Blog Post

"Veavil"

J.M. Morrow Nursing Home and the Nonco Foundation Volunteer, Betty Roy • Feb 02, 2020

"Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows."

Visiting with Veavil reminded me of the famous quote by Helen Keller: "Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows."

This is how she has lived and is still living her life. She is Veavil Theresa Latiolais, Mrs. Joe Guidry. Stop in to laugh with her anytime.

Veavil recounts the story her mother told of her birth. It was a cold, but sunny, November 24, 1929, day when her mother’s sister assisted in Veavil’s birth. As was the custom, Veavil’s mother, Cecilia Huval Latiolais, delivered all three of her children, one boy and two girls, at home. They were called J.C., Mary and Veavil. Cecilia had heard the name “Veavil.” It was unusual and she liked it. She chose that name for her baby.

Veavil’s early years must have seemed easy to her parents. Two years before, not long after Veavil’s sister was born, the family had to evacuate to Lafayette in advance of the floodwaters of 1927 when the levee broke. They lived in a tent city off the Breaux Bridge Highway in the hilly area around the intersection of the Breaux Bridge Highway and the Lake Martin Road. In French, “hill” is “ colline” so the French-speaking exacuatees would explain that they had been sent to “la colline.” After the waters receded, the Clebert Latiolais family returned to their peaceful home in Grand Anse.

Veavil was the baby of her family. Her sister and brother attended a small school in Grand Anse; but, the family moved and so all of Veavil’s 11 years of schooling was at the Cecilia School. Transportation to school was in a “transfert d’ecole” drawn by horses. In the 7th grade, the boy who sat in front of Veavil was George “Joe” Guidry who would become her husband. Joe did not graduate from school. He had to quit to help his father on the farm.

Veavil earned her diploma in 1947 after 11 years. There was no 12th grade at the time; but it was the last year for the 11 year program. The following year, the 12th grade was added. Veavil earned a scholarship to Northwestern State in Natchitoches; but, there was no way her family could afford to send her to college. What followed high school made for a very fun-filled life.

One Saturday night, when Veavil was at the Wild Cherry Club in Breaux Bridge, she danced with Joe Guidry, the boy who sat in front of her in 7th grade. He was a good dancer; but he did not enjoy dancing. The Wild Cherry Club was known as the “Longest Bar in Town.” It is where the young people danced. There was always a Cajun band that played on Saturday nights.

“My grandmother died during this time. We respected the dead, so I did not go to dances for a while. Joe lived next door to us. We went to the show; but we did not go to the dance. In 1947, the year I graduated from school, Joe turned 18 and was drafted into the Army.”

Joe’s military career took him to Japan where he helped clean up the destruction of the two atomic bombs detonated over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945. This experience greatly impacted his life. He long remembered a dead baby still positioned as though nursing on its mother. Those sights remained with him throughout his life and he prayed no one would ever see that again.

Once while in a bar in Japan, someone called out his name. “Joe Guidry? Joe Guidry is that you? He turned around and there was MaLou Calais, a woman from Cecilia who had also joined the military. When MaLou returned from the military, she went to work for the Sheriff’s Office. The following is an excerpt from Malou's Obituary.

Veavil continues: “While Joe was in the Army, I went to work for the school in Cecilia as a janitress earning $75 a month. Now, people make that in a day! It was the school that burned later on, Cecilia High School. It was not a mop we used, it was a broom. Lena Calais was the janitress but the year after I finished high school, she could not work so I was hired. My transportation to and from work was a bike. When it rained, my dad would come bring me. I was in shape!”

A year after Veavil graduated from high school, at the age of 19, she and Joe decided to marry. Joe had completed his military service. They had saved money from their jobs so they built a little cabin which was to become their first home. It is where they spent their honeymoon. They had fixed it up and all of their possessions were in their little cabin.

“Joe’s father and my mother were second cousins. We had to pay an extra $5.00 for our marriage license because we were related. We married on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the church in Cecilia. Father George Braquet, the pastor at St. Joseph Church, married us. It was a very small wedding and the reception was at my in-laws home. My father in law was J. B. Guidry and my mother in law was Mosela Blanchard Guidry. Most of the people did not even have cars back then. My father had a car, so he provided transportation for some of the people who attended our wedding.”

After Veavil married, she no longer worked but became a housewife. She got pregnant and Joe became the breadwinner.

In Veavil’s early married life, their transportation, as it was for most people, was a draw board or “traîneau” in French. The draw board would be pulled by one or two mules. Some people had wagons to use for work and transportation. In their early years together, Joe and Veavil placed chairs on the draw board for him and her and the baby would sit on her lap. This is how they traveled the muddy roads before they bought a car.

