RAYNE – Services for former Acadia assessor Russel Benoit, Sr. will be Thursday. He died Nov. 29 at age 75.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Benoit of Rayne; six daughters, Dr. Tina and husband, Dr. Rod Clark of Lafayette, Lisa and husband, Randy Guilbeaux of Houston, TX., Melanie Landry of Lafayette, Janet and husband, Guy Andrus of Katy, TX., Laurie and husband, Shawn Stoute of Lafayette, Diane Hopper of Shreveport; three sons, Russel (Rusty) and wife, Mitzi Benoit, Jr. of Branch, Wayne Hopper of Monroe and John and wife, Kelli Hopper of Prairieville; 16 grandchildren and one great-grand-daughter; one brother, Norbert Benoit of Rayne; one sister, Marjorie Fisette.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Despilar and Emma Benoit; one brother, J.D. Benoit.

Benoit was elected to the Rayne City Council prior to being elected as Acadia Parish Assessor in 1983. Mr. Benoit was elected to seven consecutive terms as Assessor. While Assessor, Mr. Benoit was responsible for computerizing the Assessor's Office and implementing a digital mapping system for all Acadia Parish properties.

Benoit served as the President of the Louisiana Assessor's Association in 2004. He was a Certified Louisiana Assessor, member of the International Association of Assessing Officers, and was a past member of the Louisiana Assessor's Association Legislative Committee and Constitutional Committee.

He was instrumental in passing several important pieces of legislation that affected Louisiana Assessors and property owners such as the permanent homestead exemption, assessment freezes to benefit the elderly and the disabled and permanent use value applications to assist those in the agriculture business.

Prior to his service in the Assessor's office, Mr. Benoit was a building contractor and the owner and operator of Benoit's Lumber Yard in Rayne, La.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM in the funeral home chapel in Rayne, then Thursday, 8:00 AM until time of services. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 in the evening on Wednesday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in St. Joseph #2 Mausoleum in Rayne under the direction of Duhon.