Aunt Joe(Funeral Service)

Dustin George Calevro age 26, of Port Orange, Florida has gone to heaven to be with his grandparents, Frank & Shirley Calevro of Richmond, Vermont

and his step-grandfather Millard Hatcher of Grand Ridge, FL.

He died July 11, 2017.

Dustin is survived by his father, Joe Calevro of Richmond, Vermont and his mother, Dianne Saunders and stepfather Dillon Hatcher of Grandridge, FL.

Other surviving relatives are his sister, Kristy Calevro & her fiance’ Erik Hammond of Huntington, Vermont,

his maternal grandparents, Skip & Rosemary Saunders of Hartland, Vermont

and his step-grandmother, Emelene Hatcher of Grand Ridge, FL.

He is also survived by his Uncle Douglas & Aunt Carol Saunders and sons, Nicholas & Ian of Plymouth, Maine

We are gathered today to celebrate the home going of Josephine Harrington LeBlanc,

age 77,

His Aunt Debbie Calevro of Tampa Florida,

She passed away surrounded by her loving family on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 6:40 pm.

She was a native of Crowley and a resident of Houma and Lafayette, LA.

Aunt Becky Calevro and her husband Art Vezina of Munson, Vermont. Dustin graduated from Mount Mansfield High School in Jericho, Vermont and he went on to graduate from Chipola College for Automotive Technicians where he was employed by 4 Boys Automotive in Daytona, FL.

Burial will be held in Bayou Black Cemetery.

Dustin enjoyed motorcycle riding, mountain biking, working on cars, fishing with is grampa Skip; snowboarding, when he lived in Vermont, and many other outdoor activities. Internment will follow the Funeral service at Cypress Grove Assembly of God Church in Grand Ridge,

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel of Marianna will direct.

Josephine is survived by her daughter, Carol L. Grindrod and husband, Mick;

In lieu of flowers please make donations to your local No-Kill Animal Shelters.

sons,

Ray Jr.,

Thomas and wife, Judy,

William and wife, Denise,

and

Jack LeBlanc;

one sister, Elaine Fontenot;

grandchildren,

Wendy Bourgeois and husband, Justin,

Sandi Click and husband, Dean,

Christopher LeBlanc,

Blake LeBlanc and wife, Emily,

Brittany Rhodes and husband, Brad,

Mary Katherine, Nicholas, Taylor, Lexie, Macie, and Hallie LeBlanc,

Samantha Pusateri and Carys Grindrod;

11 great-grandchildren.

Josephine is preceded in death by her husband, Ray LeBlanc, Sr.;

Dustin was an avid lover of all animals. condolences may be made at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com

parents, Bennett and Helen Smith Harrington;

son Brian LeBlanc;

and sister, Janel Harrington.

Josephine was a Homemaker and partner to her husband, Ray, in their business “LeBlanc Tile”.

She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and made sure they all knew how to love unconditionally.

God has a plan and does amazing work.

Josephine’s great-granddaughter, Ellie Grace, was born 18 minutes after she took her last breathe.

for “God taketh and God Giveth”.

As strange as it may sound My aunt Josephine’s life reminds me of a woman in the bible who’s name is not mentioned.

This woman is the wife of Noah

The earth was corrupt, and God resolved to wipe out all living creatures.

But there would be one exception:

the family of a man called Noah, whose wife had borne three sons, each of whom was married

Initially, the Bible tells us, God became disgusted at the way human beings had mis-used his gifts to them.

He was, however, a just God and recognised that some human beings still honoured him and lived by his laws.

These he wanted to save, and this is where Noah and his family first appear.

Noah and his family were God-fearing people who kept God’s laws.

God saw this, as he sees all, and decided that they at least would be saved.

He commanded Noah to make a great boat, large enough to carry not only his whole family, but animals and birds of all kind.

In other words, Noah’s family was instructed to save the living creatures of this planet.

Noah was given specific instructions on how to build a gigantic boat, the Ark.

This is where the wife of Noah first appears.

Somehow she was able to accept that this strange, crazy plan of her husband was genuine and feasible.

She must have been a woman of patience and vision, backing up her husband and convincing her sons and daughters-in-law to do the same.

Could you imagine what it was like for her to trust her husband

as strange as it may have been to build a massive boat in a time when rain had never even fallen from the sky.

Noahs wife trusted him.

In order for her to do so she possessed three qualities.

I believed Aunt Joe possessed these same three qualities that made her the woman that she was

The first quality was that:

Aunt Joe had faith

There is not a woman in this room; that would not think that your husband had falling of of his rocker.

if he came to you and told you that you and your family are going to build a massive boat because of a great flood that was to come to land that had never had a flood before.

