Jeanne C Coil

Jeanne began life April 2, 1937 outside Haynesville, Louisiana. Her parents operated a farm 8 miles north of Haynesville. She grew up with four brothers and three sisters. Another brother died soon after birth before Jeanne was born. The family that predeceased or survived Jeanne can be found in the Memorial Service program.

Jeanne told me numerous times after we were married that she would not live past her father’s length of life. This lead me to research her family genealogy books. Her father lived 86 1/2 years. Fourteen others lived longer. At Jeanne’s death she had lived 88 years, 6 months and 2 days. She lived to be 10th on the family long life list.

Early Christian Life

I can best describe Jeanne’s early Christian life by reading her story written in 1998.

This is the Personal Testimony of Jeanne C. Baker ~ February 2, 1998

I grew up on a farm in a large family; there was Mother, Daddy, and eight children. We went to New Ramah Primitive Baptist Church twice each month, the number of Sundays that “Brother Brown” had our church on his circuit schedule. (It was not unusual in those days for a country church preacher to fill the pulpit of more than one church.)

The main things I remember as a young child about our church was dinner on the grounds (it was great), feet washing (I wondered what this was all about), and a preacher who talked loud, sometimes yelled, and banged his fist on the podium. I cannot recall learning anything about the Bible either than, “God wants us to be good; and if we are bad, the Devil will get us!” Also, there were two people who were mentioned a lot: their names were Abraham and Jesus. There was no question that we would all be in church on those two Sundays each month.

My life began to change, when in the fourth grade, three of my girlfriends at school talked about being “saved” at a revival at First Baptist Church. They acted so excited about it and were telling all our classmates about it during recess on the playground. I didn’t know what they were talking about, but there was on thing for certain . . . they were happy!

They invited me to come to Sunday School and explained that they had a teacher who taught the Bible during this time, and I would be in their class. Because of their enthusiasm and my curiosity I wanted to go; but I knew there would be no way to get there. After all, my family lived eight miles from First Baptist Church, way out in the country, and I could not expect my parents to take me. We already had a church.

It is no coincidence that their church started a bus ministry about that time; and I asked my mother if I could ride the bus and go to Sunday School at my friends’ church “in town”. I was surprised when, without hesitation, she said it would be okay. (The Lord had touched Mama’s life three years prior to this; and she responded by joining New Ramah Baptist Church. I will never forget the day she was baptized in Uncle Ferman’s pond). I thought she would insist on us children attending her church.

Sunday School was “so good!” . . . . I relished every lesson Mrs. Almand taught. I soon discovered that the “black book” called the Bible was filled with wonderful stories, great people, especially someone called Jesus who loved me. After a few months of attending every Sunday, I lost my fear of being called on to pray.

About that same time I started attending Sunday School, I discovered a large book at home called CHILDREN’S BIBLE STORIES. It belonged to my Daddy’s mother, and had been stored on a closet shelf ever since she died when I was a first grader. I asked Mother about a picture I had turned to. It was a picture of Jesus on the cross. She said he had done no wrong but had to die to save the sinners; I didn’t understand her explanation, but I did not quiz her anymore. I sensed that she felt inadequate and frustrated with her answer.

The Holy Spirit, meanwhile, was working on my older brothers and older sister through Christian friends, the bus ministry, and dedicated Sunday School teachers, as well as a preacher who explained the Bible so that we could understand at least some of it.

I “got up the nerve” to ask my parents if I could have a Bible as a Christmas gift, and was elated when they gave me one. I loved reading God’s Word, although I skipped over a lot of it because the words were hard to pronounce; and it seemed as though its sentences were all jumbled up, written backwards, and were generally confusing. I am so thankful for Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Training Union teachers who were faithful in guiding me through the Scriptures for the next two years.

By that time I mentally knew who Jesus was; and I had learned all the Bible stories that children are usually taught from the Old and New Testaments. I could recite all the books of the Bible, name the apostles, say memory verses, the ten commandments, etc. I enjoyed all of this learning, but I had not met Jesus as my personal Savior.

One night before going to bed I was reading John 17. Jesus would soon be arrested and was praying for himself, for his disciples, and f inally for all believers then and in the future. For the first time, I realized the PERSONAL mercy and grace Jesus had for me, even before I was born. My heart’s door was open, and I let him come into my life.

I didn’t fully understand, and still don’t, the great measure of His love for me. I know, through faith in His death and resurrection, that I will be with Him always and see His glory!

Jeanne’s story can be told another way that will fit biblical parables Pastor Bart has used in his sermons. So, we start:

Jeanne was planted by her parents in church soil. For Jeanne, this soil was not very inspiring. It felt cold to her, had little nourishment and was poorly watered, as such it was not very inviting for young Jeanne.

At age 9, she felt a warm breeze from her girlfriends. They talked about a special event, a revival, and being saved. Jeanne got her parents approval to check out this warm breeze. She transplanted herself from one church soil to a different church soil.

