Deborah Ann Trahan Bellard

Deborah Ann Trahan Bellard, 72, passed away peacefully at home in Bell City, LA on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 by the side of her cherished husband. She was born on September 17, 1951, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Alvin and Ethel Higginbotham Trahan.

Her intellect and empathy led her into a career as a registered nurse. She thrived as a caregiver in this profession for ten years before the loss of her vision. This caring nature is what guided her to donating blood 45 years ago, when she’d meet her love, Ricky Bellard. He was instantly enamored with the unique spirit she was known for. To know her was to love her, giving her many devoted friends whom she regarded as family. She was a human embodiment of Mardi Gras, her favorite holiday. Her boisterous energy empowered her ability to bring joy to those around her with her quick wit and cheeky banter. There was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time with her loved ones, especially her thirteen grandkids and eight great grandkids. As well has her step grandchildren whom she loved as her own. She would often announce these youths to be her greatest pride. Deborah will be remembered as an affectionate wife, mother, mawmaw, great grandmother, and friend.

Her grace is mimicked in the flutter of a butterfly’s wings, her energy transformed into the hops of a frog, and her tenacity echoed in the songs of birds. She was too great to truly ever be gone.

Those left to cherish her memory are, her beloved husband of 45years, Ricky Bellard, and her five children, Aimee Adaway Doan (Kirby), Joshua Adaway (Chrissy), Sarah Bellard (Charlie), Jessica Shotwell (Dusty), Rebecca McNabb (Anthony).

She was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Ethel Higginbotham Trahan, and her brothers Eugene Joseph Trahan and Michael Ray Trahan.

A Celebration of Deborah’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 in the Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles Chapel. Monsignor Gaddy will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA on Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM until the start of the service at 1:00 PM.