowing how some of us are procrastinators and some more of us are convinced that “It’s not going to happen here.” Is it because we have survived this time, so we think lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place? If that’s so, I’ve got news for you. It does. It can. And it probably will. Aren’t there any Boy Scouts left that believe in the motto “Be Prepared?” Well, if there are, you will be happy with our plans for this month’s program. Our speaker, none other than our peripatetic recording secretary, Sheila RODRIGUE, will talk about “Long-term Evacuation: Been There, Done That.” Plus we will give you a form to help your family make a plan for any disaster. Not JUST a hurricane, but it will do for that, too. You will be glad you came. I promise.
     Speaking of Sheila RODRIGUE, our recording secretary, reminds me that when she read the minutes of the March meeting at the April meeting, I suddenly remembered something. She reminded me that I had forgotten to mention our illustrious editor, Audrey WESTERMAN, in the April newsletter. I should have told everyone about the Lifetime Achievement Award that was presented to Audrey by the Lafourche Heritage Society for her outstanding work. We all know what a wonderful researcher she is, but it is nice to be recognized by your peers. Good Job, Audrey, we’re proud of you!
     You may remember that the Executive Board of our Society voted to replace any of our quarterlies that were lost to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita by libraries on the Gulf Coast. We recently received a thank-you letter. You may be interested in hearing what they said. It is from the West Biloxi Branch Library at 2047 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531. I quote “Thank you for your generous donation of the Terrebonne Life Lines journals to the Murella H. Powell Local History & Genealogy Collection of the Biloxi Public Library, Harrison County Library System. The Local History & Genealogy Department is now located in the West Biloxi Library, and we are excited to have these journals as our collections redevelop post-Hurricane Katrina. Our researchers and staff will appreciate your contribution to our collections for many years to come. Thank you again for this valuable resource, and we are proud to make it available for our patrons...” It is signed by Jamie Ellis, Local History & Genealogy Librarian. If you should happen to visit the library, tell them you are proud to be a member of TGS.

