Jean Elizabeth LeBlanc Arceneaux

Jean was born in Opelousas, Louisiana on May 14, 1945 to Loretta and Frank Arthur “Sonnie” LeBlanc. She grew up in Port Barre, Louisiana, where she graduated from Port Barre High School. She completed a bachelor's degree in microbiology at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana–Lafayette. She earned a master’s degree in microbiology, followed by a doctorate in microbiology, both from the University of Texas–Austin.

Jean married Joseph Lincoln Arceneaux in 1970. They were married 54 years, and together they had one son, Jacques Louis Arceneaux, who resides in Madison. Jewan did decades of productive research at UMMC on tuberculosis and, later, anthrax, and was a mentor and director to many doctoral candidates in microbiology over the years. She retired as an associate professor emerita.

Jean was a devoted parishioner of St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church in Jackson during her entire life in Mississippi. She enjoyed cooking, painting, and collecting fine things. Jean was known for her exquisite taste and refinement; her dignity and poise; her tremendous intellect; and her incredible thoughtfulness, generosity, and sincere care for everyone around her.

Jean was predeceased by her husband Lincoln in 2024. She is survived by her only son Jacques Louis Arceneaux, her sisters Gloria Morris and Elaine Guidroz (Byron), and her sisters- and brothers-in-law Dolores Menard, Lou Guilbeaux (Don), Russell Arceneaux (Brenda), Ellender Arceneaux (Cathy), and Earl Arceneaux (Barbara), as well as as many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Jean at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church in Jackson on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held in the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A reception will be held at the church in Foley Hall after interment at Parkway Memorial Cemetery on Highland Colony Parkway in Madison.

Pall bearers will be Dr. Jerome Buller, Russell Arceneaux, Daniel Morris, Dr. Holland ‘Mac’ Addison, Rusty Haydel, and Dr. John Morellato. Honorary pall bearers will be Byron Guidroz and Jean-Louis Guidroz.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the MIND Center at UMMC, to the St. Richard’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, or to the Carmelite Monastery in Jackson.