Mr. Eddie John Guilbeaux

Let not your heart be troubled; Ye believe in god, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; If it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, There ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas said unto him, Lord we know not whither thou goes; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:1-6 OPELOUSAS-Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, LA for Mr. Eddie Guilbeaux who entered eternal life on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park. Rev. Lambert Lien, SVD will Pastor of Holy Ghost Catholic Church will officiate the Mass of Christian Burial. As far as we have knowledge, man is the only one of all God’s created things to whom is given the information that all earthly life must end in death. The experiences and observations of mankind early in life impress upon man’s mind the fact that death is the common lot of all races. Of all the beautiful things in life, the most beautiful is character, and he who possesses a beautiful character is worthy of notice. A beautiful life is the fruit of a beautiful character, he, whom we memorialize here at this time, possessed a beautiful character and lived a beautiful life; a true testament to the strength of his spirit and will. He, of whom we speak, is the late Mr. Eddie John Guilbeaux. Mr. Guilbeaux, the second of seven children, was born September 12, 1935, to the late Eddie Guilbeau and the late Irene Davis Guilbeau of Bellevue, Louisiana. Mr. Guilbeaux accepted Christ at an early age and remained an active member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church until health compromised his ability to attend. Mr. Guilbeaux received his early education in the public schools of St. Landry Parish. Upon completion of his studies, he did advanced study as a student athlete and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas College. Mr. Guilbeaux continued his academic journey acquiring certifications in Management from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Public Housing in Dallas, Texas as well as, certifications in Education from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, and Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mr. Guilbeaux dedicated himself to improving the quality of life for others in his community and across the United States. He was a devoted teacher and coach, cultivating the academic and athletic lives of students and athletes throughout St. Landry Parish from 1957 to 1972. In 1972, Mr. Guilbeaux embarked on a career with the United States Justice Department, Washington, D.C. as a Special Agent for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, currently known as the Drug Enforcement Agency. He was a member of the first class of African American Federal Agents credentialed by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Guilbeaux returned to a life of normalcy in 1973 and resumed his teaching and coaching career in Louisiana until 1979. After his career as an educator he became Executive Director of Public Housing in Opelousas, Louisiana, until his retirement in 2005. On December 2, 1956, he was united in marriage to the late Evelyn Joyce Aaron, his friend since the age of six. To this union four children were born: two daughters, Judy Arnette and Suzanne Beth; two sons, Eddie John “Ted” and Benny Carlyle. Eddie John’s greatest joy was his family. His professional, social, and community endeavors were: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., National Educators Association, Knights of St. Peter Claver, Louisiana High School Coaches Association, Treasurer for the Louisiana Housing Council, Vice-President for Development of the Southwest Region of the National Association of Redevelopment Organization (NARO), Member of the National Professional Development for NARO, Member of the Nominating Committees for the Louisiana Housing Council in which he was appointed Member of the Year in 2004, Chairman of the Site Committee for Louisiana Housing, and Member/lobbyist of the Legislative Committee for Louisiana Housing Council. Mr. Guilbeaux was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Guilbeau; his wife of 51 years Evelyn Joyce Aaron Guilbeaux; three brothers-in-law Mr. Robert Lee Johnson, Mr. Huey B. Hawkins, Dr. Henry Joseph Tyler, Jr.; one son-in-law, Mr. Louis Joseph James, Jr. Mr. Guilbeaux is survived by his four children, Judy Arnette Guilbeaux-James, Ph.D. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mrs. Suzanne Beth Guilbeaux Edwards of Woodbridge, Virginia, Mr. Eddie John “Ted” Guilbeaux, II of Miami, Florida, and Mr. Benny Carlyle Guilbeaux of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; one son-in-law, Charles Edwards, Jr.; two daughters-in-law, Ahsaki Gray Guilbeaux, Ebony D. Motte Guilbeaux; seven adorable grandchildren, C. Evrett Edwards, Jillian Paige Edwards, Cydney Arnette James, Louis Joseph “Tré” James, III, Kellen Christian Edwards, Zion Carlyle Guilbeaux, Zoë Carlese Guilbeaux; three brothers, Autry Gerone Guilbeaux (Barbara), Jessie Charles Guilbeaux (Judith ), Herd Guilbeau (Earline), three sisters, Mrs. Freddie Johnson, Mrs. Geraldine Hawkins, Mrs. Bobbie Tyler; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The family request visiting hours be observed from 8:00 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 A.M. with an Omega Ceremony following at 10:00 A.M., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Iota Xi Lambda Chapter. Share words of comfort with the family of Eddie John Guilbeaux on his Permanent Life Tribute Page at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net or https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsFuneralHomeInc/ Final arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Opelousas and Ville Platte, 817 E. South Street, 337.942.2037.

Tributes

Mr. Eddie John Guilbeaux

September 12, 1935 - March 3, 2018