Wilson "Tootie" Broussard

Wilson “Tootie” Broussard Jr. of Vancleave, MS passed peacefully in the loving presence of his children and their spouses on June 24, 2013, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born on September 24, 1949 in Biloxi to the late Wilson “Neg” & Wilda Broussard, he is survived by his children, Lisa (Michael) Mudgett and Wilson “Trey” (Connie) Broussard, his sister, Tawana (Grady) Forehand, his brothers, Charles “Duke” (Cleo) Broussard, Jerry Broussard, and Chris (Gay) Broussard. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Thomas Mudgett, Alicia (Eric) Lafayette, Deiadra (Paul) Verdin, Andrew (Bridget) Mudgett, Zachary (Michelle) Beaugez, Spenser Roberts, and his great-grandchildren, Eric Jr., Mia, Elijah, Paul Ryan, Kya, Cambria, Bella, Kennedy, and the soon-to-arrive, Azlyn. He is also survived by his beloved furbabies, Marcel & Louie, and a host of cousins, friends, nieces, and nephews. Tootie was a native son of Biloxi who grew up on The Point. He loved everything about coastal life, most of all, the fishing and the nearly year round flip-flop weather. He recently retired from the Jackson County School District, where he worked as Custodian both at St. Martin East and at the WINGS center. He loved working at the schools and enjoyed the friendships he made there with the teachers, but more importantly, he loved going to work each day to see the smiling faces of all the children. Tootie was a man that loved to experience all that life had to offer, whether it be vacation adventures, eating at new restaurants, growing tomatoes, card games with friends, soaking up knowledge through reading or documentaries, or just exploring the beauty of nature. He loved watching old westerns on TV, going to museums, the zoo, and even enjoyed trips to Disney World and the circus, which always made him feel like a kid again. If you would like to honor his memory, go on an adventure, take time to smell the flowers, eat at a restaurant you’ve never been to before, or sit on the beach and watch the birds go by. The Broussard family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, & staff at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, Ocean Springs Hospital, and Target Pharmacy in D’Iberville for their kindness and compassion during Tootie’s battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to American Cancer Society, Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge, 2609 River Rd, New Orleans, LA 70121 504-219-2200, 1-800-227-2345. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville. Family & friends may visit beginning at 10 am at the church, and then again at the family home of his daughter after Mass. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.