Rebecca Ann Bridges Broussard, 78, precious mother and lovingly adored family matriarch, died peacefully in a Lake Charles hospital on August 27, 2021.  Rebecca was born on February 27, 1943, in White Sand, Mississippi, to James Ethel and Nannie Marie Roberts Bridges.

Prior to moving to Louisiana, Rebecca met Woodrow, the love of her life, at Bush’s Café in New Hebron, Mississippi, where she was working, and he was roughnecking in the area.  Before working at Bush’s, she worked alongside her siblings, picking cotton with her parents in the luscious fields of Jeff Davis County. Sundays were reserved for family with the Bridges gathering to enjoy southern home cooking in the company of brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles.  This love of family gatherings evolved from the Bridges in Mississippi to the Broussards in Louisiana. The young family of two grew into a family of forty-nine.  The birth of each grandchild, great-grandchild and great-great grandchild was celebrated and loved as dearly as the firstborn. Rebecca’s family was her treasured priority and she set the standard as both a mother and grandmother. A longtime member of Tom Hebert Baptist Church, she also enjoyed gardening, particularly working in her flower beds, and shopping, as well as cooking and preparing for family gatherings.

Those left to cherish her memory are her seven children, Shiela Ann Conner of Iowa, Debra Lyne Henderson of Iowa, Travis Martin Broussard (Jocelyn) of Sweetlake, Kurt Allen Broussard (Angela) of Lafayette, Theresa Ann Smith (Edward) of Broussard, Lora Renee Mock (James) of Grand Lake, and Darla Michele Montie (David) of Sweetlake; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; her sister, Kathryn Sue Bridges Roberts of Wesson, Mississippi; her brothers, James Harvey Bridges of Clarksville, Tennessee, Joseph Michael Bridges of New Hebron, Mississippi, and Buddy Earl Bridges of Creole; one godchild, Sonia Augustine; and her fur baby companion, Meko.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Martin Broussard; her grandson, Channing Wayne Conner; her sons-in-law, Pierre Valsin Boudreaux, and Douaine Paul Conner; and her sisters, Frances Nell Bridges Coats, Hazel Louise Bridges Mansco, and Luna Merle Bridges Barnett.

Her funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at University Baptist Church, located at 4505 Lake Street, Lake Charles.  Brother Lee Whitley will officiate.  Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles.  Visitation will be held at the church from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, September 3, 2021, with the Holy Rosary being recited at 6:00 PM.  Visitation will resume at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.

For the sake of the health of both family and friends, social distancing will be practiced, and the family understands that it may not be in everyone’s best interest to attend.  Prayers and kind thoughts are equally comforting and appreciated.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.