The recent administration under the leadership of Mayor Carolyn Louviere, Alderman Andrea King, Alderman Rodney Trahan, Alderman Lawrence Mier, Alderman Colby Perry, and Alderman Bob Owens (presently Alderman Jackie Balmer), constructed a pavilion at Richmond Park per the requests of citizens in the surrounding area. Since its construction, the community has embraced the pavilion. Some citizens have since brought forth the idea of naming it after someone who made significant contributions in the community, especially the surrounding African-American community. City Hall has accepted the idea of dedicating the pavilion to someone significant in the community. After all, the pavilion was constructed to celebrate the community, and people beyond those who have been elected to public office have contributed to the enhancement of the community. The only hurdle is picking the honoree.

Many people in the surrounding area have supported Mrs. Cora Mae Gordon Vital as the honoree who died on November 22, 2017. Born to the late Bessie Mae and Joseph Gordon, Sr. on July 5, 1934, in Welsh, Louisiana, Cora Mae, or "Mae" as she was called by family and friends, was educated at Welsh Rosenwald School, Bethune High School, Southern University and McNeese State University. After receiving a B.S. and master's degree, she went on to teach in the Jeff Davis School System until retirement. During her years of service, she touched many lives. She considered it a privilege to support and assist young people both in and out of school. Mrs. Vital was the "go to" person. She was generous and lived her life helping others. She supported every cause and never turned away anyone needing assistance. Her favorite words were, "If I can't help you, I know someone else who will." She never met a stranger, and no matter how busy, she found the time for a friendly visit. She loved church, no matter where. She enjoyed communing with others and could be seen in attendance and participating in services at many different churches on a Sunday. She supported all churches and was often asked, "What church do you really belong to?"

She was affiliated with and participated in numerous professional, civic, and social organizations and received many certificates, honors, participation, and service awards. She held membership in Welsh Rotary Club, Jeff Davis Retired Teachers Association, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 520, Welsh Museum, Jeff Davis Council on Aging, and Red Hat Society. Because of her years of service as President of the Jeff Davis Retired Teachers Association (2002-2011), she was honored with the Killinger-Vital Scholarship Grant being named in her name. She had the honor of being named Welsh Rotarian of the Year 2017.

Michael Prudhomme, a local facet in the community of Welsh, has organized a petition to organize the support for this idea.  So far, he has collected over 100 signatures from people from all over the community who have accepted the idea, but with the heat and coronavirus, Michael can’t peddle his bike to absolutely everyone’s house who would like to be a part of the process.  He has been forced to innovate and offer the petition available online. 

Sign this petition and document your support for the "Cora Mae Gordon Vital Memorial Pavilion" at Richmond Park, a testament to her personal service in the community and to educators alike who serve a vital role in the community for the Town of Welsh.