Ferrell G. Darbonne Sr.

Funeral service for Ferrell G. Darbonne Sr., 55, will be at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Opelousas, on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, at 2 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Paul Bienvenu, celebrant. Interment in Bellevue Memorial Park, Opelousas. Readers will be Sonya Darbonne, Danielle Johnson and Dot Castille; offertory giftbearers will be Anita Manuel, Tina Ashford and Tonya Guillory. Mr. Darbonne, a native of Ville Platte, died at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at his home in Opelousas. He worked as a truck driver and salesman all of his adult life. Mr. Darbonne was a wonderful husband, father and brother. He was one who never met a stranger. He was a member of the Louisiana National Guard, having served in the Opelousas unit for five years. He was also a past member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3409, where he achieved 4th Degree knighthood. He enjoyed hunting, camping and cooking for his family and friends (he made a mean sauce piquant). He was one of the biggest LSU football fans you would have ever met. Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Mrs. Romona "Mona" Ashford Darbonne, who was his high school sweetheart; son, Ferrell "DJ" Darbonne II; daughter, Sonya Darbonne; two sisters, Janice Marks and husband Larry, and Angella Darbonne, all of Opelousas; and godchildren, Anita Manuel, of Ville Platte, Tina Ashford, of Eunice, Tonya Guillory, of Reddell, Danielle Johnson, of Carencro, Laila Marks and Kaleigh Marks, both of Opelousas, Joseph Johnson Jr., of Carencro, and Brendan Marks, of Opelousas. Mr. Darbonne was preceded in death by his parents, Milton Darbonne and Bernadine Fontenot Darbonne. Pallbearers will be Ferrell "DJ" Darbonne II, Morris Ashford, Joseph Johnson Sr., Nelson Castille, Claude Bernard and Eldon Leger. Honorary pallbearers are Larry Ashford, Larry Marks, Rollis Fontenot and Terry Fontenot. Visiting will be observed at Sibille Funeral Home, Opelousas, on Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Visiting continues at the funeral home Thursday from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. procession time. Express words of comfort to the family at http://www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.