By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
WESTLAKE — Deacon Julius Garrett Caraway Jr., will long be remembered for his tremendous support of the pro-life cause throughout the Diocese of Lake Charles.
Before his death at the age of 91 on March 11, 2024, for many years he was a true servant doing whatever he could to help save countless unborn babies from the threat of abortion.
Bishop Glen John Provost, reflecting on the life of this exemplary minister of the Church said, “Deacon Caraway truly embodied for us involvement in so many valuable services to Christ and His Body, the Church. Throughout his many years he recognized what needed to be done and answered the call.
“We entrust him confidently to the Lord and offer his family and friends our deepest condolences,” the bishop continued. “He leaves behind a rich legacy of service that should be a consolation to us all.”
A permanent deacon since 1977 — first for the Diocese of Lafayette and later for the Diocese of Lake Charles, serving at St. John Bosco Catholic Church — Caraway was also a pharmacist and owner of Caraway’s Pharmacy in Westlake. He used these two platforms to reach young mothers, students, adults, and anyone he could impact with the pro-life message.
His daughter, Evette Caraway Ange, also a pharmacist at Caraway’s, recalls how her father became active in the pro-life ministry and especially New Life Counseling, a local crisis pregnancy center started by Monica Breaux in 1984.
“I was in high school when Roe v. Wade (legalized abortion) happened in 1973. My family was horrified and could not believe that people would do such a thing,” said Evette, who has two younger brothers and a sister.
It was through a Natural Family Planning class, Couple-to-Couple League, when Evette first crossed paths with Breaux in 1985.
“My husband Sam and I married in 1982 and had been through Natural Family Planning classes taught by Monica and her husband.
“Monica had started New Life Counseling a couple of years after we were married and sent letters to people she had taught asking them to pledge $5.00 a month for expenses. The letter also explained there would be free pregnancy tests and counseling for mothers considering an abortion,” Evette said.
“I told Monica I would do whatever I could to help but I could not counsel anybody,” she recalled, until one day she found herself talking a mother out of an abortion. It was an eye-opener for Evette who was then formally trained and joined Monica as a counselor.
“I remember going home and telling Dad about my experience, and shortly after, he became involved with New Life Counseling and remained active for several decades,” Evette remarked.
Within a year of volunteering, Deacon Caraway was appointed to the board of directors for more than 20 years. He also served as diocesan pro-life coordinator for many years.
“He would give pro-life talks to students at St. Louis Catholic High school. He gave talks to catechism groups and to Knights of Columbus councils,” said Evette. “Anytime he would speak to adults, Dad would always raise funds for New Life Counseling. He also led First Saturday rosaries for the unborn for many years at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Westlake."
It was after she attended pharmacy school that Evette said she learned about chemically induced abortions.
“My father and I were learning a lot at that time (in the late 1980s) and once we were aware of the potential for birth control pills to cause abortions, he immediately stopped selling birth control at the pharmacy,” she said. “He did not want any part of it. To this day, Caraway’s Pharmacy does not sell birth control pills.”
One thing Deacon Caraway did provide — free of charge — were pre-natal vitamins to clients of New Life Counseling. The pharmacy still does today.
Evette said her father’s involvement with the pro-life cause extended beyond himself and what he could do. He was also a faithful witness for his 17 grandchildren (and later 34 great-grandchildren), impressing upon them the importance of life at all stages.
“Every year, we would bring the grandchildren to the local candlelight vigil on the steps of the Courthouse, and my dad was right there with us,” Evette shared. “He was always active either by giving a talk or leading the opening prayer.”
The candlelight vigil was started by New Life Counseling on January 22, 1996, and has been held annually every year since. It has grown into the “March for Life Southwest” in conjunction with Louisiana Right to Life.
Evette said her father was a huge supporter of the annual New Life Counseling banquets. “He attended every year, buying tables, and doing whatever he could to support their cause.”
On behalf of New Life Counseling, the Executive Director expressed her eternal gratitude for Deacon Caraway’s dedication to the life-saving ministry.
“It is the men and women who laid the foundation of New Life Counseling that we continue to give thanks,” said Tabitha Dugas. “It was by their sacrifice and prayers that New Life Counseling has been able to serve and save thousands of lives for nearly 40 years.”
If Evette’s father could give one last message to someone in a crisis pregnancy contemplating abortion, she said he would tell them, “God has a plan. You need to trust God and know that there is help. If you go through this, it will be the biggest regret of your life. You do not have to make this choice.”
