Left to right: Carolyn Douglas accepting the award for Carol Woodard, Alna Abbott, Lynnette Frazer, and Delores Jenkins, Chair of the Honored Women’s Committee. (photograph by Laurel McCartney)
The 20th Presentation of Honored Women by the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Louisiana.
Recognized for their ministry and service in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Acknowledged at the 129th ECW Annual Gathering on April 23, 2016 at St. James Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Alna W. Abbott
Alna Abbott joined the Episcopal Church in 1954 and was confirmed at Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, Louisiana. She and her husband, Charles, moved their wedding to Lafayette so that Charles could finish college. Thereafter, they moved to Zachary, Louisiana.
In March 1957, Alna and her family were founding members and instrumental in the formation of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, then located in the Band Room of Zachary High School. The Band Room had to be cleaned up after each school sports game to have it ready for Sunday worship services. At that time, the church’s Altar traveled in the trunk of a parishioner’s car until it was time for Sunday worship.
As of this year, Alna Abbott is the last living charter member remaining at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Zachary.
Alna has served as St. Patrick’s parish secretary, treasurer, and member of the vestry for more years than one can count, always eager to serve when called upon. In the years that the Episcopal Church Women’s organization was active at St. Patrick’s, she was very supportive. Alna also served as a Sunday school teacher for 22 years and is currently a member of the Choir and Altar Guild.
For a brief time Alna and her husband became members of St. Francis Episcopal Church, Denham Springs, Louisiana. While there, she served as Church Treasurer, a vestry member, Lay Eucharist Minister and was very active in ECW where she also served as Secretary and Treasurer for the group. She volunteered and enjoyed her involvement with St. Francis’ popular Pumpkin Patch.
Moreover, Alna and her husband encouraged their daughter to return to church, where she now serves faithfully in St. Francis’ church activities.
In 2010, after the passing of Alna’s husband, Charles, she transferred back to St. Patrick’s, which was nearer to her home.
Since 1954, Alna has been an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, a Christian organization for women, promoting religious leadership and community service. In this organization, Alna served in several different positions as an officer on the local and state level.
Alna has a warm and kind spirit, she never meet anyone without a gentle smile and conversation.
Alna continues to contribute her time and talent in various ministries at St. Patrick’s. She is a true and faithful servant in her church’s endeavors and in her love for her family and others.
Lynnette Frazer
Lynnette Frazer has been a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, for more than 45 years. She graduated from Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge, received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Louisiana State University and is a graduate of the Education for Ministry program offered from the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
Lynnette has faithfully served at St. James as a lay Eucharistic Minister; Class I and II, a leader for the Stephen Ministry, a teacher for the Bethel Bible Series, Sunday school teacher and for three years served as Education Director for the Diocese of Louisiana.
Lynnette also taught Religion and served as Girl’s Coach at Episcopal High School, Baton Rouge.
Moreover, Lynnette enthusiastically and devotedly served as diocesan Episcopal Church Women (ECW) President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and deanery chairperson of the ECW Baton Rouge Deanery. She remains an active member of the diocesan ECW Board.
In addition to her work in Louisiana, Lynnette also served as Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer of the national ECW, served as a Province IV representative, and has attended many women’s conferences at Province IV’s Kanuga Conference Center in North Carolina.
Lynnette has three sons and eight grandchildren. She was married for many years to her “soul mate” Thomas Frazer who was an active member of St. James before his untimely death.
Lynnette has continued faithfully and diligently to serve in many ministries demonstrating her love for God’s work.
Carol Emilie Klein Woodard
Fr. Roldan Roman and Carolyn Douglas presenting Carol Woodward with her Honored Woman certificate.
Carol Emilie Klein Woodard is a member of Grace Episcopal Church St. Francisville, Louisiana. Carol is the first of five children born to Rev’d J.A. and Ruth Klein, Minneapolis, Minnesota. After her marriage to Charles Woodard and living in several parts of the United States, Carol returned to Grace Episcopal Church where she has been faithfully serving for the past 25 years.
At a very early age, Carol taught Sunday school. She has volunteered in the Church office, sung in the choir, assisted with the nativity pageants, served as a delegate to the Diocesan Conventions, and never missed an ECW meeting.
Carol’s service has reached out into the community for more than 11 years. She has served in the outreach Nursing Home Ministry and enjoys singing to the Nursing Home residents, praying at their bedsides and reading Scripture, lessons and Psalms to them. She does this consistently with a wonderful smile of enjoyment and pleasure.
Carol continues to provide more delicious desserts to church gatherings than anyone can count.
Carol dutifully loves God, her church and the ministries she is involved in.
Carol remain dedicated and committed to carrying on God’s work in her church ministries and community service.