ELSIE BROUSSARD CASSELL

ELSIE BROUSSARD CASSELL1 December, 1921 - 25 March, 2010 Elsie Broussard Manuel Gardner Richard Cassell (88) died on Thursday, 25 March, 2010 at home in Houston, Texas from complications of Alzhiemers disease. She was born in Crowley, Louisiana on 1 December, 1921 to Domatilde Abshire Broussard and Lastie Broussard, the seventh of eight children. She was the last surviving member predeceased by her sister Lulu Gardner on 16 February, 2010. Her only daughter TSgt Sherry Ann Gardner died in 1983 while serving with the US Air Force in Germany. Immediate survivors are three sons, Sam Gardner, Jr. of Fairfield, Texas, Bobby Manuel, Sr of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Bradley Manuel of Houston, Texas, eight (8) grand children, seven (7) great grand children and a score of necies, nephews and cousins, many of whom live in the Lake Charles vicinity. She lived most of her life in Lake Charles before moving to Houston, Texas in 1989 to be near her sons. She worked in the dietary department at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital shortly after it opened in the 1950's. She later worked in retail and as a care giver before her move to Houston. Elsie was a child of the depression and had to leave school in the sixth grade to help her siblings and mother run the rice farm after her father was diagnosed with cancer and died shortly thereafter. Years of hardship shaped a personality that was resourceful, creative, and people oriented with finely developed survival skills. She would tackle projects with enthusiasm and master whatever she attempted. She was a talented seamstress, cook, crafter and proudly defined herself as a quilter. She was a volunteer at Harris County Precinct 4 Doss Community Center in Houston and part of a team that made numerous quilts, tote bags, and stuffed animals for distribution to patients at Texas Children's Hospital and other health care facilities in the Houston area. She was an avid gardener and very fond of red amaryllis or any other brightly colored flowers. Her death leaves a great hole in our hearts. A mother is a special angel. There was cremation. A memorial service will be held on Friday, 9 April, 2010 at 6PM in the activity building at Doss Park, 2500 Frick Road, Houston, Texas, 77038 in celebration of a life well lived. She was a wonderful mother and much loved. Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzhiemers Association or to the Texas Woman's University Foundation College of Nursing Scholarship Fund, 6700 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas, 77030.