Anna Barras Bernard

BROUSSARD-Funeral services will be held at a 2:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Broussard for Anna Barras Bernard, 98, who died very peacefully at her home Thursday, February 21, 2008. Reverend Peter Emusa, Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, will be Celebrant of the Mass and conduct the funeral services. Interment will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Broussard. Anna was born on Friday, August 13, 1909 in Catahoula, LA, the fourth child of Charles and Anita Moreau Barras. Her family moved to Youngsville where she went to Youngsville High School and played basketball on the girls' team. She loved music and dancing, and met the love of her life, Felix Bernard at a house dance. Felix was a carpenter with his father, Adonis, in Broussard, LA. After Anna and Felix married January 17, 1932, they moved to Broussard where Felix built both of their homes, and they lived there for the rest of their lives. Their children, Dorothy and Harvey, went to St. Cecilia where Anna was an active PTA member, band parent, played enthusiastically in Mother-Daughter Basketball games, sewed for the nuns, helped every year with the Fair, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Ladies Altar Society. Anna (Mom, as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her) was an astonishingly energetic, humorous and delightful person who charmed everyone who met her. Laughing, she would say one of the secrets to her long life and health was a diet of chocolate chip cookies and Pepsi. She and Felix (Pop) adored their grandchildren, and among innumerable happy memories we have of her is our watching Saturday morning cartoons at her house and being served (in the foldout couch bed!) homemade 'pommes frites' and ice-cold 6oz. cokes! Mom had an extraordinary curiosity about people and the world, and she lived actively and independently in the home Felix built, until the end. We are all so grateful for her love and to have been a part of her life. Survivors include her son, Harvey Charles Bernard and wife, Irene Landry Bernard of Lafayette; her daughter, Dorothy Bernard Meriwether and husband, John Meriwether of Grand Coteau; grandchildren, John Bernard and wife, Michelle of Lafayette, Joey Bernard and wife, Jeannie of Florida, Janice Moss and husband, Scott of Lafayette, Judith Meriwether of Grand Coteau, Philip Gould of Lafayette, father of Colin and Daniel, Chris Meriwether and wife, Teri of Kerrville, TX, Josi Ortte and husband, Ricky of Thibodeaux, Jacki Meriwether and husband, Barney Rees of New Orleans; great-grandchildren, Rachel Meriwether, Colin Gould, Daniel Gould, Maddi Ortte, Anna Rees, Joshua Bernard, Haley Moss, Patrick Rees, Amber Moss, Lily Ortte, and Andrew Moss; sister, Edith Barras Breaux; sisters-in-law, Pauline Bernard Langlinais, Euna Bernard Hebert, and Irma Bernard; brother-in-law, Felix Fremin; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sweet husband of 70 years, Felix Louis Bernard; her parents; brothers, Preston, Constant, Charles, and Rudolph; sisters, Alice Dronet, and Ada Fremin; and a great-grandson, John Courtney Meriwether. The family wishes to extend thanks to Darnell Buford, Annette Cashat and Margaret for their loving and caring services. Also, we wish to thank Louisiana Hospice Service, Suzanne Stelly and her helpful staff. The family requests that visitation be observed on Saturday from 8:00 am until the time of the funeral service in the Delhomme Broussard Funeral Home. A rosary will be prayed by the Ladies' Altar Society at 12:30 pm Pallbearers will be Chris Meriwether, John Bernard, Joey Bernard, Colin Gould, Daniel Gould and Joshua Bernard. Personal condolences may be sent to the Bernard family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 111 N. Washington, Broussard is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Anna Barras Bernard

August 13, 1909 - February 21, 2008