"Joe earned a living by planting a whole field of vegetables. He received a check from the military for growing produce and attending school to learn how to farm. He grew okra, corn, beans and other vegetables. I washed the okra, dried and cut it in order to sell it. Joe invented a machine to cut the okra. This made the job much faster. He would cut a batch in about 15 minutes. This is how Joe supported our family. I still miss gardening and l Iove to be outdoors. I enjoyed cutting my grass and tending to my yard. My favorite vegetables are cucumbers and tomatoes."

“After Joe finished his time with the military, he went to work on a dredge. I was home with my firstborn child, a girl we called Phyllis. She won the State title for shorthand when she was in school. She married Kirby Dupuis and they had one little girl, Gessette. Phyllis got real sick. Kirby worked for Exxon. The company told him to stay home and take care of his wife when she was near death. Phyllis passed away when she was only 23. She died of bone marrow cancer. During her illness, her mother in law took great care of her. Kirby and Phyllis and their little girl moved in with Kirby’s mother and she helped care for Phyllis and also helped care for Gessette who was only two and a half when Phyllis passed away. She does not remember her mother. Eventually, Kirby remarried. He married a wonderful woman, “Sue,” who is still helping Gessette. When they decided to marry, I told her: Sue, you know you are going into a house with a lot of memories. You have to make up your mind before you get in what you are going to do. She was very good to Gessette. She raised her like her daughter. Sue has two sons but she always has been good to Gessette.

"When Phyllis was sick, I had a business. I was a bartender. Joe and I took care of a business which my brother in law owned. At one time, he had to travel overseas. Joe and I took over his business. The money we made was ours. When my brother in law came back, he wanted his son to take over the business after he graduated. So, Joe and I bought some property and we built a building and that was when we opened a bar called Joe’s Café. I have very good memories of those days. I wish I had kept a book of all the strangers who visited Joe’s Café. It was located right near Diesi’s in Henderson. It was on the same side of the road as Diesi’s. We had a good crowd. It was not for teenagers. Some of the people who visited Joe’s Café played cards, Bourré mostly. We started out playing for 15¢ and then increased it to 25¢. It went up to $1 but that was too much. We had Joe’s Café for 13 years.

“I had three girls. My second daughter, Karen, who is 67 now, lives in Parks. She is widowed. She has two boys, one is Courtney and the other is Ryan. Courtney has a son named Jules.

“And, then, my baby is Kitty. She is married to Bobby Stelly, a welder here in Arnaudville. They have one son, Logan. Of course, Kitty doesn't go anywhere without her dog "Tamy."

“At one time, I worked for the government teaching girls how to work. That was the biggest check I got while I was working was teaching girls how to work. I had 7 or 8 girls and I taught them how to clean all four schools in the Cecilia area. Of all the things I did in my lifetime, I enjoyed that job the most. I had worked with my sister when she was the janitress at the Cecilia schools. I learned how to handle the polishing machine. It was a beast! The girls thought it was easy but they soon learned how difficult it was to wrestle that thing. Those girls taught me a lot of things not related to the job. I learned that they were not too interested in the work but love to get their checks."

Veavil recalls that Sister Vivian Dekerlegand of Arnaudville was one of her cousins. She remembers that the day before Vivian left her family to join the Marianite Sisters of the Holy Cross, the family organized a party and Vivian spent the afternoon dancing. She loved to dance. The next day, she traveled to the convent where she spent her life as a Marianite Sister.

Veavil is a very "tell it like it is" person. She explains: “I have good friends. I try to accept everyone. I am even good friends with a Jehovah Witness. I used to go to their meetings. Everyone knew me. I have been friends with one for over 30 years. The first time she came to my house was on a Monday morning. I told her that I was sorry bu tcouldn’t talk to her. I was busy. I hadto work in the field. She said: ‘Oh, that’s all right. I’ll come back.’ She came back on a Saturday. We started talking and we became good friends.When I go to the hospital, she comes to see me. We are all human beings. I explained to her that I would read with her, study with her but I would not change my religion. She told me that she did not want to change my religion. We are still friends. She calls me and comes to see me."

She continues: “My husband, George “Joe” Guidry, passed away on May 29, 1998, at the age of 70. He had cancer. Joe worked in the oilfields and they never wore masks to work back then. I am sure that is why he got cancer. He was strong and when he took his chemo treatments, he was very sick for about three days and then it was finished. He would go back to work. The day before we left to go to the hospital, he worked. He fixed lawn mowers for people. I wish that I would have learned how to do that.I was the one who ordered the parts. I helped many people by ordering parts for them. It would save them money if we could get the parts and let them pay for what it costs. I am a helping person and we helped people by ordering parts for them.”

“I had a couple who took care of me before I came here but that did not work out. One of my grandsons, Courtney, lived with me and took care of me for a time. I had open heart surgery and I had four bypasses. It was necessary for me to come here to rehab for two months. The physical therapist said when I was able to walk from Physical Therapy to my room, I could go home.I told them to give me my walker and I walked to my room. They discharged me.

