Jacqueline R LaGrone

Jacqueline graduated from Lincoln High School in Evansville and was valedictorian of her class. She received her speed writing and typing certificate from Lockyear Business College. In 1976, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from the University of Evansville. In the mid 60's, Jacqueline worked for the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (informally called the License Bureau). In January of 1969, she joined the Human Relations Commission as secretary. Jacqueline was promoted to Human Relations Specialist after receiving training from the Washington, DC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In 1979, she was appointed acting director of the Evansville Human Relations Commission. In March of 1980, Mayor Russell G. Lloyd Sr. named Mrs. LaGrone, Executive Director of HRC. This made her the first black female appointed to head a city administration department in the history of Evansville. It was stated that “under her leadership [Dir of HRC], the effort to expand territorial jurisdiction to include Vanderburgh County was realized.” She retired as Executive Director in 1991, having served under both democratic and republican mayors. Jacqueline’s affiliations include the Community Action of Evansville (CAPE) Board of Directors; UMOKA minority radio station project committee; HOPE of Evansville board; member of Really Concerned Citizens (RCC) organization, which filed and won suit in federal court against the EVSC to desegregate all of its’ schools. She was a member of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies; the Evansville Coalition of 100 Black Women, where she created and spear-headed the Princess Nefertiti Project; the Legal Services Advisory Board; Emergency Planning Board of Evansville; the local branch of the NAACP; and the Evansville Black Roundtable, where she created and help implement the Adopt-A-Black Business Project. The recipient of numerous awards, Jacqueline has received the “Black Woman of the Year” award in the category of community service. She's listed in the “Who's Who in Indiana” from the State Coalition of 100 Black Women in Indianapolis and “Woman of the Year” for community service from the New Hope Baptist Church Women's Day Committee. She was the recipient of the Sadelle Berger Human Relations Commission Award (1991), the University of Evansville's Minority Student Association Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award (1990), and the Mayor Frank McDonald II, Award of Merit, and City of Evansville (1991). She received a Resolution of Congratulations from the City of Evansville City Council and County of Vanderburgh County Council (1991) on her retirement after 22 years of service, and was named one of the Evansville YWCA Achievement “100 Years 100 Women” Celebrating a Legacy of Service to Women and Children Award in 2011.

She was a charter member of the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a Delta D.E.A.R. and had served as Publicity Chairperson for Ebony Fashion Fair, a scholarship benefit fashion show that was held annually and sponsored by DST. Jacqueline volunteered for nearly 20 years as
the coordinator of the Black History Month Talent Show (a MLK celebration).

She was very active in her religious life. As a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, she was a member of the Parish Council and was instrumental in the church adding a statue of St. Martin de Porres.
She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church during the early and latter periods of her life. At St. John's, she was a greeter, a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver.

Her hobbies included national and international travel, reading, playing bridge with the Socialette Bridge Club and dining with the Lunch Bunch.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Vernal James “Moose” Hall Jr.; and her first born infant son, Michael Wayne LaGrone.

Jacqueline is survived by her former husband, Charles LaGrone Sr.; her children, Cornel LaGrone (Madeline), Lisa LaGrone Sebree (Clifton), Antonio LaGrone, Yolanda LaGrone Clemons (Edward Jr.),
Vincent LaGrone, Charles LaGrone Jr., Rodney LaGrone, and Jennifer LaGrone Kimball (Anthony); step-sister, Shirley Ann Green; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; great aunt, Anna Lee Bailey; sister-in-law, Louise Hall; nephews, Duane, Dean, Vernal Hall; and numerous long-time friends.


The family would like to thank the staff of University Nursing Home, the staff of Southern Care Hospice, and Father Ted Temple.


A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 12, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 613 Cherry St., Evansville, IN, 47713, with Father Ted Temple celebrating. Burial will be at Locust Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit 4 to 7 PM, Thursday, January 11, at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.