Hilda Mae Gaspard

Hilda Mae Gaspard was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 7, 1931, to Joseph Gaspard and Hilda Ely Gaspard. She was the first born of four daughters. Hilda Mae was raised and educated in New Orleans and was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in 1948.

As a teenager, Hilda Mae enjoyed reading and singing with her three younger sisters and her three cousins. They formed a gospel singing group called the Monarch Gospel Singers. They traveled the city singing in local churches and on the radio. Although the sisters moved on to live their separate lives, Hilda Mae had a very close relationship with them all.

Hilda Mae was a strong, intelligent, independent and fearless woman. She worked many years as a mortician’s assistants at a local funeral homes and support the work of the embalmers and funeral director. She later changed careers and became a school chef at Andrew J. Bell Middle School, until she retired after working 30 years. All of the students loved her peanut butter cookies. She was known for her delicious brownies, pound cakes, and bread pudding.

Hilda Mae had many hobbies and enjoined working word puzzles, cooking, sewing, dancing. She took pleasure in these things, but none could compare to the love and devotion she had for caring and attending to her family and pets. She truly loved her family especially her lovely daughter, Thea, and her precious granddaughter, Briana – the apple of her eye.

Hilda Mae was baptized at an early age and, for decades, was a devoted member of the Second Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She served in many departments including, the church choir, and was the church secretary and treasurer.

On July 20, 2012, Hilda Mae went home to be with Lord. She leaves to cherish her memories – Her daughter, Thea Joseph; Granddaughter, Briana McGinnis; son-in-law, Troy Joseph; one brother-in-law, James Green of Los Angeles; 11 nieces, 2 nephews; many great nieces and great nephews, cousins (and a host of other relatives, friends and church family).

Preceded in Death - Parents: Joseph and Hilda Gaspard; Sisters: Lucille Green, Lorraine Young, Angelina Perry; Nephews: Joseph Vaughn and Louis Vaughn