Church Point, LA:           Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Guidry Funeral Home in Church Point, LA for Mrs. Melba "Benny" Vautrot, 80, who passed away at 10: 12 PM Sunday, August 20 at her residence in Church Point. Rev. Joshua S. Carrier, Senior Pastor of Redemption Church Inc., will conduct the funeral services with burial immediately following in Bellevue Cemetery in Opelousas, LA.

Ms. Benny, a lifelong resident of Church Point, was the daughter of the late Iram Higginbotham and the former Mabel Lyons. Her servitude and love for the Lord came first and shined bright through her. It was evident in the way that she treated others with such compassion and kindness. She led her family by example, valuing a strong faith in God and unwavering love for those around her. In addition to her devotion to the Lord and her family, Ms. Benny loved to serve her community. She did so by owning and operating Vautrot's Mini Mart alongside her husband Jude, from February 1972 until March 2009, as well as volunteering for the kindergarten class at Branch Elementary, where she received the Acadia Parish A+PEL Volunteer of the Year award for 2013-2014. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to her caregivers and Louisiana Hospice for their incredible care and compassion given to her throughout the years.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Frank Jude Vautrot, Sr. of Church Point; one daughter, Nancy V. Hayes and husband Scotty of Branch, LA; one son, Frank Jude Vautrot, Jr. and wife Angela of Church Point; four grandchildren: Trey Matthew Vautrot and fiancee Makenzie Duplechain, Morgan Dean Hayes, Alexis Paige Hayes and fiancee Connor Foti and Taylor Madison Vautrot; three sisters, Annie Sanford of Baton Rouge, LA, Evelina "Tattie" Smith of Deridder, LA and Mary "Pampy" Richard and husband Andy; one brother, Mark "Bootsy" Higginbotham and wife Mary; two sisters-in-law, Lou Higginbotham and Betty Vautrot and one brother-in-law, Jerry Vautrot. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Clara Mae Burke and two brothers, Linton J. Higginbotham and Donald P. Higginbotham.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Guidry Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 22, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and continue on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until the time of services in the funeral home. Personal condolences may be sent to the Vautrot family at www.guidryfuneralhome.com . Guidry Funeral Home, 219 N. Broadway St., Church Point, LA is in charge of final arrangements.