Phyllis Ann Gaspard

Phyllis Courtney Gaspard, 78, of Lake Charles, went to her Heavenly home on Tuesday June 1, 2021. She passed away peacefully at home with family.

She was born February 6, 1943, in Atlanta, Texas to Glassel Leslie Courtney and Ebbie Lorene Howard Courtney. Her father worked in the oil field, so the family moved around quite a bit, but eventually settled and spent the majority of her childhood in Jennings, Louisiana where she sang and played the piano in church. She finished school at Jennings High, met her husband to be, Rodney Gaspard and went to USL to major in music. Rod and Phyllis married on March 31, 1962 and were inseparable for 58 years before his death in 2020. They were partners in business for 32 years where she managed the day-to-day operations for AGCO Auto Parts Inc. They were also partners in their recreation.

In the late 1960’s they started shooting skeet as a hobby. At first, Rod brought her to the skeet range just to learn how to shoot, but it was noticed immediately that she had an exceptional talent for the sport. Rod and Phyllis as a two-man team won the All-American Title. Solo, she went on to win numerous local, state, national, and world titles. She held the world record for breaking 99 out of 100 targets with a .410 gauge for approximately 9 years.

In 1973, they gave up skeet shooting and bought a camp on Big Lake. Phyllis loved to entertain her family and friends at the camp. Phyllis was so proud of her three grandchildren, spending countless hours spoiling them. She was a great cook, famous for her cakes and pies, truly a gracious host to all who came. All the family can say they have fond memories of summers at Big Lake. She dabbled in writing, poetry, and was known for her intelligent sense of humor which was enjoyed by many at the Big Lake Invitational Fishing Tournament (BLIFT) every year.

When the children were grown, Phyllis and Rod made Big Lake their permanent home. Many afternoons they could be found on the lake trolling for shrimp or fishing under the birds. In 1987 Phyllis discovered that a large migration of hummingbirds came right through the area. In the beginning she started with a few small feeders and ended up with a large array, feeding thousands of birds every year. In 2001, Phyllis and her daughter Rhonda got their real estate licenses and joined Flavin Realty where she remained an agent until 2020. She used her creativity and organizational skills to develop a successful team. Phyllis impacted the lives of many, and she will be truly missed.

She was welcomed into Heaven by the love of her life, Rodney Sean Gaspard, Sr.; her parents; and a brother, Dwight Courtney.

Those left to cherish her memory are a daughter, Rhonda (John) Tullos of Lake Charles; a son, Rodney “Sean” (Christie) Gaspard, Jr.; her grandchildren, Rodney S. “Boomer” Gaspard III, Courtney Ann Gaspard, and Morning Emmeline Richard; a great granddaughter, Camille Renee Perkins; a sister Helen Frisbie along with many beloved Nephews and Nieces.

The family will welcome friends at University Baptist Church on Friday, June 4, 2021, beginning at 5pm to 8pm. Her funeral led by Steve Shirley will be Saturday, June 5, 2021, beginning at 9am. She will be laid to rest in Highland Memorial Gardens.