Brenda Kaye Murphy Ardoin

Brenda Kaye “Murph” Murphy Ardoin passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017 in the comfort of her home.

She was born July 29, 1954, the only child to David and Audrey Murphy. She was raised in Cameron Parish and lived most of her life in Lake Charles. She was a graduate of LaGrange High School. During her younger years, Brenda was active in the Lake Charles Runners Club. She ran many Contraband Days 5 milers, several Crescent City Classics with 40,000 other runners and many 1 milers with her son. She loved sports and fishing with Cowboy and Aaron. During her later years, she took up golf so that she could share the love for another sport with Aaron. Their last game was two rounds on May 9th and May 10th while in Arkansas for a family vacation. She always enjoyed working in her yard.

Brenda will be most remembered for her trust in people. She saw something good and a friend in everyone she met. As her friend, she was the most loyal, loving and honest friend one could have.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 40 years, Melvin Edward “Cowboy” Ardoin, Jr. of Lake Charles; her only son, Aaron Murphy Ardoin of Sugar Land, TX; only grandson, Cooper James Ardoin of Sugar Land, TX; mother, Audrey Granger Murphy of Lake Charles; father-in-law, Melvin Edward Ardoin, Sr. of Iowa, LA, sister-in-law, Sharon Ardoin Martinez and husband Carlos and their son Carlos of Houston, TX; brother-in-law, Tony Ardoin and his wife Melinda of Beaumont, TX and nieces and nephews. She also leaves many extended family members of Mr. Murphy and Mrs. Audrey’s family, as well as her second family of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals of the State of Louisiana and endless friends and co-workers of Gulf States Utilities.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Murphy; mother-in-law, Jerry Ardoin and brother-in-law, Kenneth Ardoin.

Brenda began her fight in 2009, a total warrior, in her fight against Breast Cancer. Throughout her battle she remained optimistic and courageous with each new obstacle. She never complained and never took a pain pill, not even after a radical double mastectomy. She encouraged everyone she met to stay strong and research and learn as much as they can about their disease so that they can ask all the right questions when they meet with their Doctors. She also encouraged everyone to learn more about what doctors don’t really talk about: METASTATIC CANCER.

Cowboy, Aaron and Cooper, along with Brenda’s families would like to extend heartfelt thanks to her Memorial Hospital Oncologist, Dr. Mike Broussard, his nurses and staff, and the entire Oncology department for the excellent care and compassion Brenda received. Brenda wanted everyone with cancer to know that you don’t have to leave Lake Charles to get great treatment. “At the end of the day, it’s all in God’s hands”.

“Brenda I love you, we all love you, God bless and we will see you again.” -Cowboy

A celebration honoring Brenda will be at 6:00 PM Saturday, June 17 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Friends and family may visit Saturday from 4:00 PM until the start of service. Inurnment at Prien Memorial Park will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, www.ethelbreastcancerwalk.org or 165 Precht Road, Bell City, LA 70630.