Zelma Rae Wilson

Zelma Rae Broussard Wilson was born November 3, 1923 and passed away peacefully February 1, 2016. Zelma was born in Beaumont, Texas to Katy Rae Rial Broussard and Thomas M. Broussard. She lived in New Iberia, Louisiana for a short time and moved back to Beaumont. Zelma attended French High School, where she met her husband Sam H. Wilson. They married in 1942. Throughout their married life, Sam’s military career took them from Texas to South Carolina, Washington State, and Oregon, but Beaumont always remained her home. She and Sam had three sons, Samuel “Sammy” H. Jr, Thomas Eugene “Tommy Gene”, and William “Billy” Kyle, who were a source of great pride throughout her life. Zelma attended Lamar University and was very proud to be pursuing her higher education after raising her family. She then began a career in interior decorating working for Dallas Williams and Broyhill Gallery furniture stores. She spent twenty-seven years in faithful and honorable service to her vocation, retiring in 1999. Zelma also enjoyed sewing, bowling, dancing in the Saturnalia and Carousel dance clubs, and spending time with her family at her beach house, which she and Sam built with their sons. Zelma was a faithful member of Wesley United Methodist Church since 1967, and she dearly loved her Fidelis Sunday school class.

Zelma is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Thomas “Tommy” Broussard, her husband of fifty-four years, and her beloved son Tommy Gene. She is survived by her son Sammy and his wife Catherine, her son Billy and his wife Rose, her eight grandchildren – Stephen Schafer, Sean Wilson and his wife Stephanie, Amy Carroll and her husband Burton, Kyle Wilson and his wife Stefanie, Will Wilson, Ben Wilson, Brandon Wilson and Blake Wilson, and six great-grandchildren – Kaylee, Kameron, Gracie, Tommy, Wayden, and Immanuel. Also surviving Zelma are her sister Dorothy Vercher, her brother George “Bruce” Broussard, her lifelong friend and sister-in-law Joy Fairchild, along with many special nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Zelma spent her final years at Atria Collier Park where she made many friends and enjoyed happy times. Her family is filled with gratitude for the many wonderful people at Collier Park who cared for Zelma while she lived there. In her final days, Zelma was lovingly cared for by Linda McGraw and her staff at YaYa Assisted Living House.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Wesley United Methodist Church, or a special charity of one’s choice.

“Love is patient, love is kind…love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Visitation services will be at Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Friday, February 5 from 4-7 pm. A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Saturday, February 6 at 11 am. Pallbearers are Sean Wilson, Kyle Wilson, Will Wilson, Ben Wilson, Brandon Wilson and Blake Wilson.