Herlene June Broussard, 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. 

June was born in Basile, La. on Dec. 7, 1929 to Desbra and Media Fontenot Manuel. She was orphaned at the age of 5 and was lovingly raised by her maternal aunt, Lydia and, then husband, Quincy Davis.  June was a graduate of Basile High School where she won a women’s state basketball title and was crowned Basile High School’s first homecoming queen in 1947.

At the age of 17, after a  three month courtship, she married JR Broussard on Jul. 22, 1947. For 49 years they made their home in Lake Charles, La. and raised three beautiful children.  Over the years, one of their favorite pastimes was to travel around the south to dance the two-step, where they often cleared the dance floor while others stepped aside in admiration to watch them dance.  She was a faithful, devoted member of the catholic church and will long be remembered as a true southern wife, mother and friend.  

Traveling was one of her true loves, whether it was supporting her husband chasing a world championship cutting horse buckle, successfully, or jet setting around the world to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and Europe, just to name a few.  But nothing filled her heart more than to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.  She not only filled your heart with love and humor, but filled your stomach as well, if it was with her rice and gravy, cornbread dressing or pork roast, she will truly be missed around the holiday table!

June is survived by her three children, Jade Walker, Karen Wilson and Kevin Broussard (Celia); five grandchildren, Butch Bailey (Cindy), Nicole Walker Rodericks (Ryan), Renee Broussard Grigus (Jimmy), John Broussard (Lydia), and Amelia Wilson; eight great-grandchildren; three nieces; one nephew; and her loving friend and family member, Cathy Broussard Hodges, who cared for June over her last years with boundless grace and compassion.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, JR Broussard; her sisters, Elsie (Davis) Manuel and Marjorie (Davis) Fuselier; her brother, Homer Guillory; and her sons-in-law, Ray Walker and Jim Wilson.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heart of Hospice, The Guardian, doctors, and caregivers who cared for June over the last several months.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 3939 Lake St., Lake Charles, La. Father Keith Pellerin will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery, 30250 Liberty Cemetery Rd., Elton, La. under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, La., beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 and continuing until 8 p.m., with a scripture service at 6 p.m. and a rosary being recited at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday morning in the funeral home at 9 a.m. and will continue until leaving in procession to the church for 10 a.m. Mass.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations be made to local Catholic Charities.

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