Jeannette B. Jack

Obituary For Jeannette B. Jack

Across more than a century, Jeannette Batiste Jack, affectionately known as “Big Mommie,” lived a life grounded in faith, centered on family, and expressed through love and service.

Born June 1, 1925, in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, Jeannette was the youngest of fourteen children born to Olivia Bennett Batiste Jackson and Joseph Batiste. Her father died when she was two years old. Her mother later married Lucien Jackson, and the family grew to include another brother and sister. Jeannette grew up on a large family farm surrounded by her brothers and sisters, where everyone had responsibilities. From an early age, she helped cook and clean, washed and ironed clothes, and worked alongside her family on the farm.

Faith was part of Jeannette’s foundation from childhood. Raised in the Baptist church, she was baptized at age nine at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church of Ventress, Louisiana, in the bayou near the church on a cold October day. Her family prayed together, attended church together, and taught her to trust God in all things. She carried that faith with her for more than a century.

Jeannette and Oliver Jack Sr. married in 1943, and together they built a life centered on faith and family. At the time of their marriage, she had not yet completed high school. She later graduated from Capital High School, fulfilling a promise she made to her beloved brother Claiborne. Jeannette and Oliver Sr. became the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, and shared 48 years of marriage.

In February 1949, they moved their young family to Scotlandville, Louisiana, settling into their home on Thelma Street. That house would remain Jeannette’s home and become a gathering place for the generations that followed. It was there that she and Oliver Sr. reared their children, welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren, prayed, celebrated, shared meals, and built a family life that extended far beyond the walls of the house.

After moving to Scotlandville, Jeannette joined Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where she faithfully served as a Deaconess, sang in the choir, served on the Kitchen Committee, participated in the Sisterhood, and attended Baptist Training Union on Sunday afternoons. She loved reading her daily devotions and continued doing so for as long as she was able. Prayer, Scripture, and hymns were woven into her daily life. Among the hymns she treasured was “God Will Take Care of You,” and among the Scriptures meaningful to her were Psalm 90 and John 14.

Jeannette worked at Southern University for more than three decades. She began in the laundry department and later worked in food service, touching the lives of young people through her work before retiring in July 1984. Years later, when her own grandchildren attended Southern University, she prepared lunch for them and welcomed them into her home between classes to eat and rest.

Service was a way of life for Jeannette. She and Oliver Sr. delivered Meals on Wheels and served as Cookie Managers with the Girl Scouts. Her commitment to leadership and service was also reflected in her extensive work with the Order of the Eastern Stars. She received all of her degrees from the Eastern Star to the Roses of Seven Seals. Jeannette was elected Worthy Matron of Stars of Jupiter No. 52. She also served as Grand Most Excellent Rose of Fannie Green College No. 4 Rose of Seven Seals and Grand Matron of the Daughters of the Universal Grand Chapter OES Jurisdiction of Louisiana, holding several Supreme positions during her tenure. Following her term, she was honored with the title of Grand Matron Emeritus. Her leadership extended beyond titles, as she mentored several matrons and shared her wisdom and knowledge gained through her years of service.

Family and hospitality were at the heart of Jeannette’s life. Her home was a place where generations gathered and where family, friends, and members of the community could always find a warm meal. Third Sunday dinners were especially treasured, bringing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together for food and fellowship.

Jeannette often reminded her family that God is their source. It was more than something she said. It was the way she understood her own life. Looking back over the years, she expressed gratitude to God for what He had done and credited Him with bringing her family “from a mighty long way.”

There is a special symmetry in the number fourteen in Jeannette’s story. She was the 14th child born to Olivia and Joseph and lived to see her own family grow to include fourteen great-grandchildren.

Jeannette Batiste Jack was preceded in death by her husband, Oliver Jack Sr.; her daughter, Cherral Ann Jack Horton; her son, Arthur Van Jack Sr.; her parents, Olivia Bennett Batiste Jackson and Joseph Batiste; Lucien Jackson; and her siblings, Arthur Batiste, Israel Batiste, William Batiste, Mumford Batiste, Nolan Batiste, Ulysses Batiste, Claiborne Batiste, Olin Batiste, Lillian Batiste, Gertie Batiste, Uda Batiste Jack, Roy Jackson, and Bernice Jackson.

She leaves to remember and celebrate her life: her two sons, Oliver Jack Jr. (Jacqueline), Arnol Jack; her eight grandchildren, Arthur Van Jack Jr. (Jeanne), Avanelle Jack Jackson, Heather D. Horton, Avery Jack Sr. (Adrienne), Holli Horton Hampton (Carnell), Adia Jack, Ivy V. Jack, Jermaine O. Jack (Krystin); her fourteen great-grandchildren, Jeremy Jack, Azaria Jack, Riyon Jack, Avery Jack Jr., Aaron Jack (Jalisa), Angel Jack, Anthony Jack, Adrian Jack, Jacob Jack, Joshua Jack, Adria Jackson, Nathan Hampton, August Hampton, Carter Jack; and one great-great-grandchild, Dallas. She is also remembered by her extended family, church family, Eastern Star sisters and brothers, friends, and the many others whose lives she touched.

One hundred and one years cannot be contained in dates and milestones. Jeannette’s life is remembered in the family she reared, the generations she nurtured, the meals she prepared and shared, the devotions and prayers, the young people she served, the women she mentored, and the faith she lived before others.

And for the generations who continue the legacy she helped begin, Jeannette left both a foundation and an instruction: God is our source. Live together in love.

Celebration of Life Services

For

Jeannette Batiste Jack

Visitation

Hall’s Celebration Center

9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Visitation

Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church

1414 Sora Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Thursday, September 3, 2026

8:00 am to 9:00 am

Funeral

Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church

1414 Sora Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Thursday, September 3, 2026

9:00 am

Interment

Port Hudson National Cemetery

Zachary, Louisiana