Obituaries

December 25, 1953 – May 29, 2025

Helen Gautreaux Hallaron died on June 10, 2025 in Selma, Texas. She was born in Crowley on April 5, 1928 to Wilson J. and Azemie Breaux Gautreaux, and raised in the small town of Mermentau. She graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI) in Lafayette in May 1949 with a degree in Education. She also pursued postgraduate work at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Matthews Funeral Home in Jennings for Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Benoit, Sr., 86, who passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Diann Manuel, just shy of her 80th birthday. Diann was born on July 30, 1945 in Jennings. She departed from this world peacefully on June 7, 2025 after a life filled with love and service.

A Funeral Service was held on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Matthews Funeral Home in Jennings for Rella LeBlanc, 92, who passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Camelot Brookside of Jennings.

Published in Jennings Daily News June 8, 2025

Published in Jennings Daily News June 6, 2025

George Wimberley Speight III, 66, of Amanda, Ohio, and formerly of Jennings, passed away on May 18, 2025. He was born on February 27, 1959 in Jennings to the late George Wimberley “Smokey” II and Mary Pearl (Vincent) Speight. He retired from The Waterworks after 25 years. He supported his wife’s business, Cabin Fever Glass, and was the top salesman. He enjoyed camping and riding his Honda motorcycle. He was an excellent Cajun cook, known for his crawfish boil, gumbo and etouffee. He was a die-hard LSU football fan, Geaux Tigers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Jennings for Mr. Christopher “Chris” Matthews, 51, who after his short battle with cancer, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 22, 2025 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family and friends.