Barbara Brumfield Ryckman

A private family service was held for Barbara Brumfield Ryckman, 79, who passed away peacefully on May 11, 2013, at the River Oaks Retirement Home. Mrs. Ryckman, a resident of Lafayette since 1951, was the daughter of the late Caleb Hilton Brumfield of Lumberton, Mississippi, and Doris Johns Brumfield of Crystal Falls, Michigan. She is survived by her beloved children, William T. Ryckman II, Patrice Fournet Ryckman, Tara Ryckman Callais and Ronnie Paul Callais, Ralph Brumfield Ryckman and Kathy Veron Ryckman; William T. Ryckman I, the father of her children; one sister, Beth Brumfield Clark; nine grandchildren, Ryckman Cleo Callais, Sara Bird Callais, Callie Callais, Mallory Ryckman, Bennett Brumfield Ryckman and Leigh Anne Ryckman, Spencer Crane Ryckman, Quintin Dyer Ryckman, Morgan Tate Ryckman and William Bryant Ryckman and two great grandchildren, Winifred Grace Ryckman and Arie Brumfield Ryckman. Barbara Jean Brumfield Ryckman was born in Columbus, Mississippi on August 29, 1933. She lived the first ten years of her life there before moving to Bogalusa, LA. She was a graduate of Bogalusa High School and then graduated from University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then SLI) in 1955. Upon her graduation, she went to work as an educator for the Lafayette Parish School system, touching the lives of her other children for over 33 years. She taught elementary education at Judice, Scott, Montgomery, Alleman and finally 23 years at Woodvale Elementary. Mrs. Ryckman was involved with several state and local teacher organizations including LEA, NEA, and LPAE during her tenure as an educator. She continued to follow the progress of her former students throughout their lives and she was still in touch with many; a special few who have remained constant fixtures in her life. Upon her retirement, she became a devoted grandmother, quilter and she shared her sewing skills with all in need of a repair, quick costume, or school project. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. The family wishes to thank Dr. Mire, Heart of Hospice and the staff of River Oaks nursing home for the loving care given to Mrs. Ryckman during her illness. Friends wishing to express their sympathy, in lieu of flowers, are asked to consider donations in her memory to Asbury United Methodist Church Youth Ministries, 100 Live Oak BIvd., Lafayette, LA, 70503. Condolences to the family may be sent to 603 Roselawn BIvd, Lafayette, LA, 70503. Arrangements are under the direction of Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette, LA, 70506.

Barbara Brumfield Ryckman

August 29, 1933 - May 11, 2013