Sandra Gayle Brougham
October 21, 1945 ~ October 9, 2010
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.
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Although I could not be there in person, this is my soul talking to you. Jesus died in the cross so we could have eternal life. Gayle will never die again, she is eternal, with God in our hearts. My arms are around you. Bill and Lupe
Although I never knew your Mom Leslie, I know that she lives on in you. How wonderful that she shared in your wedding. Henry Drummond said, To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.
Dear Family – I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I met Gayle many years ago at Glad Tidings Church. On a trip back home to Lake Charles I ran into Gayle and she told me of her illness and of her strong faith and how she had placed all in the Father's hand. Even then she was cheerful and bubbly! Such an amazing woman. I will miss her and I know all who knew her will. My prayer is that His peace will over flow your hearts and minds until that great getting-up-morning when we are reunited with our loved ones and see them and our Saviour face to face!
Dear Family: I went to school in Abbeville with Sandra Gayle (that is what we all called her then). I can remember walking down the halls of Abbeville High and laughing so hard with her that we both had to hold on to each other! I was so sorry to read that she had passed away. Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your wonderful Sandra Gayle.Virginia Beauxis Johnson
Dear Friends:I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. What an incredible legacy she leaves for each of you. One of my fondest memories was getting to visit with her on my weekly trip to Walmart. She always had time to share a smile and chat a bit. What a special lady she was. There were things that were always evident when you talked to her…she loved her God, her husband and her family! She, like Paul, can say…I have fought a good fight, I have finished to course, I have kept the faith… II Timothy 4:7. She is where she has lived to be! What a day that will be when we all join her and countless others there! My sincere love and sympathies to each of you.
I am a child hood friend of her sister Jan, who is also missed by so many….now the sisters are together…The Gaspard's down the street from us, was bless with such a beautiful family…..My family and I send our thoughts prayers to you and your family at this time of your loss….Bless all of you…Charmaine, James, Florance White
I REMEMBER AFTER I WOULD SING A SOLO, SHE WOULD COME AND TELL ME HOW THE SONG BLESSED HER SOUL. I WILL MISS HER SMILE AT GLAD TIDINGS CHURCH. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL LOVE BONNIE DICKSON AND THE DICKSON FAMILY
I was a part of Gail's church family. She was a precious jewel to me. Always showed the love of Christ no matter what she was going through. I will miss her on Earth but rejoice about seeing her again in heaven. May the family find confort in th Lord always ….at all times….God Bless~~
It was with such great sadness that I saw Gayle's name in the paper. She I were so close many years ago when our children were younger ( so were we). Much to my regret, we didn't keep in touch the past several years – time just slipped away. I fault myself for not having kept in touch once she moved to Moss Bluff. I remember going to Sarah Coventry Jewelry parties at her house – that is how far back we go. I remeber always enjoying good coffee good desserts – sharing of special private thoughts – her beautiful smile laughter – one of her favorite sayings Now, you know~ – how important family always was – how thrilled she was at having grandchildren – what a Sister in Christ she was – I could go on on. How blessed anyone was to have known her! Please accept my very deepest sympathy! May you all recall good times from the past that bring smiles to your faces to your hearts~ Ellen Montgomery
Kim family – I am very sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Please know that you are all in my thoughts prayers at this time.
Lesile, I remember your mom very clearly from band in high school and she was one of the nicest most loving people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Prayers to you and your family in this very difficult time.
Leslie, I was very sorry to hear about you mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Leslie,I am so very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Please know that you and your entire family are in my heart and I will be praying for the Lord's strength and peace that passes all understanding to help you all through this very difficult time.
Leslie,I have read the messages left here by others who knew your mother. What a wonderful Child of God, wife, mother and nurturing person she must have been. I am sorry for your loss. I am holding you and your family in my prayers.
My prayers go out to the family. I had the joy of working with Mrs. Sandra at Wal-mart and with Hallmark, she was a wonderful person I will miss her dearly.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of loss. However, at today's services we celebrated a beautiful life. It was evident in everything that was said that Mrs. Brougham was a remarkable woman. I know first hand that she was a praying women because she prayed with me and for me. The prayer that she prayed for me remain in my heart today and always. I thank God for the opportunity to know her.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
The last time I spoke with Gail was right after I learned that I had cancer. Even though Gail had been battling cancer for some time, she was concerned about me and sent me a sweet, encouraging card.I know that she prayed for me daily, as I did for her.She was a very special christian lady and will be missed by so many.
Those we Love remain with us,for Love itself lives on.Cherished memories never fade,because one loved is gone.Those we Love can never be,more than a thought apart,for as long as theres a memory,they live on in our heart…
We are so sorry to hear of Mrs. Gayle's passing. A lot of good memories, Kim. Being in your room, listening to Farrell Farrell and The Imperials, fixing each other's hair, smelling something good coming from the kitchen, many yummy suppers desserts (one of my faves is still a peanut butter, chocolate bar cookie concoction that she made). You, Kim, your family are the reason I (and my family) starting going to G.T. Thank you! Tim I had the pleasure of visiting eating w/ them last year at the prayer breakfast annual steak dinner. So glad we got to see her (and your Dad) then. We love her and y'all!
We are so very sorry to hear of Gayle's passing. She will be missed. You are all in our thoughts prayers.