Community rallies around Proctors

Rev. James Proctor and his wife, Crowley Alderwoman Ezora Proctor, have been pillars of the community for as long as most residents can remember.
If anyone doubted the strength of those pillars, the tragic event that took the life of their son, Marcus, and their response was an example of their family’s strength and a city’s appreciation of the decades of service the Proctors have given to the City of Crowley.
Last Saturday Marcus was killed in Houston in an apparent robbery attempt.
“Both James and Ezora are unique people in that they both come from a family of educators and both come from families with strong faiths,” said Rev. Ivan Lewis, the pastor of Israelite Baptist Church in Crowley. “It’s nice to see the community coming together for them. They have given us so much and now it’s time for us to give back, it’s time for them to reap what they’ve sewn.”
Crowley Chief of Police Jimmy Broussard feels similar respect for the Proctor family.
“The Proctors have been a tremendous staple of the Crowley community,” said Broussard. “They have always been a shining example of faith and in the midst of this tragic event, their faith and trust in God still echo as a beacon to our community.
“The thoughts and prayers of our department are with the Proctors at this difficult time.”
The Proctors’ dedication to the people they serve could best be demonstrated by the fact that Rev. James Proctor and Ezora were both still on hand, preaching to his congregation in Jeanerette the day after learning the bad news.
“And boy did he preach,” said Ezora, understandably still subdued on Tuesday morning. “We’ve always believed that the Lord would never deliver anything to us that we wouldn’t be able to handle.”
The couple also was in attendance at the Rotary Installation Banquet Tuesday night.
Outgoing Rotary President Pat Miers had kind words Tuesday night for the Proctors and went on to say that she first began to admire Ezora when she served on her Advisory Council at Acadian Technical College.
“She is the epitome of grace, courage and compassion,” she added Wednesday.
Retired educator Audry Spencer, who runs the Empowering the Community for Excellence Learning Center, expressed sorrow and support for the Proctor family.
“James and Ezora have Clarence and my full support and sympathies,” she said. “I remember Marcus growing up and he will be extremely missed.”
Crowley Mayor Greg Jones expressed his sympathies to the woman who once opposed him for Mayor and currently sits on the City Council with him.
“Our sympathies are with the Proctor family at this time,” he said. “Nobody should have to bury their own child ... it just seems so senseless. Ezora and James have worked tirelessly in our community their entire careers either as educators or as civil servants.”