Wesley Lloyd Livingston, Sr.

Mr. Wesley Lloyd Livingston, Sr., 95, passed away peacefully Jan. 14, 2021. He was born May 25, 1925, to Willie Livingston and Madeline Simon Livingston of New Iberia.

After completing grade school at Iberia Parish Training School in New Iberia, Mr. Livingston joined the U.S. Army where he proudly served during World War II as a tech sergeant/winch operator. He graduated from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge with a major in biology and a minor in mathematics, later returning to earn a master’s degree and 30-plus hours in administration.

While attending college, Mr. Wesley Livingston met and married Geraldine Breaux and to this union were born seven children.

Mr. Livingston, who began his career as a teacher of biology and math, taught at several schools, including Delhi High School in Delhi, Breaux Bridge Colored School in Breaux Bridge and Jefferson Davis High School in Jennings. In 1957, Mr. Livingston was employed as principal of Katie B. Thomas High School in Elton. He remained principal at the school (renamed Elton Junior High after integration) until his retirement in 1978.

Mr. Wesley Livingston was an active member of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Elton, where he served as deacon and adult Sunday School teacher for over 30 years. He was also active in the 7th District Baptist Missionary Association of which his church was affiliated.

Mr. Livingston was one of the founders and first presidents of James Ward Jr. Federal Credit Union in Jennings.

As a prominent and influential man in his community and the surrounding areas, Mr. Livingston has made and continues to make a lingering impact on many who encountered him. Those whose lives he touched came to know him as a stern disciplinarian, an advocate for the underprivileged, a father figure and a mentor and encourager of young people who made strides in secular education, Christian education and/or their local communities. Because of his strong influence in his community, the city of Elton honored Mr. Livingston and his wife by renaming the street of their residence Livingston Street.

Mr. Wesley Lloyd Livingston, Sr., was preceded in death by his parents; 16 siblings; his wife, Geraldine Breaux Livingston; and his two sons, Donald and Wesley Jr.

Those who will cherish Mr. Livingston’s memories forever are his daughters, Deborah (William) Clark of Lafayette, Acquanetta Livingston of Chesapeake, Vir., Venessa (Ricky) Cormier and Mildred (Edward) Smith, both of Elton, and Sybyl (Lester) Coleman and Avis (John) Guidry, both of Lake Charles; 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; a special (adopted) son, Donald Francis of Jennings; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends and his church family.

The entire Livingston family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Juliet Robinson, all personal caregivers who provided services for Mr. Livingston in his home, Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home of Jennings and Harbor Hospice of Lake Charles (especially Administrator Daniel Washington, Jr.).

Due to COVID-19, a private burial at Eternal Rest Cemetery in Elton has been entrusted to Owens-Thomas Funeral Home of Eunice.

In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be made (checks payable) to “G.B. Livingston Scholarship Fund” C/O Venessa Livingston Cormier, P.O. Box 130, Elton, LA 70532.