Jackie Merle Mentz

Jackie Merle Stephens Mentz was born in Billings, Oklahoma on February 13th, 1931 to James Noah and Edna Stephens. Jackie was the oldest of three sisters. She graduated from Bremen High School in Breman, GA in 1948. She graduated from Shorter College in Rome, GA in 1951 where she received her Bachelor of Piano Performance with a minor in Organ. She received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA.

Jackie was a church organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Gadsden, Alabama where she met Rev. Dr. Marlin Mentz. On June 22nd, 1952, Marlin and Jackie were married at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Marlin and Jackie were blessed in their marriage with four children. Over the next forty years, Jackie was the organist at Christ Lutheran Church in East Point, GA, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Douglasville, GA, and Oak Road Lutheran Church in Lilburn, GA. Jackie was a first and second grade teacher in the Fulton County School System for 26 years. She also taught piano lessons at her private piano studio for many years.

Preceding her in death were her husband of 71 years, Marlin Mentz; her parents, James Noah Stephens and Edna (Bodenstein) Stephens; brother in laws, Francis Henry Mentz and Charlie Canada Smith.

Jackie is survived by her sisters, Billie Lee Mentz, Bobbie Jean Smith, son Stephen Mentz (Virginia), son Detlef Mentz (Amy), daughter Andrea Mitchum (Perry), and daughter Tara Lynn Douds (Rick). She is also survived by grandchildren Bethany Mentz, Tristan Mentz, Emil Mentz (Kirby), Emily Richter (Andy), Andrew Mentz and LeAndra Douds, and great-granddaughter Eden Mentz. As well as her nephew Kerry Smith (Cheryl), great nephew, Charlie Smith, and great niece, Sarah Smith.

Jackie entered eternal life on Sunday, August 20th, 2023. A Graveside Service for Jackie Mentz will be held on Saturday, August 26th at 11:00 am at Carroll Memorial Gardens, 914 Stripling Chapel Rd., Carrollton, GA 30116.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to:

Lutheran World Relief

PO Box 17061

Baltimore, MD. 21297-1061

https://lwr.org/

or

Lutheran Hour Ministries

6600 Mason Ridge Center

St. Louis, MO, 63141

https://www.lhm.org/