Martha Jeanne White

Funeral services to be held at Jesus The Good Shephard Catholic Church on June 17 at 10AM with Rev. Jerry Daigle officiating. Interment to follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe, LA.

Jeanne graduated from Manual High School in Peoria, Il in 1944 and immediately enrolled in U.S. Army Cadet Nursing Corp. When the war ended before her nursing program was completed, she still held the desire to be a nurse. Upon moving as a newly married woman to Monroe, she began working at St. Francis hospital in the Obstetrics unit. Till her death, she remembered the name of every child whose birth she was part of.

With the birth of her first child Thomas, she set aside her nursing career to devote herself to her family that ultimately included two other sons, Steven and Richard.

Jeanne had a strong creative streak. She was master at turning cloth into wonderful clothes for both women and men. She started a seamstress business in her home where she created custom dresses and provided alterations for local dress shops.

She was also talented in the kitchen. For many years, she designed and created beautiful cakes and other treats for occasions from weddings to family gatherings.

One of Jeanne’s great legacies was her devotion to serving others. She is remembered for her kind heart and humble service to numerous local organizations including Home Demonstration Club, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and Agape Northeast Hospice. At Agape Northwest Hospice, she was honored with the volunteer of the year award in 2007.

A lifelong Roman Catholic, Jeanne was involved in starting two parishes in Monroe, Our Lady of Fatima and Jesus the Good Shephard. Since 1958, she has been involved in many areas of volunteer ministry at Good Shephard that continued until her death. These include altar society, Eucharistic minister, Lector, and coordinated the bereavement ministry. From many years, she hosted a weekly bible study program in her home. She was recognized in 1994 with the Diocese of Shreveport Diocesan medal for her service and contributions.

Jeanne did take out to relax and enjoyed playing Pokeno with friend in a number of groups over the years.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her devoted husband of over fifty years, Orrie, brother, Robert Miller, son Steven White and granddaughter Staci Shackleford.

She is survived by her sons Thomas (Viroqua, WI) wife Beth and Richard (San Jose, CA) husband Pom , daughter-in-law, Sherry White (Viroqua, WI) and daughter-in-law, Jimie Philips (Columbus, MS). Jeanne has three grandsons, Seth White (Springfield, MO) partner Michelle Nimmo, Michael and Gabriel White (Viroqua, WI) and one granddaughter, Laura Starr (Los Gatos, CA). Other survivors include two great-grandsons, Vincent and Rigel Starr (Los Gatos, CA).

Jeanne is also survived by her brother James Miller and wife Pat (Peoria, Il) ,brother-in-law, Terry White (Eulis, TX) sisters-in-law, Pat White and Emily White of Austin, TX. Jeanne’s other survivors include nieces Kathy Miller (Normal IL), Susan Miller (Peoria, IL), Mendi West (Austin, TX) and Jennifer Kramer (Austin, TX). Her surviving nephews are Michael Miller (Peoria, IL), Eric White (Austin, TX) and Daniel White (Austin, TX).

Jeanne will be missed not only by her family but her many friends from Jesus the Good Shephard and Our Lady of Fatima parishes and her other volunteer organizations.

Pallbearers are Joey Feltri, Seth White, Greg Smith, Tyler Smith and Hunter Smith.

A visitation will be held from 4 PM to 7 PM on Tuesday, June 16 at Mulhern Funeral Home 2308 Sterlington Rd, Monroe, La.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Jesus the Good Shephard Church (2510 Emerson Street, Monroe, La 71201 or 318.325.7549) or to a charity of your choosing.

The family also expresses is thanks and gratitude to the staff at St. Francis Medical Center who providing care to Jeanne as she transitioned from this life.