Edward Martin Jacquet

Posted Friday, October 2, 2009

Edward Martin Jacquet, 73, a native and resident of Morgan City, La., departed this life Monday, Sept. 28, at Teche Regional Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Betty; one daughter, Daphne; one grandson, Marlon; two sisters-in-law, Marva Madise and her husband Whitney, and Patricia Hawkins and her husband Vernon; one brother-in-law, Rudolph Jones; and many nieces and nephews.

Edward, affectionately known as “Doc,” was born March 29, 1936, in Morgan City. He was the only child of the late Anola Marie Lewis Jacquet and Dr. Edward Fredrick Jacquet. During his formative years, he attended public school in Morgan City. He completed formal elementary and high school education in boarding school. From 1949-53, Edward attended Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, N.C. Upon graduation from Palmer, he entered Lincoln University in Lincoln University, Pa. He matriculated in 1957, having earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology with minors in Social Studies and Latin. In 1958 Edward attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and received his Teaching Certification. He and Betty Ann Banks were united in holy matrimony at Holy Eucharist Church on June 15, 1958. To this union a daughter, Daphne Ann, was born. A committed educator, he began his career in 1959 in the St. Mary Parish Public School System as a biology instructor at Willow Street School in Franklin, La. He served in the United States Army from 1960-62, stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. During 1968 and the summer of 1969, Edward attended the University of Arizona at Tucson, Ariz., where he pursued a Masters Degree in Biology. He transferred to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La., and completed his studies for Masters of Education in 1971. Additionally, he earned 30-plus hours at Nicholls in 1972. Edward served as principal at Verdunville Elementary in 1970. From 1971-82, he was principal at Hattie Watts Elementary School in Patterson, La. In 1982 he received a promotion to the position of Supervisor of Mathematics and Science for St. Mary Parish. Edward again was promoted as Director of Transportation and Child Welfare for St. Mary Parish and served in that capacity from 1987-91, at which time he retired. Edward was extremely involved in his community and served as a board member of Lakewood Hospital (now Teche Regional Medical Center) in Morgan City from 1970-90. He is a past board member of the Morgan City Chamber of Commerce, Substance Abuse of Morgan City, and Catholic Charities of Houma, La. He served on the Board of Directors of St. Mary Outreach for more than 10 years. He was a member of the St. Anthony Society, Knights of Columbus and Parish Council four times. Edward was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity for more than 46 years. He was also a past member of the W.H. Ennis Elks Lodge. An active and life-long parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morgan City, he served as an usher and Eucharistic minister until his health failed. Edward worked for many years as an assistant in the religious program for youngsters in grades 9-11 at Sacred Heart. After retirement, he re-entered the work force as an instructor for Community Action Agency’s JAG program. Edward loved his church and family and cherished his grandson, Marlon Edward. Ed loved good food, a good joke and social gatherings. He will be remembered for the annual Super Bowl party, Good Friday crawfish boil, Christmas Eve gumbo and much, much more. Edward will be lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morgan City with tributes and a rosary beginning at 10 a.m. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. with burial at Morgan City Cemetery. The East St. Mary Veterans Funeral Squad will perform a service at graveside.

Jones Funeral Home in Morgan City is in charge of the arrangements.