Melva Juanita Martinez Coutee, 86, of Baton Rouge passed away Monday March 18, 2024, after a short but diligent battle with cancer. She was born on October 21, 1937, in Shreveport. She was a native of Zwolle, and went on to further her education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. This is where she met the love of her life, and husband of 64 years, Ellis Coutee. She earned her B.S. degree in Business and Mathematics (1958); Masters degree in Mathematics (1960) and graduated with Honors. Juanita was inducted in the NSU College of Business Hall of Distinction and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She & Ellis were honored as the first couple to be inducted into the “Long Purple Line”, the highest honor of NSU. Juanita earned her education by working on campus and was awarded academic scholarships. Juanita taught Geometry at Fair Park High School in Shreveport while earning her graduate degree. Juanita was the first professional female at Exxon, as a Systems Analyst, in the Baton Rouge Refinery in the Math, Computing, and Systems Department. This recognized her technical expertise for the business and information systems. She was also a key component to the payroll systems for Exxon. Juanita served on the salaried Federal Credit Union board as well as the President of the Retirement Club. Her accomplishments and service for Exxon were well noted and recognized, and after 33 years she retired as a Senior Associate. When she first came to Exxon, women were not prevalent, and she had to earn her place. She went above and beyond like everything in her life and left her mark for the better. Today more and more women are professionals in these workspaces thanks to trailblazers like our Juanita. Ellis and Juanita were members of the Knights & Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. They were awarded the Papal Honor membership from Pope John Paul II. Juanita was later promoted to Lady Grand Cross. Juanita also served on the Diocese of Baton Rouge for 10 years. She was an active and devout member of St. Thomas More Parish, served as a lector as well as various other committees. She was born a leader, was fiercely independent, and excelled in all areas of life, however, her favorite honors were the titles of mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, sewing, cooking in her early years, and was of all things tech savvy. Juanita is survived by her husband, Ellis Coutee; sister, Neva Lewis (BJ); brother, Dale Martinez; sister-in-law, Joyce Martinez; daughters, Cheryl Volentine (Chris), Pamela LaFargue (Randal Craig); son, Bradford Coutee (Dena); son-in-law, Michael Thurman; grandchildren, Blake Volentine, Holly Thurman Harp (Zack), Megan Thurman Keskinen (AJ), Taylor LaFargue (Evan), Jordan LaFargue Messina (TJ), Sarah Volentine, and Kyle Volentine (Susan); and great grandchildren, Annabelle, Connor, Lawson, Liam, Reign and Silas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin & Mary K. Martinez; her daughter, Marla Coutee Thurman; her brother, Melvin “Buddy” Martinez; and sister-in-law, Millie Martinez. The family would like to thank the nurses of the Medical Intensive Care Unit (especially Nurses: Summer, Rhett, & Chris) at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center for their loving care and compassion given to our angel Juanita and her family in her final hours. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ozair, Dr. Castle & the Woman’s Cancer Pavilion for giving us the irreplaceable gift of more time with her. Visitation is scheduled for Monday March 25, 2024 from 10am-12pm at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Avenue, Baton Rouge. Rosary will begin at 11:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Private burial at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Chris, Blake, and Kyle Volentine; Craig LaFargue, TJ Messina, and Evan Tidwell. Education was so important to Juanita, helping others realize that knowledge is power, and to never stop learning. Juanita requested NO flowers. Instead, you may send memorials to the NSU Foundation for the Juanita Martinez Coutee Memorial Scholarship, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71497. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. 2 Timothy 4:7
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