Janaki "Jana" Leontine Rao

Janaki “Jana” Leontine Rao passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026, with loving family by her side. Born on June 12, 1937, in London, England, Jana lived in India until the age of ten before returning to Baton Rouge with her mother following her father’s death. Her father, Dr. Mugar Ranga Rao Suba Rao, came from India to attend Louisiana State University, where he met and married her mother, Leontine “Boo” Leola Weimer. Jana earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s Plus 30 degree from Louisiana State University and devoted more than 35 years to teaching. After retiring, she and her mother made their home in Pride, where she welcomed everyone and became like a grandmother to younger generations of her family. She is survived by her nieces in New York and many cousins, who will forever cherish her memory and greatly miss her presence in their lives. She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Q.A. Hester, her half-brother, Ramu Rao, her grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at 12:00 noon at Roselawn Cemetery.