She was a woman that believed in her husband

She was a woman that believed in her husband

Aunt Joe was a woman that believed in her husband

She was willing to follow him even if things didn’t make since

In the words of her son William; She would do whatever daddy wanted to do

She had faith in her husband

She backed her husband

2nd quality was that

2. Aunt Joe had Courage

In the next part of the story, Noah and his wife and family collected all the things necessary to save themselves from whatever it was that was coming.

To say they were terrified was an understatement,

but they kept steadily to their task until all was ready and then, as the Bible says, ‘the Lord shut them in’.

They were sealed inside the Ark,

safe in God’s hands, but completely powerless against the warring elements of Nature outside the boat.

the waters covered the earth, and everything, was destroyed.

And the waters covered the earth, and everything, everything, was destroyed.

You cannot run a business and raise 5 boys and 1 girl without having courage.

I knew all them and just to have to raise one would have taken courage,

But Aunt done it with courage

Even down to the minor details

Her courage to prepare and to collect the necessary things for when the storms of life would come their way and they did.

I’m not referring just to the material things of life but

she done everything within her power to keep her family safe through life’s storms

Aunt Joe was a woman of courage

Aunt Joe was a woman of courage

Aunt Joe was a woman of courage

3rd quality was that

3. Aunt Joe had Endurance

the scriptures tell us that Eventually the rain stopped and the waters decrease.

Noah sent out the raven, and then the dove, and then family was able to leave the Ark.

This is where Noah’s wife showed her true value,

for women are able to endure pain and misfortune better than men.

The four women of Noah’s family faced a desolate world.

Everything was destroyed.

There was no home to return to, no neighbours to share the grief, no familiar customs to observe.

The desolate world had to start again from scratch,

and the hardship these women faced must have been extreme.

Had they given in, succumbed to the disaster and refused to go on, God’s plan would not have succeeded.

No doubt Aunt Joe faced the hardships of life.

Job 14:1 NKJV

1 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.

the sleepless nights

The countless number of tears.

The uncertainties of life

Yet Aunt Joe Endured.

She may have wanted to throw in the towel on many different occasions

She may have even giving up hope at times

But she never quit

She endured

Aunt Joe

1. had faith

2. She had courage

3. and she endured

Pray

words from the children

Mom WOW!!!!   She was the glue of our home. She would do whatever Dad wanted...  lol.  When I was very young we never sat down before Mom at dinner.   This was in the 70’s before Carol or Jack.  

When I was young she was my rock. I could tell her everything.

We also had this station wagon we use to ride in and I would pretend to play the guitar to Conway Twitty  ..She would sing like an Angel.....

  She would say “ Boys I am going to the grocery store  and she knew Her William was coming.....   She was right...  

We also had this station wagon we use to ride in and I would pretend to play the guitar to Conway Twitty  ..She would sing like an Angel.....  She would say “ Boys I am going to the grocery store  and she knew Her William was coming.....   She was right...   I remember saving my money in a cigar box  to buy a clock radio. I was about 14 years old and one day all my money was gone. I went to Mom fussing thinking one my brothers stole my money. She smiled and went to the bedroom and brought me my clock radio.   As we got older she was still my rock. I remember in 1985 I was trying to teach her to dance to Pop music in the foyer on Lirette Street...    DISASTER!!!  When I worked at National Supermarket on my payday I would bring Mom flowers......    In my adult life . Dad and I rode together she was his rock.   He never every wanted to disappoint her. We was together a lot ....   I remember one tine he purchased a Mule four wheeler and he knew he was in big trouble with Mom ..   lol.   We talked about it early in the morning.  Mom told him it was between he and her.  I left promptly after.    When Dad passed we lost some of Mom in that.  Keep in mind she was caretaker 110%....  I did see a change in her. I had no idea ALS or Alzheimer’s but I knew she was lost. Denise and I did everything we could do to help but to no avail...  I knew she was lost. She made the decision to move to Lafayette. I knew she knew something was off. Thank God .....   Carol has done a great Job taking care of Mom.  Mom meant love , happy, and comfort.  When you asked her to do something she always did.  She love Dad and her kids till the end.   She was GREATNESS and I will forever love and miss her....    

I remember saving my money in a cigar box  to buy a clock radio. I was about 14 years old and one day all my money was gone. I went to Mom fussing thinking one my brothers stole my money. She smiled and went to the bedroom and brought me my clock radio.  

As we got older she was still my rock. I remember in 1985 I was trying to teach her to dance to Pop music in the foyer on Lirette Street...    DISASTER!!!  

When I worked at National Supermarket on my payday I would bring Mom flowers......  

 In my adult life . Dad and I rode together, she was his rock.  