DEATHS: Noted author Jacqueline K. VOORHIES Born in Bucharest, Romania, Jackie VOORHIES attended school both in Romania and France. She completed her education with an M.A. in Foreign Languages and taught at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL).
During her time as an instructor at USL, she was a researcher and translator for the USL Archives and Center for Louisiana Studies. She is the author of numerous articles, books and essays on the Acadian people in Louisiana.
     Mrs. VOORHIES played an active role in her community. In 1974, she was responsible for the erection of the historical bilingual markers on Main Street and has recently been involved in a project to restore them. She served in various capacities preserving the French culture in Louisiana. For example, she played an active role in the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) and served as co-chair of the twinning of the city of New Iberia with Woluwe-St. Pierre in Belgium. She also was instrumental in the formation of Les Sons du Teche, a Christmas chorale in New Iberia.
     She is survived by her husband, Dr. Vernon A. VOORHIES of New Iberia; five daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie and Davy BURTON, Cathy and Johnny INDEST, Aline VOORHIES, Marie and Eddy FROIS, and Dean STOKES; two sons and daughters-in-law, M. Alexis and Gwen VOORHIES and Steven and Gabriela VOORHIES.
     She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, and by a first cousin, William STEINBACH of California.
      Former member Geraldine Navarre BULLOCK died on Monday, December 26, 2005. She was a native and resident of Gretna, LA. She is survived by three daughters: Janet RICHARD, Barbara SCHMITT, Connie LOOMIS and a son, Ralph LACOSTE; two brothers, Robert and Michael NAVARRE; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was 84 years of age. She was preceded in death by first husband Octave J. LACOSTE and second husband James G. BULLOCK; sisters Ethel CLEM, Valerie and Mary NAVARRE; and brothers Roy Sr. and Elmo NAVARRE. Burial at Westlawn Memorial Park, Gretna, Louisiana.
     Member Dorothy C. CHAISSON  died at 5:30 a. .m. Monday, April 17, 2006. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Nolan James CHAISSON of Houma; four sons, Kenneth Dean CHAISSON and partner, Anita JOHNSON, Keith Daniel CHAISSON and wife, Jamie Lynn DUPLANTIS, Cary James CHAISSON and wife, Judy Lynn WEBRE, and Chad Michael CHAISSON, senior at Nicholls State University; two daughters, Karen CHAISSON MORVANT and husband, Joseph C. MORVANT Jr., and Crissie CHAISSON PITRE and husband, Madrid A. PITRE; three brothers, Glynn Joseph CUNNINGHAM and wife, Sue MAXEY, Albert Joseph CUNNINGHAM Jr. and wife, Evelyn HENRY, and Daniel Keith CUNNINGHAM and wife, Tammy CHAMPAGNE; 11 grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.
     She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Joseph CUNNINGHAM Sr. and Edith Marie GUIDRY; one sister, Carol Ann WOOLEY; her maternal grandparents, Jean Eddie GUIDRY and Marie Olivia BOURG; her paternal grandparents, Joseph Louis CUNNINGHAM and Cornelia Virginie DeROCHE; and her paternal step-grandfather, Whitney HUTCHINSON.
She served as a religious-education teacher and aide during the 80s and 90s. She also served as Eucharistic Minister at Annunziata Catholic Church.
     She was a homemaker and worked alongside her husband in a small business. She loved genealogy, photo projects on her computer and loved to sew. She also loved to spoil her grandchildren.
     Former member, Georgia "Jay" Ella SAVOIE PORCHE, 81, a native of Bayou Blue, died after a battle with Alzheimer’s at 8:50 a.m. Monday, April 24, 2006. She was buried in Matherne Cemetery.
     She is survived by three children, Darlene BERGERON and husband, Kenneth, Gilbert POCHE and wife, Theresa, and Faith BOUDREAUX and husband, Don; one brother, Earl SAVOIE and wife, Morine; one sister, Rhoda GROS; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
     She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey John "Pete" PORCHE, two children, Pomela Amanda and Dewey John "Sonny"; her parents, Gabriel Joseph and Gracious MARTIN SAVOIE; four brothers, Warren, Hudson, Nolan and Titus; and six sisters, Nora, Lorina, Eula, Hilda, Esther and Ruth.
     She was a pioneer in many endeavors during her lifetime. She was instrumental in the formation of DAV, VA Genealogical Society and Women’s Ministries in the Houma-Terrebonne area. She helped to establish the Bayou Blue Recreation Center and the Bayou Blue Senior Citizens Center. She was a farmer’s wife, a Girl Scout leader, Sunday-school teacher and a Sunshine Sister. She was the first cosmetologist and beautician in Bayou Blue. She will be remembered best for her singing and playing the guitar, her crocheted afghans, fresh homemade bread, having family functions, loving and spoiling her grandchildren and by being there every time someone needed a home-cooked meal.
  
GENEALOGICAL WORKSHOP will be held in Natchitoches, LA, on Saturday, September 30, 2006. Speakers will be Robert de BERARDINIS and Judy RIFFEL. (The note under Mr. de BERARDINIS’ description says you are encouraged to bring records that you need transcribed. True!) For the afternoon session, the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse and the Genealogy Library will be open for research, and assistance will be available. Cost is only $25.00, and that includes morning refreshments. For more information, write the Natchitoches Genealogical & Historical Association, P. O. Box 1349, Natchitoches, LA 71458-1349, or phone 318-357-2235, or email ngha at wnonline.net
 
WEST BANK GENEALOGY SOCIETY: In case you haven’t heard, their meetings are now being held at the Library in Westwego. Please make an effort to attend.
 
LOOKING FOR PICTURES: Mrs. Veronese DOUGLAS is looking for help with her documentation of the schools in the area that served the children of African-American descent. She asked if anyone had pictures or records of attendance at the Houma Negro High School (Naval Base School) or the Public School on Church Street, or the Houma Colored Elementary School, to please contact her. You may write her at 110 Morrison Ave., Houma, LA 70364-2944, or call 985-868-1641 (no collect calls, please). This is a story that is crying out to be told. Please help her if you can.
 
OBITUARY BOOKS, 2005: We are taking orders NOW for the Lafourche Comet Deaths, 2005, the Houma Courier Deaths, 2005, and the Houma Courier Engagements and Births, 2005. Prices of each book will be found on the order form included with this newsletter. Just remember, it’s better to be able to say “I’m glad I did,” than “I wish I had.” We do not carry these books with our regular publications. We print enough to satisfy the orders we get and then it is over. Done. Fini.