Neelis William Braud was born on February 9, 1927 on Cornerview Road in Gonzales, Louisiana. He peacefully passed away in his sleep on October 25, 2024.
He attended Dutchtown High School in Prairieville, Louisiana and helped his father farm strawberries as he grew up.
When World War II began, he was still too young to enlist so he joined the Merchant Marines and became a Helmsman. Having endured high seas on several trips, decided to join the army for the remainder of his volunteer duty. While in the Army, he met Bernice Patterson and married in 1948. He was married for 72 years to Bernice. He began working for the National Cash Register Company and worked for them for 38 years. While residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he was a boy scout leader, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus, and American Legion. In 1981, Neelis and Bernice moved from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Sylvania, Alabama where he became a gentleman farmer.
He loved to fish with Bernice and enjoyed the fruits of his labor that his garden produced.
While living in Sylvania, Alabama, Neelis supervised the building of the new church, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. He spent 2 years supervising and advising the builders and parish priest.
Neelis is preceded in death by his parents, Emile and Hazel Braud; his wife Bernice; his son David; his brothers Shelton, Leon; his sisters Alvern, Robbie, Zilphia, and Lois.
He is survived by his children Neal Michael (Carolyn), Janet Garrett (Danny), Timothy (Ruth), Patrick (Eleanor), Daniel (Mary), and daughter-in-law Karen Braud. He is also survived by multiple grandchildren, as well as multiple great-grandchildren.
For the last 3 years Neelis has been a resident of Williamsburg Assisted Living and the family is grateful to the staff for the care they have shown.
There will be a visitation on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church from 10:30am to 12pm with a mass starting at 12pm. Burial will follow at Louisiana National in Zachary at 2pm.
Following the burial, family wishes to invite family and friends to join together at South Plains Food Company (1605 Mt. Pleasant, Zachary Rd., Zachary LA 70791).
