2025 Minutes

President Janell Moore opened the business meeting at 11:15 a.m. at the New Prospect Baptist Church meeting room, with no use fee, but we made a donation of $75.

The roll call of officers found five officers present: Janell Moore, President; Cary Chandler, Vice-President; Melinda Butts, Secretary, and Jimmie Nell Lewis, Historian, Marlon Bourque, Co-Historian, with Carolyn LaCroix Deville, Co-Historian being absent.

The minutes of last year's meeting were read and approved by David Laird and seconded by Shonda Roberts.

Janell Moore presented the financial report with our previous balance being $994.81, plus $100 dues paid at the door, $100 in donations, less the facility donation of $75 and website and invitation costs of $222.03 for a new balance of $912.778 that was approved by Cary Chandler and seconded by Louis Boyd.

Officers were re-elected by unanimous decision; Janell Moore, President; Cary Chandler, Vice President; Melinda Butts, Secretary; and Jimmie Nell Lewis, Historian, and Marlon Bourque and Carolyn LaCroix Deville, Co-Historians that was approved by Janell Pere and seconded by Sheila Gallent.

President Moore surveyed those attending and determined the following:

Births: None reported

Deaths: Charles Barron 11/2002; Johnnie Gorum 3/2025; Melba Brown 2018

Oldest was Geraldine Milliard at 88; Youngest was Caroline Fuselier at 1 year; Farthest Traveled was Shonda Roberts at 982 miles; Most Descendants present, Melinda Butts with 6.

In Old Business, the discussion of the LaCroix Cemetery Booklet and history was tabled again until next year, while the cost of the marker was determined to be $40 from Amazon to be ordered by Melinda Butts, when the information is available.

In New Business, we discussed bringing back the silent auction, with a motion by Shonda Roberts, and seconded by Louis Boyd. Secretary Melinda Butts gave an update on the website and Facebook page, and all agreed that it was a good addition to help keep up with our family history. Jimmie Nell Lewis also asked for people to notify her of any historic changes by calling her at 318-443-1683 and try to keep more updated while people are still here to tell their stories, and Marlon Bourque announced he will be working on a display for the upcoming reunion. This was made a motion by Cary Chandler and seconded by Jimmie Ness Lewis.

The meeting date and location for the 2026 reunion were discussed, and the motion was made to continue to meet at New Prospect Baptist Church; 111 Prospect Church Road; Dry Prong, LA 71423 on August 1, 2026, after Melba LaCroix graciously offered to let us use their church facility again. This passed with a motion from Cary Chandler and seconded by Shonda Roberts.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with prayer and blessing of the food by Jimmie Nell Lewis.

We still have the $5 annual dues that can be mailed to Janell Moore or electronically paid at mamajrae@yahoo.com or CashApp $Nanoo34