Bernice Broz

Bernice Kathrine (Liebscher) Broz of West Columbia, Texas, passed away July 15, 2020 at the S.P.J.S.T. Senior Living Community in Needville. She was 96.

So ended a life of unfailing love and devotion to the pursuit of happiness for her family, her church and her community.

Born Nov. 29, 1923 in Oldenburg, Texas, Mrs. Broz was the oldest of six children to Benny and Clara Hartman Liebscher. She attended Walhalla School through the eighth grade, where she was an eager student and a proud member of a championship volleyball team.

She left home at 16 years old to work in LaGrange, where she held several positions, most notably one as cook in the jail run by infamous Sheriff T.J. “Jim” Flournoy. Later, she moved to Houston, where she worked at a supply warehouse, and then to Damon, where she staffed a drug store counter and concluded – with all due humility – that she made “the best phosphates.”

It was in that last position that she met a young man who had recently completed his military service.

Joseph James Broz captured her heart and held it for eternity. They were married Nov. 22, 1947 and soon after settled into a home on Loggins Drive in West Columbia, where they raised three children and established themselves as fixtures of the community. They were founding members of St. John’s Catholic Church, active in the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, members of the KJZT and regulars at weekend dances and church bazaars throughout the region.

Accompanied by their children and other family members the couple traversed the country with annual two-week summer vacations.

For years, Mrs. Broz provided day care services in her home and in so doing influenced generations of the town’s children. Along with other members of the church’s Altar Guild, she contributed countless cakes to bake sales and bazaars. In her later years, she spent many mornings at McDonald’s interacting with people of all ages.

Although her formal schooling was cut short, she never stopped learning. She was an avid consumer of news on everything from local events to world affairs yet was equally passionate about professional wrestling and had a true affinity for John Cena, who encouraged his supporters to “never give up.” She lived that mantra all the way to her final moments.

Mrs. Broz was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers, Benjamin (Buddy) and Aubrey (Digger), sister, Marciel Bailey, and grandchildren, Davin Garrett and Christopher Tyler Broz.

She is survived by her brother, Aurelius (Preacher) Liebscher of Brazoria; her sister, Vallie Teykl of Needville; her children, Ronnie Broz (wife Linda) of Canyon Lake, Kathy Lovett (Doug Thompson) of Pflugerville and Tammy Boclair (husband David) of Nashville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Sarah Broz, Jared Broz, Stefan Broz (mother Rose Anne Holman), and Josh Lovett; great-granddaughter, Ashlyn Meik-Broz; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Funeral mass will be held 10:00 am Saturday, July 18, 2020 at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in West Columbia with Father Preston Quintela officiating. Burial will follow at Damon Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 17, 2020 at C. T. Baker & Sons Funeral Home in West Columbia from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a rosary being recited at 7:00 pm.