Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....GASPARD, HELEN CRUSE July 8, 2014
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Gina Brown rootsgirl36@gmail.com August 19, 2014, 8:57 pm

News Star World - July 11, 2014
HELEN CRUSE GASPARD

Dr. Helen Cruse Gaspard passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on 
Tuesday, July 8, 2014, after a brief illness. A funeral mass will be held at 
St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Poplarville, Mississippi, on Friday, July 11, 
2014, at 10 AM. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday, July 10th from 6-
9PM with a rosary at 7:30PM.

Dr. Gaspard was born on February 3, 1935, in Monroe, LA. She graduated from 
Neville High School where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She earned her 
bachelor's and master's degree in education from Northeast Louisiana 
University (now ULM). She worked on her doctorate at the University of 
Southern Mississippi and upon completion, she became the 1st teacher to ever 
earn a doctorate in the Jefferson Parish school system.

Dr. Gaspard was an outstanding educator and her efforts and determination 
positively affected students throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. She was a 
founder of the special education program for Louisiana. She was a lifelong 
champion of the importance and value of education in a child's life, spending 
many hours volunteering at schools even after retirement. Throughout her 
career, positions she held included elementary teacher, supervisor of student 
teaching, principal, special education coordinator, consultant and school 
board member.

Not only did Dr. Gaspard have an unbelievable work ethic, she had a generous 
heart and gave unselfishly to many causes including the
American Cancer Society
, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Pearl River County Nursing Home Auxiliary, and 
Meals on Wheels.

Her generosity has left many footprints over the community of Poplarville as 
she was involved in Women's Club, master gardener in the garden club, 
committee member for the inaugural Blueberry Jubilee, and feature writer for 
the Poplarville Democrat. She was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of 
Commerce in 2003.

Despite her many achievements, her greatest devotion was to her church and 
family. At church, Dr. Gaspard served on the finance committee, parish 
council, and was a eucharistic minister. Her family will lovingly remember her 
as a wonderful mom and grandmother. She will be remembered for her Christmas 
brandy cakes and many gourmet meals, exposing her family to many interesting 
places and cultures. She and her family traveled extensively throughout North 
America and her family will treasure fond memories from those trips. But most 
of all, she will be remembered for her courageous, fighting spirit and 
champion of the importance of education.

Dr. Gaspard was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sherman Joseph 
Gaspard, Sr. and her parents William and Annie Cruse.

She is survived by her children: Sandy Grubbs (Mark), Alex Sikes (Lyndsey), 
and Sherman Gaspard, Jr. (Jan). Step children: Sue Flores, Kirby Gaspard 
(Becky), and Donna Hembree. Grandchildren: Graham and Caroline Grubbs, 
Ashleigh Sikes, Dade, Kessley, Stony and Xander Gaspard. Step grandchildren: 
Ryan and Brent Williams, Raegan Sampe (Ryan), Lindsey, Evan and Emily Gaspard 
plus 6 step great grandchildren.

Her sister, Evelyn Blanchard (John); brother William "Bill" Cruse (Lois Anne); 
niece, Vanessa LeGaux; nephews, Coy and Clay Cruse and her special friend, Dr. 
Ed Joubert.

Pallbearers are Alex Sikes, Sherman Gaspard, Jr., Kirby Gaspard, Mark Grubbs, 
Graham Grubbs and Dade Gaspard. Honorary pall bearers are Dr. Ed Joubert, 
Richard Sharp, Dr. Sam Leische, Reggie Savoy, and David Martin.

The family would like to thank Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg, MS, 
especially Dr. George Azar and Dr. Kurt Bruckmeier and a host of critical care 
nurses for their exceptional and compassionate care.


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