Church Point, LA   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church for Mrs. Mattie H. Stanford, 86, who passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:55 PM at Eunice Manor. Fr. Brian Harrington, Pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church will be the Celebrant of the Mass and conduct the burial rite in Bellevue Cemetery.

Mattie was the daughter of the late Mr. Sam Higginbotham and the former Mrs. Beatrice Barousse. Her great grandchildren knew her as "Maw Maw Pickles" due to the many jars of "bread and butter" pickles that were gifted to them through the years. Anyone who has ever been over for lunches or dinners knew that whatever was on the menu was going to be delicious, made with love, care and lots of laughter. She had many gifts but one of her best talents was bringing people together with her cooking. She baked for many years and her joy for life was expressed in her kitchen with her family and friends throughout the generations. Mrs. Stanford was a member of the Ladies Altar Society, the Catholic Daughters and the Hilda Daigle rosary group.

She is survived by five daughters, Stephanie James of Humble, TX, Christine Benoit and husband Paul of Church Point, LA, Jessica Thibodeaux and husband Mike of Church Point, LA, Suzanne Stanford of Sunset, LA and Bridget Fontenot of Bunkie, LA; two sons, Daniel Stanford and wife Belinda of Sunset, LA and Derril Stanford and wife Tess of Church Point, LA; nine grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren; her sister Clara Leblanc and husband Larry of Rayne, LA and her brother, Robert Higginbotham and wife Evelyn of Lafayette, LA. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman Stanford; her son in law, Troy Fontenot; two sisters, Esther Daigle and Wilda Whitaker and five brothers, Ward, William, Wilson, Hamiel and Carl Higginbotham.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Guidry Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 8, from 9:00 AM until the time of the funeral mass at 2:00 PM. A rosary will be recited in the funeral home at 1:00 PM Wednesday by Deacon Barry Leblanc. Personal condolences may be sent to the Stanford family at www.guidryfuneralhome.com . Guidry Funeral Home, 219 N. Broadway St., Church Point, LA is in charge of final arrangements.