Lloyd "Phil" Philip Barras

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church for Lloyd Philip Barras, 80, who passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Landmark of Acadiana Nursing Home. 

A visitation will take place at the funeral home in St. Martinville on Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

A rosary will be prayed at 10:00 AM on Tuesday. 

Rev. Jason Vidrine will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Readers will be Jamie Courville and Jill Maraist.

Pallbearers will be Gary, Luke, Sully, and Trey Barras, and Ethan and Lane Courville. Honorary pallbearers will be ARC of St. Martin clients.

Interment will follow at St. Michael Mausoleum. 

Although he was technically considered handicapped, thanks to his mother's foresight, Phil was taught throughout his life to be an independent, productive servant of God. He never considered himself handicapped and continued to live on his own decades after her death.

Throughout his life he was always employed, at times having more than one job. Early on he worked at the Gary Company, with his aunts, after which he worked with Mr. Dalton, Teddy and Buddy Hebert at White's. He later worked at Champagne's Small Engine with Lindon. After his day job, he would help out at Tuffy's until closing.  Later, he moved from his home to the Arc apartments, and worked at the Arc store. There, he spent many nights visiting with Duppy Duplantis watching TV and having snacks.  He also loved animals, especially the neighborhood cat, Corona, who he would sneak into his apartment.

He participated in the "Dancing with the Stars, an ARC fundraiser. He and his dancing partner, Marguerite Hebert, showcased their dancing skills and were the top fundraisers.

Phil was a member of the St. Martinville Volunteer Fire Dept. serving with Mrs. Grace Hebert and his dear friends, T-Bit Bourque, Mark Breaux, and all the other volunteer firemen. Many Sundays were spent with T-Bit, Mary Dell, and children eating lunch and having fun.

He was also a member of the Parks Veterans Organization, attending many suppers/meetings with his good friend, Tuffy.

Phil's life was one of service. He was recognized as "Humanitarian of the Year" by the St. Martinville Chamber of Commerce. He would often visit those who were sick or shut in. He would walk to deliver their church bulletin, and anything else they needed. While he waited after church for Miss. Doreen to bring him home, he would check each pew and remove forgotten items and bulletins.

He never forgot to thank those who helped him, often writing long thank you notes, in his own script. 

He inherited his family's love of music. He often spent evenings enjoying the SMHS band practices.

Through the years, there have been hundreds of people who have quietly helped him in many ways. To the many unknown, previously unacknowledged people in Phil's life, the family says a heartfelt, Thank You". Your contributions, although unacknowledged by anyone, usually because we didn't know, helped him to remain an independent, productive angel who touched so many lives. May God Bless you.

He will be sadly missed by his two brothers, Gary (Mattie) and Lukie (Dale), and nieces and nephews, Jamie Courville, Jill Maraist (Charlie), Sully Barras (Nicole), Trey Barras (Jayna), Brielle and Braydon Barras, Ethan and Lane Courville, Kate, Meg and Jeanne Maraist.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Evelyn (Kat) Gary Barras; and his nephews, Jeff and Bart Barras.

The family would like to thank the ARC and Landmark of Acadiana personnel for their personal care for Phil. 

Donations can be made to the St Martinville ARC Center, 500 Lelia Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 112 New Market St., St. Martinville, LA 70582 (337-332-2111), is in charge of arrangements.