Helen Dabadie Cart

Helen Dabadie Cart entered into eternal life on April 4, 2016, in her home in Crowley surrounded by family.
Born on Jan. 20, 1918, to Joseph Charles and Antonia Dabadie in Baton Rouge, Helen was the fifth of six children, with three brothers and two sisters. As a child she spent summers visiting family in New Roads and Donaldsonville. As a college student at Louisiana State Normal College in Natchitoches, she was selected to represent the school as the University Queen. She married the love of her life, Zachary Taylor Cart in May 1942 and together they had seven children.
Throughout her life she had a love of music, dancing and wine. She was known to dance to her favorite song, “Mack the Knife” well into her 90s. She spent her professional life educating young children as a teacher in the Acadia Parish school system. Her desire to guide people extended beyond her students, as she always had a word of guidance for family and friends. She was well known for her passion of tradition and adherence to proper etiquette and manners; which she shared with everyone.
She is survived by her children, Mike Cart and wife Kathy of Youngsville, Andrew Cart and wife Michelle of Lafayette, Catherine “Tweenie” Smith and husband Larry of Covington and Steve Cart and wife Mona of Crowley; grandchildren and their spouses, Jeanne Nickel, Martin Cart, Amy Sawyer, Nikki Pile, Leigh Flattman, Anna Roubion, Christopher Smith, Phillip Cart, Anne-Marie Drouant, Taylor Valdetero, Jacob Cart, Katie Cart, Maddie Cart, Beau Willeford and Mike Willeford; as well as 21 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Zachary Taylor “Jack” Cart; her parents, Joseph Charles and Antonia Dabadie; her sibilings, Eloise Dabadie Pollard Ragsdale, Cecil Dabadie, Roy Dabadie, Margaret Bounds and J.C. Dabadie; children, Ann Cart, Suzanne Cart and Margaret Eloise “Bebe” Cart Willeford; and grandson, Zachary Willeford.
Known for her love of reading and devotion to education the family requests that in lieu of customary remembrances, a donation instead be made to the educational entity or charity of your choice.
The family would especially like to recognize the caregivers who, over the last three years, tirelessly cared for our beloved family member, and who themselves have become members of our family.
Acting as pallbearer will be her six grandsons, Martin Cart, Beau Willeford, Phillip Cart, Mike Willeford, Christopher Smith and Jacob Cart.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Fr. Billy Massie, associate pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, will be officiating for the services. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family by www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley.