Sue Caroline Birdwell Alves

A Memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette for Sue Caroline Birdwell Alves, 78, who passed away March 31, 2008, at her home in Lafayette following a long illness. Reverend Ed Boyd, Senior Minister at Asbury United Methodist Church will conduct the services. Sue Birdwell Alves was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Frances Taylor Birdwell and LeRoy Birdwell on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1929. Sue graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas and Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she was president of her sorority and served in several other honorary organizations. As a longtime member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Sue taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. More recently, Sue has served the Asbury Board as chairman of the Asbury Heritage Foundation and member of the Asbury Finance Committee. Sue also served on the board of the Louisiana Methodist Foundation Investment Committee. Sue was a member of Lafayette Rotary. As a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, Sue served as president of the Lafayette Alumnae chapter, and received the national Zeta Merit Award. She was also a White Violet Award recipient. Sue was a past president of Chez Amis service organization. In the 1960's, Sue became one of the first women landmen in the south. She was the first woman member of the Lafayette Association of Petroleum Landmen. Later, Sue was a financial advisor for 22 years, beginning at Howard Weil Labouisse and Friedrich, then Legg Mason, now Smith Barney. She headed up the Howard Weil office at one time. For Legg Mason, she attained select membership in the Pacesetters Club and President's council. Sue is listed as a member in the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals. In Sue's capacity as a financial advisor, her friends were her clients. During her years as a financial advisor, she enjoyed great outreach in the Lafayette community by helping friends with their financial planning. Sue is survived by her daughter, Susan Alves Bonnette, and husband, Steve Bonnette of San Antonio, Texas; granddaughters, Elizabeth Bonnette of New York, New York, and Stephanie Bonnette Arnold and husband, Brett Arnold of San Antonio, Texas. She is also survived by her brother, James Allen Birdwell and wife, Elnora Birdwell of Houston, Texas; sisters-in-law, Joan Birdwell of Chicago, Illinois, and Frieda Alves of LaGrange, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard T. Alves, Jr., and her brother, LeRoy Birdwell, Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Asbury Methodist Heritage Foundation, the Rotary Foundation, or Hospice of Acadiana. Personal condolences may be sent to the Alves family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Sue Caroline Birdwell Alves

April 8, 1929 - March 31, 2008