August 6th, 2015 – Today would have marked the 69th birthday of my mother Sandra Fay Prather Broussard. This special TroysArt post is dedicated to a life that touched so many and a life that ended too soon.
1952, Sandra Prather
The daughter of Bob & Fay Prather, she was born in New Orleans and grew up in downtown Jennings and with her sister Charlotte was third generation in the Prather home on Nezpique Street. As a youngster Sandra was known as a firebrand with pigtails, coveralls, and her notorious bag of marbles roaming the alleys off Main Street and the yards of the Victorian mansions that once lined the block, somewhat of a Scout Finch. But she morphed into a proper young lady taking lessons in piano and dance. Sandra became known for her dancing, baton twirling, love for animals, sense of humor, and immaculate wardrobe.
1955, Sandra Prather
The Prathers were pillars of the community and the First Baptist Church; she had a strict but often indulgent upbringing, sheltered and also spoiled. She was an it girl and at Jennings High School elected Class Favorite and her senior year voted Most Humorous.
1964, Sandra Prather
It was also at Jennings High School where she met Eddie Broussard after for some inexplicable reason he pulled a thread and unraveled the back of her cashmere cardigan. From then on they were high school sweethearts and married once she graduated.
It wasn’t long thereafter that her first child was born; Eddie & Sandra had three kids—Troy, Julie, & Travis.
Under Eddie’s tutelage she developed a passion for hunting and fishing. Sandra was a natural on the water and made the Broussard camp at Calcasieu Lake a second home. Her life at the lake revolved around her children and their friends–there was rarely an empty bunk. She loved Big Lake, loved the shrimp boat, and loved fishing. And when the fish weren’t biting she was perched atop the roof of the boat catching a tan.
1977, Broussard-Cooper Family Vacation in Arkansas, Troy, Deanna, Eddie, Lynn, Sandra, Julie, Marion, Frank, & Travis
Countless weekends and holidays were spent at the lake with lifelong pals Lynn & Marion Cooper. Julie, Travis, and I grew up interchangeable with Deanna & Frank Cooper.
Incalculable Broussard-Cooper family vacations were forged from outdoor activities, whether a fishing trip to Toledo Bend or the nine of us in a van trekking across states (a la Clark & Ellen Grizwald) to various campgrounds and fishing holes. I recall that “Dribbling Springs” didn’t turn out to be nearly as fancy as it sounded… but we had fun nonetheless.
Sandra was a member of Jeff Davis Country Club though was rarely seen there. Her style was casual and more at ease hostessing barbeques, fish fries, or crab boils. And she always had a bevy of kids at any event, the more the merrier with her.
Sandra Prather Broussard, 1946 – 2015
In the 1970s Sandra transformed her talent for baton twirling into a successful business—the Sandra Broussard School of Twirl was born. Over the years she instructed hundreds of girls from Jeff Davis Parish. And her students competed across the state. But not only did the young ladies learn to twirl a baton but they were also schooled in dance, poise, grace, fitness, and confidence.
Sandra added a large room onto the house with 18 foot ceilings for high throws called the Baton Room. Dozens of young ladies came and went from the Broussard home daily. But growing up we also used the space for other purposes from decorating cars for the Homecoming Parade to hosting dance parties, and Sandra was in the middle of it all.
Her involvement with twirling and dancing competitions segued to beauty pageants. Thousands of children and teenagers participated in the many pageants that she produced including Miss Merry Christmas, L’Acadiana Girl, and Miss Jennings. And she coached many of her students as they went on to larger state and even national pageant competitions.
1988, Sandra Broussard & Sue Houssiere in the Jennings Daily News
In the 1980s Eddie & Sandra along with George & Sue Houssiere co-founded the Animal Watch Foundation. The organization worked toward two main objectives: updating pound facilities and curbing the number of euthanized animals by instituting an aggressive adoption policy with a goal toward a no kill shelter.
In the summer of 1988 a life changing incident befell all of us, but especially Sandra. While driving the long straight Hebert’s Camp Road that connected our property to Old Pasture Road she swerved to avoid a dog resulting in a crash that almost ended her life. Her sporty BMW flipped from one side of the road to the other before smashing into a culvert, coming to rest upside-down and submerged.
1988, Julie Broussard at the wrecker yard surveying the damage on Mother’s BMW.
Sandra suffered internal injuries and broke multiple bones, including her neck.
Based on her prognosis she would never walk again. She was transported to Dallas for numerous surgeries and rehabilitation. Remarkably through hard work, dedication, and her can do attitude she was able to walk out of the hospital within a few months.
Her recovery seemed astonishing but was far from complete. Things changed…
1988, Marion & Lynn Cooper with Eddie & Sandra Broussard celebrating Mother’s release from the hospital
With loss of dexterity in her hands she could no longer play the piano or twirl a baton.
She no longer had the energy to keep up her work with AWF, and she didn’t have the heart to recover emotionally from the dogs she could not save. She passed the reins of her foundation on to new leadership.
Other things changed too. After a series of particularly contentious court battles Eddie & Sandra were divorced. She left the home on Nezpique that she had known all of her life and moved from Houston to Tallahassee to New Orleans—all three relocations keeping up with Julie’s family, especially for the grandchildren Cameron and Beau.
