Delpha Neal Horaist

A Christian Service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the American Legion Home in Abbeville, at 11:30 am honoring Neal Horaist, age 77. Visitation will take place from 9:00 am until the time of service, also at the Legion Home. Following the service, a Marine service and 21- gun salute with taps will be held outside the Legion Home, and refreshments will follow. Neal’s ashes will be scattered later in North Louisiana at the Backwoods Hunting Club where he loved to deer and turkey hunt. Following a brief hospital stay, Neal died peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, April 30. Neal was a family and community leader throughout his life. He was president of the Louisiana Cattle Festival for many years and president of the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals in 1997. Neal Loved to hunt, go to the casino, judge pageants, spend time with his grandchildren, and do as much as possible with the American Legion in Abbeville. After graduating from Sunset High School in 1963, he attained an Associate’s Degree from Coyne Electrical College in Chicago, Illinois. Neal served his country as a United States Marine during the Vietnam War Era. Although he was never called for duty in Vietnam, he was proud of the fact that he was a Marine. Semper Fi! Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Helen Horaist; his brother, Ronnie Horaist, and his brother-in-law Roy Theriot, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barbara Theriot Horaist, brother-in-law Sammy Theriot (Mary), sister, Susan Castille (Armand), brother, Joey Horaist (Brenda), brother, Felix Horaist, Jr. (Laura, sister, Lynn Venable, and twin sisters, Nell and Dell. His son, Jerrell Horaist (Jackie), son, Christopher DeBlanc (Maria), and son, Mike DeBlanc (Christian); his surviving grandchildren, Andrew Horaist, CJ DeBlanc (Morgan), Layla DeBLanc-Vasquez, Kaden DeBlanc, Olivia DeBlanc, Mason DeBlanc; great-granddaughter, Aloriana DeBlanc. Neal was presently working part-time for Potty Girl, and had worked for Roy Young for many years. Neal’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dr. Jacob Karr, and Dr. Frank Courmier, along with the priests who performed the Anointing of the Sick rites. Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555, (337) 740-3123, is in charge of arrangements.

Delpha Neal Horaist

August 21, 1945 - April 30, 2023