"This is my second time here. There will be four years on August 5, that I came to live at J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home. I cried for a month before I came here. One of my girls lived in Arnaudville and the other one in Parks. They could not give up their lives to take care of me.

“The worse thing about my health is my legs. They want to dance! They want to move. I don’t know and the doctor doesn’t know why but I have restless legs. When I got to the point where I could not walk or take a bath and I was confined to a wheelchair,I came here. My house was equipped with ramps but even so, it got to the point where I could not do for myself.

"Things have changed with the government. Now, you rent a wheelchair and if you rent it for one year, then it is yours. If you do not need it for the whole year, you can return it. It is rent to own.

“Before I came here, every Monday, I would go to the casino. That was my relaxation. I loved playing the nickel slot machines. Now, my favorite thing to do is play Bingo on Mondays and Pokeno on Mondays and Thursdays. When Mathilde Bourque was here, we played UNO. But, we don’t play that anymore since she passed away.

“One thing I would like to do is see the movie FIVE SULLIVANBROTHERS. That I would enjoy; but, it is very old and I don't know if they still have that.

"I’ve connected with people here that I knew before and I have made lots of friends since I am here. Life is a mystery. You have to take it as it comes. Mack, Father Gary Schexnayder, always wears a shirt with a smiley face. His mother, Florence “Shookta” Guidry was my sister in law, Joe's sister. She was the oldest one in the family. I have good memories of coming to Stephen and Shookta's home to play cards. Father Gary reminds me that we need to laugh and not be too serious." And, most importantly,

Veavil believes that: "Life is too short for us to just think of our differences. We must accept one another.”

Betty Arnaud Roy

Nonco Foundation

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Around Our Home Away From Home, Our Stories

George Louis Frugé

By J.M. Morrow Nursing Home • 26 May, 2021

George Frugé was sitting peacefully in the dining room with his brown jacket on a hanger in anticipation of an outdoor visit. Too bad it was bitterly cold and the nurse in change of visitation, “Mary,” assigned George to an indoor booth instead. George moves fast. He does not look or act like a man of 93 years. Mary Aileen Kidder, one of George’s fellow residents at J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home said: “George is physical mobile and mentally sharp.” The nurse returned to the indoor booth over an hour later to tell that our visitation time had expired. George and I had had a lovely conversation, almost all in French. George remembers family details. His father was Christopher Frugé and his mother was Ida Lalonde. Christopher Frugé who was born August 10, 1905, the son of Henry Joseph Frugé and Adeline Thibodeaux. Christopher’s brothers, and George’s uncles were Willis “Bill” who married Olivia Bellard; Columbus “Boy” who married Louisia Noel; Albert who married Elvina Dupuis, and there were two other brothers, August and Wilbert who died in early childhood. George’s father’s sisters were: Isabelle, Mrs. Clophas Comeaux; Maria Rachel, Mrs. Frank Guidroz; and Ella, Mrs. Franklin Randolph Wright. Henry Joseph Frugé married a second wife, Nadia “Da” Perriou. They had two children: Joseph Henry who married Lorena Savoie and James Earl who married Mavis Olivier. Born on August 24, 1927, in Arnaudville, George lived his whole life in the area, except when he was working on dredge boats. He had four brothers: Lee Roy, Ludovic, John “Pete” and Milton “Bob.” George attended school in the school house on Highway 31 near Myran’s restaurant. He remembers there was a “little” graduation after the sixth grade. He also attended school in Chicago and became a Chief Port Engineer. During his long career working on dredge boats, he traveled the world over. And, he proudly proclaims he “knows machines.” One day, George drove down Highway 31 to visit with his mother who was caring for his grandmother. On the way, he stopped at “Faquin’s,” a little country store. There he met a girl from Arnaudville named Ethel Mae Bergeron. He told his mother that day that he had met the girl he would marry and he did. Ethel graduated from Leonville High School. She and George had three sons: Terry, Kenneth and Neal; and two daughters: Kathie and Tammie. They have nine grandchildren: Kristie, Brad, Hollie, Gerrod, Chad, Jeremy, Lydia, Brittany and McKenzie. They have ten great grandchildren: Joshua, Kolten, Blaire, Lesley, Dustin, Addison, Braylon, Gabrielle, Brayden and Noah. George and Ethel spent their time surrounded by a great family and many wonderful friends. The Catholic couple attended St. Leo Church in Leonville where George volunteered in service of his fellow parishioners. George remembers a homelife of nice quiet evenings watching TV. He and Ethel also enjoyed gardening. He liked to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, bell pepper, hot peppers, watermelon, merleton and crowder peas. Probably in the 1940’s, before television, many of the towns in the area had baseball or softball teams. There was the Nina Red Birds, Arnaudville Blue Jays, New Iberia Rebels and Cecilia Merchants, just to name a few. The large Richard family from Arnaudville had a softball team and George played on the Richard team. He explained that some teams played hardball or baseball. Dr. Robert L. “Bobby” Morrow, the Arnaudville doctor, was the pitcher of the baseball team. George played softball as the second baseman for the Richard Brothers Softball Team. Some of the Richards were Antoine, Louis, June, Francis, Lawrence and Carroll. Raymond Bergeron, Ethel's brother, also played with the team. The softball games were held on the Leroy Darby Field near Last Street in Arnaudville. Leonville also had a softball time. Some Team members George remembers were Leroy Carriere, Hoppy Morris and Alex Richard. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softball )

