Nancy White Thomas

Abbeville—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at   1:00 PM  on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Nancy White Thomas, 80, of Abbeville, Louisiana. Nancy passed away Monday evening, May 22, 2023, at home surrounded by her loving husband and family. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. Donald Bernard officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Corbett “Chip” LeBouef IV, Ross Herpin, Ryan Servat, Trae Trahan, Michael Dowden and Kenny Hebert.

The second of three children, Nancy was born January 7, 1943, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Henry Otis and Frances Burt White. She graduated from Baton Rouge High School and attended Louisiana State University.

After leaving Baton Rouge and spending many years in Kaplan, Louisiana as an accomplished florist and raising her three children, Nancy returned to her roots in Baton Rouge. There, she met the love of her life, whom she has been married to for the last 26 years. Shortly after marrying, and following his retirement, Nancy returned with her husband to Vermilion Parish to be near her three children and grandchildren.

With a true appreciation for nature, Nancy found and cultivated beauty right in her own backyard each day. She enjoyed growing a myriad of plants and flowers, from which she would regularly create various arrangements, bringing a little of nature’s beauty inside. She found great joy in sharing her passion for flowers with all those she loved, as well.

Some of Nancy’s fondest memories growing up were spending summers in Simsboro where she would attend church and bible study with her grandmother. As a great granddaughter of both a Baptist Preacher and a Methodist Minister, Nancy had instilled in her from an early age a very strong faith with deep Christian values.

In her later years, some of Nancy’s most enjoyable times were spent traveling to interesting places, both near and far, enjoying getting to fish on occasion, or sitting at home enjoying simple days working crossword puzzles, as well as crocheting beautiful pieces and gifting them to loved ones to be treasured for generations. However, what brought her the most joy was simply spending time with her family. It didn’t matter if it was a holiday or special occasion, shopping trips or impromptu visits, being with those she loved fulfilled her like nothing else.

Left to cherish Nancy’s memory is her beloved husband, Dr. Fred W. Thomas; her son, Danny Herpin and his wife, Gay; daughters, Shannon Kimble and her husband, Alvin, and Stephanie LeBouef and her husband, Corbett “Cobb” III. She is also survived by her stepdaughters, Christy T. Dowden, and Cindy T. Gates and her husband, Jim; grandchildren, Kate H. Trahan (Trae), Ross Herpin (Brittany), Corbett “Chip” LeBouef IV (Elizabeth), Leah L. Servat (Ryan), Rachel G. Hebert (Kenny), Mollie Gates, Michael Dowden (Amy), and Julie Nally (Tom); fifteen great grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored; her dear sister, Jane W. Gillis; sister-in-law, Terrie White; and a host of very loved nieces and nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Bob White.

The family asks that visitation be observed at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church beginning at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 25, 2023 until the time of service at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503 or Vermilion Catholic, A Legacy of Mount Carmel, 425 Park Avenue, Abbeville, LA 70510, in memory of Nancy W. Thomas.