Obituary of JanEtte Meredith

Led by her grandchildren, a celebration of the life of JanEtte McKeithen Meredith will be held at 1 PM Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at the Columbia United Methodist Church, Columbia, LA with the Rev. Stuart Sherman officiating and under the direction of Riser Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Columbia Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 PM Tuesday and 10 AM to noon Wednesday at the funeral home. With DeEtte, her twin sister, JanEtte was born July 31, 1928 in Grayson, LA to J.J. McKeithen and DeEtte Eglin McKeithen. Spending her entire life in Caldwell Parish, she died peacefully in her sleep on January 17, 2011 in Columbia, LA at the home of her eldest son. She remained active and independent until her last day, never complaining of her illness and always optimistic. She was a woman of strong Christian faith, confident of her place in Heaven, while inspiring her family and friends. She was quite the Southern lady, always seeking to serve others, while deflecting attention from herself. To those who knew her best, she was a saint. Her father was the principal and her mother was a home economics teacher at Grayson High School where she developed many lifelong friendships. She attended Belhaven College in Jackson, MS and graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Spanish. In 1950, she married her husband-to-be of 57 years, Robert F. Meredith. To that union were born four sons: Bob, Mark, Dick and Scott. She later taught English at Columbia High School and was employed by the US Postal Service. She was an active member of the Columbia United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She devoted her life to her family, developing equally strong relationships with each new generation. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. Meredith, her grandson, Bobby Meredith and her two older brothers: former Gov. John J. McKeithen and Dr. A. E. McKeithen. She is survived by her four sons: Bob Meredith and wife, Belinda, Dr. Mark Meredith, Dick Meredith and Caldwell Parish Assessor Scott Meredith and wife, Jane. Also, her 16 grandchildren: Amy JanEtte Hale, Richard Meredith, Michael Meredith, Leann Pollard and Mary Pollard, Carla DeEtte Arthurs, Dr. Mark Meredith, Jr., Katie Robinson, John Meredith, Lauren Meredith, Lenzy Meredith, Dalton Meredith, Jessica McDaniel, Ashleigh Moreno, Dr. Angela Kosarek, and Evelyn JanEtte Meredith. Also, her 18 great-grandchildren: Lane, David and Carrie Hale, Rachel, Bobby and Reed Meredith, Taylor and Thomas Pollard, Kayleigh and Macie Arthurs, Jacklyn, Jacob, Jenna and Joshua Robinson, Nate Cook, Hunter and ally Moreno and Drew Kosarek. She is also survived by her twin sister, DeEtte Williams and her husband, Bilbo of Baton Rouge and her sisters-in-law, Evelyn McKeithen and Pauline Patton, both of Columbia. She leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Pallbearers will be Marty Hale, Richard Meredith, Michael Meredith, J D Arthurs, Dr. Mark Meredith, Jr., Jack Robinson, Jacob Robinson, John Meredith, Dalton Meredith, Justin McDaniel, Jeremy Moreno, Dr. Logan Kosarek and Blake Bonaventure. Any planned memorials may be made to Columbia First United Methodist Church, PO Box 178, Columbia, LA 71418.