Mary-Aileen Babineaux Kidder

By J.M. Morrow Nursing Home • 05 Mar, 2021

Aileen Kidder is now a resident at J. M. Morrow Memorial Nursing Home in Arnaudville. In true Aileen fashion, she is making the most out of this stage of her life and serving as example to all.

Lucy Jane Hardy Frederick

By J.M. Morrow Nursing Home • 05 Feb, 2021

Lucy Frederick shares memories.

Joseph Dorret and JoAnn Meche Mallet

By J.M. Morrow Nursing Home • 31 Dec, 2019

It is a joy to sit and visit with Joseph and JoAnn Mallet. Though JoAnn does most of the talking, the love they have shared for over 63 years is apparent. Joseph is a resident at J. Michael Morrow Memorial Nursing Home and JoAnn visits him every day. Although it is difficult for Joseph to get around, JoAnn was happy that they were able to bring Joseph to share a special Christmas celebration at their son's home this year.

Leonard Angelle Shares His Memoirs

By J.M. Morrow Nursing Home • 31 Dec, 2019

Leonard Louis Angelle shares his memoirs and those of Franklin Wright.

Julius and Betty Jo Courville, Jr.

By J.M. Morrow Nursing Home • 26 Dec, 2019

It was a beautiful summer day when Julius Courville Jr. decided to walk to the store in his hometown of Breaux Bridge. His route took him by City Park where a little bandstand stood. On this particular day, a pretty girl sat on that bandstand. Julius learned that her name was Betty Jo Young and the two began a courtship that resulted in a marriage that has endured for over 65 years. Now, Julius and Betty sit side-by-side and visit at J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home. Julius learned that Betty Jo Young came to Acadiana from Oklahoma when she was only 9 years old. Her father worked in the oil patch. Julius also worked in the oil industry; but, when he was 19 years old, he joined the Army and served his country for 8 years. He says that he and Betty’s first home was in Clarksville, Tennessee. They lived there while he was stationed at Fort Campbell, in Kentucky. The Courvilles returned to Acadiana and raised a family of four children, two boys and two girls. Their daughter Debbie resides in Abbeville. Their youngest son Tim lives in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Their daughter Becky lives in Fort Worth. There was another son Kenneth who was very kind. One year, for Easter, he made a gift for every one of the residents at J. Michael Morrow Nursing Home. He brought smiles to all of their faces. Kenneth is deceased now but Betty doesn’t know that and Julius is careful not to upset her. Kenneth was only 60 when he passed away. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, crabbing, shooting his gun at the range and spending time with his grandchildren. Kenneth faithfully loved visiting his mom in the nursing home and being a sidekick to his dad. They are a close-knit family. Five years ago, when Betty first became a resident at the nursing home, she loved to entertain all of the residents and guests. She had learned to play the piano as a child watching her mother. She says she became an even better piano player than her mom. She no longer plays but when Mavis Arnaud Frugé prompts her, Betty breaks out in song! Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te plumerai. Je te plumerai la tête. Et la tête! Alouette! A-a-a-ah Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te plumerai. Je te plumerai le bec. Et le bec! Et la tête! Alouette! A-a-a-ah Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te plumerai .... In April of 2019, Julius joined Betty at the nursing home. How does he like it? He says: "It is what you make of it." He continues: "When you wake up in the morning, put a smile on your face. If you can't, get back in bed and get up on the other side. If you want life to be bad, you can surely make it so. But, if you put a smile on your face, you can meet your challenges and find pleasure in life. It depends on YOU!" Julius even sings in the nursing home choir and finds many activities to fill his hours. Remember: "It is what you make of it."

The Walking Ladies of Opelousas

By J.M. Morrow Nursing Home • 11 Oct, 2019

J. M. Morrow Memorial Nursing Home is proud of Alice Morrow, wife of Pat Morrow, who was named one of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Honorees for St. Landry Parish by The Community Foundation of Acadiana on September 25, 2019. Congratulations to Alice and all of the Walking Ladies of Opelousas.