Jackie Lemoyne Russell Thompson

Jackie Lemoyne Russell Thompson, age 86, passed away May 28, 2023, peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Highland Baptist Church, June 1, 2023, at 10:00 A.M.  Visitation will be held May 31, 2023, from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the church.   Interment will follow at Kilpatrick Serenity Gardens in West Monroe.

Jackie was born July 20, 1936, in West Monroe, Louisiana to Ann Russell Szkatulski and Jack Russell.  She spent her childhood in West Monroe and made many memories that she carried with her throughout life. She attended Ouachita High School but moved her senior year and graduated from Baton Rouge High. After graduation, she attended Louisiana State University where she met her husband and the love of her life, Wade Thompson. It was on the LSU campus and Tiger stadium where they started their long life of making memories with friends and family.

Jackie spent her life serving others - her family, her friends, and her community.  In the 1960’s she worked tirelessly as a member and officer on committees and in parent organizations promoting benefits and rights for special needs individuals. She was a part of a trailblazing group.  She worked at G.B. Cooley for over 30 years and retired as the records supervisor. During that time, she touched the lives of many special needs individuals and their families.  As a member of the Human Rights Committee, she continued this advocacy until shortly before her death.

Jackie loved her family unconditionally.  Cooking Sunday dinners, holidays, and extended family functions, she never failed to show comfort, love, and support for each of them.  She always placed an importance on making memories and carrying out traditions. Her lessons will live on for many generations in the hearts of her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. 

Jackie loved people.  She loved her church, her church family, and her wonderful Sunday school class.  She enjoyed many groups of friends including her weekly card playing buddies, Carolyn, Bobbie, Robbie and Stella, her three Pokeno groups, as well as many other groups and activities.

Jackie Thompson loved life.  She lived it fully. She leaves all who knew her with her inspiration to live, love, and make the most of every opportunity. 

Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Wade Thompson; son, Ernest Thompson; mother, Ann Russell Szkatulski; father, Jack Morris Russell; and stepfather, Benjamin Szkatulski.  She is survived by her daughters, Kathy George and husband, Marty, Charmie McGuffee and husband Todd,  Alicia Minter and husband Joel; grandchildren, Erin Easterling, Daniel George, Matthew George, Andrew McGuffee, Sam McGuffee, Hannah Zaunbrecher, Jewell McGuffee, Ben Minter, Rachel Willis, and Sarah Ashley, and 17 great grandchildren; sister, Suzanne Aucoin; brother, Richard Szkatulski and wife, Lou; special cousin, Don Russell and wife, Lennie; sisters-in-law, Belva Ryan and Carolyn Melder, brother-in-law, Frank Singletary.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Daniel George, Matthew George, Andrew McGuffee, Sam McGuffee, Ben Minter, and grandsons-in-law, Craig Easterling, Cody Zaunbrecher, Colby Ashley, and Chris Willis.

Memorials may be made to Family & Friends of G.B. Cooley, 210 DuPont Drive, West Monroe, LA 71291 or ARCO, 901 North 4th Street, Monroe, LA 71201.