Erath - A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. J. D. Vincent the former Inez LeBlanc, 92, will be held at 3:00PM on Friday, January 9, 2015 at our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Bill Melancon officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum. Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath on Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 4:00PM until 8:00PM. Visitation will resume on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 10:00AM until the time of the service with a recitation of the rosary at 11:00AM. As a tribute to Mrs. Vincent there will be an hour of remembrance for friends to share their thoughts at 1:00PM on Friday, January 9, 2014. A native of Vermilion Parish and a longtime resident of Erath, Mrs. Vincent died at 7:27PM on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at her residence. Mrs. Inez was born in rural Vermilion Parish. Her formal education began at a Catholic school in New Orleans where her father worked in the furniture business. When her family returned to Vermilion Parish, she completed her elementary education at the LeBlanc School. After graduating from Erath High School in 1939, she entered Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI presently UL Lafayette). She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics on February 26, 1944. Mrs. Vincent's first teaching assignment was at Morganza High School in Point Coupee Parish. The following year, she was assigned to Erath High School where she taught for twenty-nine years. She retired from teaching in May 1974 and shortly thereafter began to substitute teacher which she did till 2012. In the fall of 1957 Mrs. Vincent was invited to be a guest cook of Town and Farm Journal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with all expenses paid. She presented a feature story on seafood and it's preparation. This presentation was published in their magazine. The school board gave her a two week leave to participate in this event. After retirement, Mrs. Vincent became involved with the USL (currently UL Lafayette) Home Economics Alumni. From 1987 till 1989 she served as president of the organization. Mrs. Vincent served as vice president of La Famille de Leblanc. While serving as vice president she attended a French Immersion course at the University of St. Anne in Church Point, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was selected to receive le Pris d' Houneur, Prize of Honor, presented at a banquet held at end of the course. In 2001, Inez was the Grand Marshal of the Erath 4th of July Parade. This is given to one who has worked in and promoted the Erath community on a volunteer basis. Mrs. Vincent is an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. This organization promotes professional and personal growth of women educators. She also belongs to the Vermilion Parish and State Retired Teachers Association. Mrs Vincent continued to be invited to judge the cooking categories at numerous fair and festivals. She volunteered at the Erath Museum. In 1997 and 1998 she helped the USL Folklore Department with programs featuring our Cajun Heritage. Mrs. Vincent was a volunteer with the American Red Cross three times. She served for weeks in 1984 when Erath Flooded. Several years later there was a power outage in Abbeville, the Red Cross called her again. In 2000 Erath flooded again, she served as a volunteer. Mrs. Vincent's hobbies include traveling. Her first tour was to the eastern part of Canada, where she was so touched with the Acadians in Nova Scotia that she came home and became involved with genealogy. She has been back to Canada several times where she made lifelong friends. Other hobbies where flower and vegetable gardening, line dancing, quilting, cooking, baking and making gifts. She has been an avid walker for years, who has been known to walk many miles on the streets of Erath. She can also be seen playing a good game of bourree' with friends. Mrs. Vincent was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where she served as a proclaimer of the word. She was member of the Catholic Daughters and Ladies Altar Society. She is survived by two sons, Thomas M. Vincent and Timothy J. Vincent both of Erath; three sisters, Irene Dronet of Erath, Leona Poche' of Erath, and Lois Lanphear of Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, Leigh and her husband Bobby Collier of Birmingham, AL, and Jacques Vincent; and one great grandchild, Cameron Collier. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph "J.D." Vincent; her parents, Etienne and Erita Leleux LeBlanc; a brother, Guy LeBlanc; and a grandchild, Samuel Bryant Vincent. Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews. Serving as gift bearers and readers will be her nieces. David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.
