Clara Belle Higginbotham LeBlanc

Clara Belle Higginbotham LeBlanc Rayne, LA - Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at a 1:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne for Clara Belle Higginbotham LeBlanc, 85, who died Tuesday, May 5, 2026 surrounded by her family at her residence in Rayne. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2, Mausoleum in Rayne, LA. Very Rev. Brent L. Smith, VF, Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Readers will be her granddaughters, Meranda Melancon, Shelby Fuselier and Erin Breaux. Presenting the Offertory will be Emily Arostequi, Sarah Meyer, Lindsey Melancon, Monique and Gabrielle LeBlanc. Clara was a beautician and stay-at-home Mom then worked at LeBlanc's Western Wear and LeBlanc Trailer Sales. She was a member of Catholic Daughters, The Third Order of Mt. Carmel and worked with Engaged Couples, Parish Renewal, RCIA, and frequent cook for Confirmation and St. Joseph's Carpenters Choir/Retreats. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Larry Joseph LeBlanc, daughter, Patricia Granger and spouse Lawrence Granger, three sons, Deacon Barry LeBlanc and spouse Josette LeBlanc, Nolan LeBlanc and spouse Arleen LeBlanc, David LeBlanc and spouse Tammy LeBlanc, 19 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, brother, Robert Higginbotham and spouse Evelyn Higginbotham, sisters-in-law, Ora Higginbotham, Evelyn Higginbotham, godchildren, Paula Green, Christine Benoit, Sammy Higginbotham. Her in-laws raised many foster children, but she was blessed by and especially close to sisters and brothers-in-law, John Joseph Lormond and spouse Carla Sue, Roy Normond, and George Perkins and spouse Lynn. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Mary LeBlanc, parents, Sam and Beatrice Barousse Higginbotham, in-laws, Lynn and Emily LeBlanc, sisters, Ester Daigle and spouse Raymond Daigle, Wilda Whittaker and spouse Charles Whittaker, Mattie Stanford and spouse Norman Stanford, brothers, Ward Higginbotham and spouse Yola Higginbotham, William Higginbotham and spouse Hazel Higginbotham, Wilson Higginbotham, Hamiel Higginbotham and spouse Belle Higginbotham, Carl Higginbotham and spouse Dovie Higginbotham, sisters-in-law, Lorraine Higginbotham and Celina Normand. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Nick, Jeremy, Brendan, Andrew, K.C. Granger, Kyle, Brody, Derek, Cody, Luke, Zachary LeBlanc and great grandson, Evan Granger. A Rosary will be prayed Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 6:30 pm in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne. The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. Special thanks to Ursula Hawkins, Germaine Gauthreaux, Mary "Liz" Benoit, Dr. Danielle Duhon and Hospice of Acadiana for the wonderful care and love given to Mrs. Clara and her family. Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141. Gossen Funeral Home, Inc.

Clara Belle Higginbotham LeBlanc

August 5, 1940 - May 5, 2026