Carol Bourgoyne Roberts passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 18, just hours following her stage participation with the Baton Rouge Chorus of Sweet Adelines. Singing was her greatest passion and it could be said her life ended on a pitch perfect note. Since 1978 she sang with choruses in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Houston, Katy, Richmond and New Orleans, and was recipient of international awards.
Carol was a native of Baton Rouge and 1971 graduate of Istrouma High School where she sang with the group The Chippewa Exit. She was also a gifted artist and artisan. In 1995 she sustained and survived a diagnosis of sudden death syndrome. Her miraculous and hard fought recovery from a traumatic brain injury was enough to enjoy a full life despite some lingering disabilities and memory loss. In January she ran a half marathon in the Louisiana Marathon on her 70th birthday.
She was proud of her heritage as the daughter of Jerry (Geraldine) Schuebel who grew up amidst hard work on a Wisconsin dairy farm and Red (Clifford) Bourgoyne who was raised a genteel Cajun gentleman in Plaquemine.
Carol was a dutiful, caring homemaker and family loyalist in every sense, and a trusted friend. She was predeceased by her parents. And she is survived by her daughters and son-in-law Amy and Terry Nelson of Saint Amant and Andrea Broussard of Austin, TX, and son and daughter-in-law Chad and Jezzi Galland of Katy, TX; 11 grandchildren who call her Honey; sisters Barbara Bovard, Karen Drinkwater and Yvonne Thomas of Baton Rouge; and brothers Cliff Bourgoyne (Rena) of Walker and Roger Bourgoyne of Plaquemine; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her life will be fondly and prayerfully celebrated on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Rabenhorst East Funeral Home, 11000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. Visiting will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m.; a social repast will immediately follow the service.
