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FAMILY LETTER

On the Cover Rouses Traditional King Cake Read more about Rouses King Cake Krewe on pg. 48 Cover Photo by Romney Caruso • • • “ People who knew Granny generally agree on one thing: When you talked to her, she made you feel like you were the only person in the room. She gave you her complete attention. She made everyone she met feel like she was genuinely interested in them, because she was.” —Donny Rouse, CEO, 3rd Generation “ Granny was always incredibly involved in everything we were doing. Even though there were so many of us — she raised six kids, who gave her 17 grandkids — she would be present at every little event throughout our childhood. Granny would always find little ways to make each one of us feel special.” —Ali Rouse Royster, 3rd Generation “ Granny was always teaching us life lessons even when we thought we were just playing games. She was a master at Chinese checkers and cards — any game of skill. She saw four or five moves ahead. She taught me all about the importance of having a strategy for what you do.” —Chris Acosta, 3rd Generation “ She was without a doubt the heart and soul of our family. Her strength, kindness and character will forever be an ideal for our family.” —Blake Richard, 3rd Generation

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony J. Rouse, Sr.

Joyce Guillory Rouse (1928-2017) My mother, Joyce Guillory Rouse, was born in Eunice, Louisiana, in 1928. The Guillorys were a close-knit family, and after my Aunt Lee moved to Thibodaux, Mama followed to go to secretarial school. Aunt Dean would also move close by, and for a few years, my grandparents, Artion and Eldie, lived in Thibodaux as well. Mama met my father, Anthony J. Rouse, Sr., at the College Inn, a popular Thibodaux dance hall — not surprising, since they both loved to dance. Mama was a secretary, and Daddy worked for his father, J.P. Rouse, at the City Produce Company.They married in 1949 and had six children: my brothers Anthony, Jr.,Wayne, Tommy and me; and two daughters (my sisters), Cindy Acosta and Jeaneen Rouse. In 1960, Daddy and his cousin Ciro DiMarco opened our family’s first grocery, a little 7,000-square-foot store in Houma, Louisiana. Daddy and Cousin Ciro poured everything they had into that little store, and Mama helped out nearly every day. As soon as we kids were old enough to work, we did too — after school, on weekends and on holidays. Cousin Ciro eventually retired in 1975, and Daddy — with Mama’s help — went on to open supermarkets all over South Louisiana. Mama and Daddy were devoted to one another. As busy as they both were — Daddy building a business; Mama helping at the stores, wrangling six kids and later keeping up with 17 boisterous grandkids — they always made time for each other. Saturday night was reserved for what we would call “date night” nowadays. It always included dancing. And date night continued right up until my dad’s death in 2009. Mama never waned in her support or love of her family, and she bravely carried on, even when times were tough. She handled everything that life threw her way with strength, dignity and grace. If my father was the head of our family, my mother was certainly the heart. Since her passing in December at age 89, so many of you have shared fond memories of her over the years. Knowing she was loved by so many people is of great comfort to us and to all our family. Donald Rouse 2 rd Generation

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