Janurary 1, 2010

 
RE:  2009 Founding Donors

NGFHF has wonderful news to share with you.  The following persons donated their time and/or treasure in memory of an ancestor.  They are being honored for being 2009 Founding Donors of the National Grand Family Heritage Foundation.  In theirown way, each of them were instrumental in 2009 to establish the Foundation and support its mission as an educational organizational to preserve Louisiana's French-Creole History and Heritage.

Dawn Guidry Carmouche (Baytown, Texas) - Dawn has been the "Wind Beneath the Wings" of forming the Foundation.  She has donated countless hours and great skill preparing documents and organizing meetings.  She is a video historian and has videotaped many older family members over many years and has a valuable library of interviews with many deceased ancestors, sharing family history.  Dawn dedicates her service to the memory of her grandmother, Ethel Lacour Goudeau.

Mary F. Metoyer Gradney (Beaumont, Texas) - Donation made "in loving memory of my father, Ellis J. Metoyer."  Ellis was son of Eaton and Mary Ray Metoyer.

Harlan "Mark" Guidry (Kemah, Texas & Cane River, Louisiana) - "Cousin Mark" brings over 30 years of personal research to the Foundation.   This historian, author, researcher,  archivist, and founding member of the first Grand Family Reunion, 1981, serves as President and Founder of the National Grand Family Heritage Foundation.  His extensive donation of his time and treasure is dedicated to the memory of his grandmother, Ethel Lacour Goudeau - The Heart of the Grand Family!  She was known as a peace-maker with a deep love for her "people" - a trait that lives in "Cousin Mark" who is a descendant of all 5 Grand Family bloodlines.

Marilyn Goudeau Guidry (Port Arthur, Texas) - Marilyn combines talent, family history, culinary skill and heritage into a best selling family heritage cookbook, BEST OF EVERYTHING: Mama's Creole Kitchen.  She has donated her product for sells to benefit the Foundation and its mission.   She has also worked to develop a concept for a 30 Year Anniversay Cookbook, with stories and recipes of our ancestors, a product to preserve our food history and related traditions.  STAY TUNED !  Marilyn dedicated her service in memory of her parents - Warrington B. & Ethel Lacour Goudeau.  Together, they created in Marilyn a descendant of all  5 Grand Family bloodlines!

Alice Nelson Jones (Gretna, Louisiana)

Vivian Metoyer (Beaumont, Texas) - Donation made in memory of Ellis Metoyer (January 18, 1918 - July 28, 1972).  Vivian also serves on the advisory board of the Foundation and brings a wealth of information and ideas.

Lavert Patterson (Oklahoma)

Vivian Ann Ray Tucker (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - Donation in memory of her great grandparents, Oscar Ray and Celenice Ray & Savannah Ray (her step great grandmother); grandparents, Louis Ray and Angeline Sayles; parents, Earnest and Naomi Barnett Ray; deceased brother, Dexter Ronald Ray; and her deceased son, Michael L. Ray Harrison.   Vivian indicated that the donation was submitted by her and her siblings:  Ernestine Mildred Ray Harvey, Ernest Milton Ray, Blanche Marie Ray Mayo; and Louis Nathan Ray.


Congratulations and Much Appreciation to 2009 Founding Donors!

The National Grand Family Heritage Foundation