He never every wanted to disappoint her. We was together a lot ....   I remember one time he purchased a Mule four wheeler and he knew he was in big trouble with Mom ..   lol.   We talked about it early in the morning.  Mom told him it was between him and her.  I left promptly after.    When Dad passed we lost some of Mom in that.  

Keep in mind she was his caretaker 110%....  I did see a change in her.

I had no idea about ALS or Alzheimer’s but I knew she was lost.

Denise and I did everything we could do to help but to no avail...  She made the decision to move to Lafayette. I knew she knew something was off. Thank God .....   Carol has done a great Job taking care of Mom.  Mom meant love , happiness, and comfort.  

When you asked her to do something she always did.  She love Dad and her kids till the end.   She was GREATNESS and I will forever love and miss her....    

William  T. LeBlanc 

Message

Message

We are gathered together today to honor the life of ;

A Woman who loved life and lived life to the fullest.

I think he would have been a guy I would have wanted to hang around with.

He loved animals

He was a great mechanic

He like to go mountain biking

He like to snow board

He loved spending time with his dad

He loved working outside

He loved working on the tractor

He worked hard at everything he did

But what stood out to me the most was that Dustin loved to fish.

I don’t know about you friend

But I like a man that loves to fish.

Yeah we(talking about fishermen) might have a way of stretching the truth a little bit,

But there is something special about a fisherman

There is a common bond that all fisherman share.

As a matter of fact even Jesus talked about fishermen quite often.

We are a rare breed

It unfortunate that Dustin and I never met

There’s no doubt in my mind, we would have been friends…………..

On September 21 Josephine Leblance lost the battle to a lengthy illness.

Dustin lost the battle to a lengthy illness.

And because of that loss; those of us here today are faced with the realty that death brings,

There are no words or no actions that can adequately give the comfort needed.

The kind words that have been spoken; they do comfort,

and the acts of love that have been shown, they do give strength and support,

However; beyond all the words,

beyond all the acts of love, as much as they are needed and appreciated;

there is a need that we have today, that can only be filled by the presence of the Lord.

:

King David pens these words in one of the most troublesome time in his life:

He writes:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”

Therefore; we will not fear,

Though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

We will not fear;

Pause

The reality of life is that “The pain of death: is felt by those who are left behind;

The pain is real

And The pain can be almost unbearable at times

No words spoken by a man can adequately mend that broken heart

No acts of love or acts of Kindness can fill that void caused from death

Therefore; the only thing we can do is put our trust in “a” God; “that is” our refuge,

Put our trust in “A God who is our strength”

Put our trust in “A God who is our very present help in time of need”

-The only way I know how to deal with the hurt and pain in the time trouble;

-The only way I know how to deal with the loss of a son, a grandson, a brother, a friend

-The only way I know how to deal with “the hurts” and “the pains” that life brings our way is found in the “first two” words of ….

“God is”

As simple as that sounds to you and I today; those two words are “true and powerful”

God is

God is what?

“God is” our refuge,

“God is” our strength,

“God is” our very present help in our time of need.

It is this God we find in which tells is that “He is”

“The eternal God…..”

and that “He is our refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms……”

So majestic is “this God”; that we are told,

He “rides on the wings of the wind.”

It is “this God:

“who has measured the waters in the hallow of His hands,

and meted out heaven with a span,

and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance”

It is “this God” that sits upon the circle of the earth.

The heaven is His throne, and the earth is His foot-stool.

So great is “this God” that He is “unsearchable”,

Yet; He is so personable, that He is even aware of when a little sparrow falls to the ground.

This is what makes our God so great.

It’s not in His power or His might alone,

But in the fact that He is “personable” and “real” on an individual basis.

So personable that we can say; He is “my refuge”!

You see; God don’t give you monetary “things” to comfort you,

He gives you Himself….

The reality of life is that; the pain and the sorrow will continue.

But the question is how do we make it through each day.

Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee.

We make it through each day by: talking to the Lord just as you would talk to your friend.

It is through prayer and the pouring out of your heart to Him; that He gives strength to walk through the challenging and difficult times.

The scripture tells us that the Lord hears the cries of His people,

And what this means is that: when God’s people call on His name;

He lends them “His ear”

We have “His” attention

Through the hurt and the pain,

we can draw strength in knowing that when we call on Jesus;

We have His ear!

So first of all “God is” our refuge

Secondly “God is” our Strength

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

David said that “The Lord of host is with us;

the God of Jacob, He is our high-tower and our strong Hold.

He is my buckler and He is the horn of my salvation.

When you don’t have the strength to get out of bed.

When you don’t have the strength to put one foot in front of the other’

When you just don’t think you can make it through the day

Remember; the Lord of host is with you

The God of Jacob is; “your high tower”

When your heart is so heavy and you just don’t think you can take another breath;

Remember the words of King David

He said: “God is” my buckler

Simply meaning that He is my protector

And He is the horn of my salvation;

So personable is God that;

He is the very source of strength.

Not the things of this world

But God Himself is the source

God gives us strength when we look to Him.

1. God is our Refuge

2. God is our strength

3: God is our very present help in the time of need

So personable is God that David declares Him to be a; “Present Help”

Notice what David said: he said: “a present help”

That means right now,

that means tomorrow,

that means next week

and next month,

That means anytime you call his name.

God will be there to listen to you,

God will be there to comfort you and

God will be there to hold you.

God is our Refuge;

God is our strength;

God is our very present help in the time of need.

The scripture tells us that the Lord hears the cries of His people,

And what this means is that: when God’s people call on His name;

He lends them “His ear”

We have “His” attention

that brings me comfort.

To know that I have a God who concerned will all of my needs

To know that I have a God that Hears my cries

To know that I have a God that Lends me His ear

He is a personable God

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

God is so personable that He even knows the very hairs of our head…….

I pray today that you would allow this God to be:

Your Refuge

You Strength

You very present help…………..

On behalf of the family I would like to give special thanks to all the friends and family: for your prayers, for your support, and for all the kind words, and all the kinds acts; your support is greatly appreciated

To the Chauvin Funeral Home thank you for you support to this family at this time of need in there life. You care, concern, and professionalism is greatly appreciated

To the Gardenview assisted living facility ; thank you for the care and love that you have given Aunt Joe during her 3 year stay there, you all have been a great blessing to her and your care for her is greatly appreciated.

To the grandchildren and great grandchildren, You were the apple of your mamaw’s eye. You all meant so much to her. You all made her so very proud. I believe that she is your biggest fan. She is cheering for you and I want to encourage you to continue to make your mawmaw proud.

To Aunt Joe’s Sons

Little Ray, Tommy, William and Jack,

You are blessed beyond all measure to have the momma you had. I know that Aunt Joe was proud of each of you.

You may not have thought so when you were getting all those whippings. But I assure you friend, her love for each of you could never be measured.

I want to say thank you for loving your Momma the way that you did.

They’ll be an ache in your heart because you will miss her, but just remember this God is our Refuge, God is our Strength, God is our ever present help in the time of need. I love you guys and I am praying for you

Carol

The only girl in a house with 5 brothers, what can we say.

I know that as challenging as it may have been, Aunt Joe still made you feel special. She always did her best to show her love to you even in the little things.

I know that through her illness, you developed a special relationship with her that drew you two together, and that she became your best friend.

I want to say to you carol; cherish those time that you got to spend with her. they will be precious to you, even more so as you get older.

I also want to thank you for the care that you have given to your mom over these past several years. You stuck by her side. and I know that you made your momma proud.

I am praying for you and I encourage you to look to God who is our refuge, our strength, and our ever present help in the time of need.

Pray

I would like to say to you “paul Bearers”; thank you for your service and assistance. It is greatly appreciated by the family

To “the Halifax hospice” in Daytona Beach:

To the staff and Nurses from the Halifax Hospital; your kindness and support to this family is deeply appreciated and we thank you for all that you have done.

To Sister Brenda Fussell, Gene Hatcher and for playing and singing those beautiful song, thank you for your service.

To Rev. Wayne Fussell, the staff and the church body of Cypress Grove A/G; thank you for your assistance and your kindness that you have shown to this family

To Rose Saunders; “Me Me” thank you for being the grandmother to Dustin that you were, You were his Me Me. He loved you dearly. Thank you sis.

To Emelene Hatcher; thank you for your love and support to this family, You kindess is greatly appreciated; thank you sis

To Dillion Hatcher- thank you for being the man that you have been to Dustin; thank you for sticking by Mrs Dianna during this difficult time.. It is evident of the Love you have.. thank you Dillion

Kristy; or as Dustin would say “scristy”

You were the apple of your brothers eye.

Dustin loved you dearly.

You were a good sister to Dustin and I know he appreciated you sticking by His side through the most challenging time in his life.

I don’t think I do any harm by saying:

On behalf of Dustin: thank you for being the sister that you were.

Mrs Dianne; I want to say to you, thank you for being the momma you were to Dustin. The last few months have been extremely challenging for you and your family.

But I want you to know that you can hold your head up high.

Pray

As challenging as the days, weeks, months, and years may be

I want to tell you that “God is”

As a momma; you can hold your head up high; knowing that you were there for your son.

Thank you Ms Daine

Pray

Grave Site

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s Sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evel; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Whereas death has once more invaded our ranks and removed from this walk of life our beloved “ ”.

His soul having departed to dwell in the undiscovered country; from whoms born no travelers return.

It has become our sad duty to commit this body to the grave,

But our inspired duty to commend his soul to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.