1991, Troy, Sandra, Travis, and Julie Broussard
It was also during this time that she suffered a second broken neck requiring more surgeries and rehabilitation. For the second time she found herself in halo traction.
The one thing that never changed was her love and devotion for her family.
In recent years she struggled more frequently with physical issues and neurological difficulties undoubtedly linked to the devastating wreck so many years before. For the past couple years she resided in an assisted living center.
Sandra passed away too soon on May 26th, 2015. After a brief yet poignant service at Miguez Funeral Home she was laid to rest next to her parents in Jennings’ Greenwood Cemetery. She will certainly be remembered as an involved mother, an advocate for animals, and the quintessential southern belle.
2013, meeting Delta Dawn
Julie Broussard Boggio, married to Bob Boggio of New Orleans, currently resides in Houston. They have two children, Cameron and Beau Boggio whom Sandra absolutely adored.
Julie adds:
I am thankful to have had such a close and loving relationship with my mom. My many treasured memories of her will keep us close until we meet again. I close my eyes and see her bright smile, hear her sweet voice, and feel her tender love.
She quietly endured the many challenges life gave her with much determination. Her life was an amazing journey of love, generosity, laughter, and bravery.
Travis Broussard resides in Jennings with his fiancé Crystal Walker of Morgan City and daughter Skye Aucoin.
1960, Sandra, Charlotte, and Mrs. Prather
Sandra’s little sister Charlotte Prather who married Billy Ramagost of White Castle, has two children: Paul Ramagost of Tomball, Texas, and Beth Letulier, wife of Brandon Letulier, living in Lafayette with their daughter Lauren.
Charlotte contributes:
Sandra was the best sister and wonderful friend to me. Her personality was contagious and everyone who knew her was drawn to her and loved her. She was a great mother and grandmother who always wanted to take care of her family. She was a great Aunt to my children, Paul and Beth, and to my granddaughter Lauren.
Sandra will always be in my heart and memories. She is greatly missed; but I know that she is not suffering anymore.
2014, Paul Ramagost, Beth and Lauren Letulier, and Sandra Broussard
Click onto the pictures in this tribute to see them in greater detail.
And on behalf of Julie and Travis we thank family and friends for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time in our lives.
We invite you to communicate your thoughts or memories in the comments section at the bottom of this page…
Link: The Jennings Daily News – obituary for Sandra Prather Broussard
Thank you so much for this post! It is so true that your mom left a memorable mark on so many. I was one of the lucky ones whom she nurtured and delighted through baton twirling, pageants and best of all, being Julie’s friend. I spent countless hours feeling part of Mrs. Sandra’s family, and I am blessed for having been there. She was truly and uniquely wonderful. 🙂
Thank you for posting this so that we can remember things that she was involved in and to recall that beautiful smile. I am 11 years younger than her but knew her well. My brother was friends with Eddie and my parents were friends with the Prathers. I remember visiting at their house and how friendly Sandra was then and through my adulthood. She always had a smile and her personality was contagious! I have been gone from Jennings for over 8 years but I can still feel the warmth that she shared. I’m very sorry for your loss. She was truly a GEM!
What a beautiful tribute to your mother!!! I will always remember that beautiful smile & that laughter that just warmed you to your toes. Will always remember & cherish the times I shared with her and Marilyn Miller Mendoza running around Jennings. Also the times shared with her parents at their home. The doors & kitchen table were always opened to all. RIP my dear friend!!!
You done good Troy!😁. What a nice tribute When we all get together again one day… What a party that will be. I am sure Dad and Sandra are already dancing together in heaven! Love ya!
Thank You so very much for this inspiring tribute to such a wonderful person. We have had the pleasure of getting to know her son Travis through employment , he must resignate the beauty of his mother because he is one of the most delightful people you could ever meet and get to know. He is so genuine and kind to all his peers and friends ,these are qualities that he must have received by the example of his loving parent. I knew Sandra only briefly but we are having the opportunity to know her son and in a very meaningful way getting to know her through his example. I know that it must be very difficult for her children to go on with life without her but they are keeping her so very much alive with the lives that they are living every day and the way that they present themselves. May God Bless them and we Thank God for sending Travis Broussard into our lives. Susan and Archie Smith
Troy,
This is a beautiful tribute to your Mom. She was a wonderful lady! I am blessed for having known her. Love you!
Sandra was a big part of my life. She taught me baton years ago. She always made me feel special in her special way. I had not heard she passed away….so reading your tribute was nice. I’ll always cherish that sweet classy lady!
Tina
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt memories of you mother. I remember Sandy well as being a vibrate, sweet, high school girl. Although she was a bit older than me, I certainly remember her kind spirit and her sweet smile. I was so saddened to hear of her passing. I had no idea of her struggles in life, but I know she survived with courage. I am sure our Lord met her and said “Well done good and faithful servant”.
What a lovely tribute to your mother! I’m sorry to say that I’d not heard of your loss, or I would have sought you out to give you a hug and a lot of bad advice. My condolence to your family.
Nice ,troy