Sandra Gayle Brougham

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. ~Proverbs 31: 28-30

On the morning of October 9, 2010, Sandra Gayle Gaspard Brougham, 64, took her last breath on Earth and awoke in the splendor of Heaven. Although cancer took her life here on Earth, it never took her determination to fight with unwavering faith in her Lord. She leaves a legacy of love and devotion to her Lord and family.

Gayle, as she was known to her family and life-long friends, was born October 21, 1945. She was the second of six children born to Paul and Betty Gaspard of Abbeville. Gayle lived in Abbeville until her marriage to James Brougham of Crowley. The couple then moved several times, but lived most of their married life and nurtured their family in Lake Charles.

A long-time member of Glad Tidings Church, Gayle's love for the Lord was evident to all who knew her. She was a faithful member of her Sonshine Sunday School class and offered up many prayers for those in need through the Prayer-Gram ministry. Her church family was a precious part of her extended "real-life" family.

As a merchandiser in local stores, many others knew her as Sandra, the Card Lady. She held this part-time position for several years and enjoyed getting to know so many new friends all over the area. If there was an occasion, you can bet she had a card for that!

Gayle was an accomplished cook and creative dessert master. She loved trying out new recipes and if you were blessed to sit at her table over the years, you experienced another tangible form of love from this diligent lover of the home and kitchen.

Without a doubt, the crowning achievement for Gayle was her family. She was a devoted wife to Jim and the couple was blessed with a marriage of more than 46 years. She was also the amazing mother of three children.

Gayle relished her role of "Grammy" to four grandchildren that basked in her loving glow every day and knew where the treats were in their special cabinet.

As her battle intensified and she realized her time here was short, it was with so much joy that she participated in the weddings of two of her children within four months. Her heart was content that all of her "babies"" were happy and well in their own new families.

The void formed by her passing can never be filled, but the legacy she left for her family, children and grandchildren can never be forgotten.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jim; daughter Kimberly Kane and husband Michael of Moss Bluff; daughter Leslie Brougham Freeman and her husband Paul of Baton Rouge, and son Branndon Brougham and wife Debbie of Westlake; grandchildren Keaghan, Reigner, Kellyn and Karis Kane of Moss Bluff; her mother Betty Gaspard of Abbeville; brothers Michael Gaspard of Conroe, TX and Sherial Gaspard of Gainesville, TX; sister Becky Gaspard of Abbeville; nieces and nephews.

Gayle was greeted in Glory by her father, Paul Gaspard, her sister Jan Olson and her brother Garland Gaspard. Their reunion was sweet.

Her funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverends Carl Richard and Gary Evers will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM and continue on Tuesday from 8:00 AM until the start of the service.