Obituary of Jacqueline Montgomery

Jacquelyn Jones was born February 28, 1943 to George W. Jones Jr. and Madessa Gafford in Spearsville LA.  She was born at the home of  her grandparents,  Tobie and Rachel Gafford in Pleasant Hill Community. She attended school in Bernice LA, Fuller Elementary in Chicago, Illinois, Elliot High School in Bernice, Westside High School Lillie, LA and later Grambling College, in Grambling, LA, where she majored in Business Administration.  She left college before graduation to marry Donald Montgomery who had joined the Army and was headed for Vietnam.  To this union two sons were born.  Brandon Montgomery was born in military hospital in Augsburg, Germany; and Jarrod Montgomery was born at Fort Gordon Georgia.

 She was an honor student, a cheerleader, majorette, a fierce defender on the basketball court,  and second only to her mother in culinary skills!  She joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at an early age.  The rest of us followed her example and continued to attend church in Bernice at New Hopewell, our father’s church on Sundays.  Later,  as adults, we all changed our membership to New Hopewell under the leadership of Rev. E. W. Smith as we returned home to raise our children in Bernice.  

Jackie told Pr. Smith that she would not  make an announcement of her membership change during morning or evening service.  He found us teaching  vacation bible school and suggested that he would hear our desire and accept us that day, and we committed during bible school.  And later our mother, sister Vivian and brother George all became members by moving  their letter from Pleasant Hill to New Hopewell.  We had learned that it was a very common practice for children to join the church of their mother and often remain there for their whole lives, instead of transferring to the fathers church.  When our Dad was ordained Deacon at New Hopewell we believed we had all made the right decision.

Jacquelyn lived her life confident and secure in the knowledge that no one could insist she do things their way.  If she determined that what anyone  expected of her was in conflict with what she thought was right for her or for you,  then her will would be done.  And we all understood that “no” meant “no”.  She might consider listening to what you had to say if you insisted on explaining your position.  But as soon as she asked "What do you think mother would say?”,  the conversation was usually over.   

Our family agrees that she was the best Mother, Sister, Aunt, Friend and confidant for us all.  And we thank God for the blessing of her in all of our lives. 

Cherished by her two sons: Brandon Wardell Montgomery, and Jarrod Parnell Montgomery; seven (7)Grandchildren  Brandon,  Nebresha,  Jalisa, Talia, Layla, Zhane and Kiune; ten (10) Great-GrandchildrenZachary, Marissa, Serena, Landyn, Trenton,  Zha'nya, Jeriya, JerkaydenRaleigh, Mason; and her remaining siblings, Vivian Earl Clark, Gloria Jones Leachman and Iris Lynette Jones.