A Celebration of Life for Carrie-Louis Francis Broussard was held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, in the Chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville, with Pastor Brian Coplin officiating. Burial was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball.
Carrie-Louis Francis Broussard went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Better known as “Ma,” she lived a glorious 102 years and eagerly awaited her upcoming 103rd birthday in December. On December 14, 1921, she was born to Louis Thomas Francis, II and Caroline “Carrie” Ellen Rawlins Francis in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Growing up, Carrie-Louis was a star student in home economics, specializing in cooking and nutrition at Baton Rouge High School. She was the winner of the Food and Nutrition division at a state-wide competition during high school and, therefore, was awarded a full academic scholarship to Louisiana State University to further her studies in nutrition. Unfortunately, she could not afford the cost of books for college, so she entered the workforce at Bell Telephone in Alexandria.
In 1941, she married Lee Joseph Broussard, a United States Coast Guard service member. After finishing his service in 1953, Lee J. and Carrie settled in Alexandria, Louisiana, and raised their 3 daughters, Carolyn Hope Brasell, Faith Melorie Wilkes, and Zelma Lenora Broussard. They were members of Emmanuel Baptist Church for many years as their girls went through school. The Broussard family moved to Pineville, LA, in 1970 to continue their time in Rapides Parish. They were long-time members of First Baptist Church in Pineville.
During her 30 years as a resident in the Alexandria/Pineville area, Carrie served as president of the prestigious Matinee Music Club of the Rapides Parish District. She also served Pineville as District 5 Councilwoman after her groom passed in November 1999.
Carrie was not only a nutritionist and cook but also a beautiful seamstress and sewed many things for many friends and family.
She excelled in every aspect of home economics. For over 15 years, Carrie would enter delicious recipes for The Lagniappe Cookbook hosted by the Alexandria Daily Town Talk. She would selflessly give her time to help the community in many ways, such as judging cooking contests, playing the piano for the weekly Kiwanis Club meetings, and substituting as the church pianist. She taught Sunday School everywhere she went to church, from youngsters to seniors. She was willing to help and serve wherever needed. Carrie truly had a servant’s heart!
In 2005, Carrie-Louis moved to Many, Louisiana, and became a member of First United Methodist Church there. She lived alone until the age of 100. Then, she became a cherished resident of Many Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, where she delighted the other residents with her stories, smiles, laughs, and piano skills until her death.
In 2022, Ms. Broussard was awarded the Key to the City of Many. When asked what her key to longevity was, she said, “Good nutrition!”
Carrie-Louis is survived by her three daughters, Carolyn Hope, Faith, and Zelma. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. Carrie is preceded in death by her husband Lee J. Broussard, her parents Mr. and Mrs. Louis Francis, her sister Olive Stone Francis Lee, her half-sister Rosalie Newsom Francis, and her half-brothers William Henry Newsom and Jesse Newsom.
Ms. Carrie will be missed by all who crossed her beautiful path in life! As we have learned through these terrible losses, we have adopted Ma’s favorite saying, “GOOD GRIEF!” We Christians are called to rejoice as loved ones pass to be with Jesus Christ for eternity, yet as human beings, we understand the physical pain of the loss. We are to look at our loss and the Lord’s gain and experience Good Grief. We, her family, all look for comfort in her favorite scripture 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”