Born on August 7, 1930, in Abbeville, LA, Jim, as most knew him, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A graduate of Abbeville High School, he served four years in the U.S. Navy before returning home to attend the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Upon graduation, he began his career in insurance in Lafayette. In 1952, Jim married his beloved wife Janelle, and shortly after, they gave birth to their daughter Kimberly. Jim’s career took him all over the country, and in 1970, he settled with his family in Baltimore, where they lived for many years while he worked for Maryland Casualty Company. In 1981, Jim and Janelle moved back home to Lafayette, where he opened his insurance agency, continuing to educate burgeoning insurance agents at conferences and seminars nationwide. Following a distinguished career, in retirement, he and Janelle enjoyed traveling across the United States. In 2008, they decided to join their daughter, son-in-law, and five grandchildren in Baton Rouge. Here, for nearly a decade, Jim joyfully shared his love of Christ by serving as a sacristan at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church and volunteering at St. Clare Manor in ministry, performing communion service, delivering gospel reflections, and leading the rosary.
Jim is survived by his wife of 71 years, Janelle Doucet Hebert; his daughter Kimberly Hebert Hammett; grandchildren Grey (Elizabeth) Hammett III, Elizabeth (Austin) Branscum, Morgan (Teri) Hammett, Mary Margaret (Joey) Beck, and Brennan Hammett; and great-grandchildren Robbie and August Hammet, Mary Katherine, Turner, and Anna-Lane Branscum, James and Emma Hammet, and Mary-Anna and Pierce Beck. He is preceded in death by his parents, Otto Hebert and Ida Hebert, sister, Joyce Hebert Russo, and son-in-law Robert Grey Hammett, Jr.
Visitation will be at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on Thursday, December 7, at 9 a.m., until the Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Fr. Cleo Milano, at 10 a.m. Interment at the Garden of Peace Columbarium will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be directed to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 220 St. Vincent de Paul Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802.