This new church soil was well suited for a young girl, It had warm breezes from her friends, young child nourishment and watering from a Sunday School teacher and a pastor who talked her language. It only took about 18 months for Jeanne to bear fruit in this new soil. Jeanne committed to God and Jesus soon after her 11th birthday. That paraphrases the story Jeanne wrote in 1998. But, the story of her life does not end at that point. It keeps bearing fruit with her many accomplishments.

High School Life

Her high school life included: 4-years on the girls basketball team, twice all-state girl’s basketball team, 3 years as cheerleader, National Honors Society member, Debate Club, Dramatics Club, Chemistry Club, 3 years with Pelican Girls’ State, and many other activities. In spite of all this, Jeanne found time to study. She graduated as her high school salutatorian. She flowered and yielded much fruit.

Jeanne started high school basketball as a freshman. She played as a starter with her older sister, Nettyelene. As a freshman, the Haynesville girls basketball team placed 2nd in the Louisiana girls basketball state tournament. As a senior, the Haynesville girls basketball team won the Louisiana girls basketball state championship.

While at Pelican Girls’ State, one of the advisors, an LSU professor, strongly suggested Jeanne attend college. Following high school, Jeanne attended Louisiana State University majoring in education and business. As a sophomore, Jeanne was a freshman advisor.

Children and Work Life

While in Shreveport, she began raising two children. She told them about Christianity. Daughter Rene’ was born in 1963 and son Steven in 1966. From 1967 she was raising two children by herself. In 1976, she moved to Houston from Shreveport when her company moved its headquarters. Single parent Jeanne stuck with her son and daughter through their trials and tribulations. For the last few years, they both stuck with their mother.

Most of Jeanne’s work life involved time with United Gas Pipe Line Company from 1957 through 1991. She climbed the ladder and became the senior accountant. She prepared legal documents presented to the U.S. pipeline regulatory agency. After that, she taught grades 1-5 at the Houston Independent School District and the West University Baptist Church's A Children’s Village totaling four years.

She found a good friend, Mignon Landrum. While in Houston, Mignon helps Jeanne overcome the things life throws at you.

Adult Christian Life

Jeanne was involved with various churches during her life. In Houston, Jeanne had new Christian opportunities as her children were becoming young adults. Jeanne shifted her church membership to the Sharpstown Baptist Church. She became the Love and Care Ministries lead, taught youth and children’s Sunday school classes, and participated in the church handbell choir. With another opportunity, Jeanne taught pre-schoolers for two years at the West Baptist Church’s A Children’s Village in Houston.

Her life kept changing. Jeanne retired in 1999 and moved to Tyler, Tx in 2001 where her older sister lived. She joined the Woods Baptist Church. She kept bearing fruit by volunteering as teacher for Bible Buddies (grades 1 to 3) and was a member of their handbell choir. During her time in Tyler, a major hurricane hit Mobile, AL where her son now lived. She drove to Mobile with her car loaded with food and other supplies to aid her son and his crew in the cleanup efforts.

Another new opportunity. Jeanne moved to Aurora to be with her daughter and her family. She joined the Aurora Trinity Baptist Church. She kept giving fruit by participating in the Prime Timers Program and took on the lead effort with the TBC Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child program. She spent a few years helping Beverly get her collected cans sold.

Jeanne continued to attend church every week after she entered an assisted living facility as Trinity Baptist Church broadcast (Iive streamed in present terms) its services weekly via YouTube. She sang along with the singing. She watched the hand waving to see who welcomed those watching via the internet.

Travel Life

She moved to Mobile, Al in 2007 to be with her son and his daughter. She found, a friend that wanted to travel. Jeanne and Venie Butters travelled to Canada, Alaska twice, New England, Ireland, and Australia and New Zealand. Over 5,000 photos available.

She moved to Aurora, Co in 2013 to be with her daughter and her daughter’s family who lives in Highlands Ranch. She continued to travel seeing parts of Colorado with her daughter and a new friend, Bernadette Sonefeld.

When I entered Jeanne’s life, we traveled across the US visiting relatives, 10+ national parks, Hearst Castle, many scenic areas, the Ark Encounter, the Creation Museum and lots of local spots.

Aurora and New Husband

We met in 2014 after I moved into Heather Gardens. Our common activities included working jigsaw puzzles, starting and running building newsletter 3 years, ice cream socials and other building activities. We started decorating a scrawny evergreen tree outside the building calling it the “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree”.

I proposed to her on March 2, 2017 and we were married on April 2, 2017. Jeanne’s daughter, Rene’, volunteered considerable time to make it happen. Jeanne’s oldest granddaughter, Rachel, sang at the wedding.

Closing

Jeanne had many years bearing fruit in her life. Much of her life was centered supporting Christian pursuits for her kids and aiding numerous churches over the years. Now, I want to finish by reading a poem written by one of Jeanne's high school classmates, Gary McDonald. It talks to Jeanne’s life focus and maybe to you as well.

How you spend your “Dash”

I was having a tombstone made

For the funeral of my friend.

I referred to the dates on Lucky’s tombstone

From the beginning… to the end.

I noted that first came the date of birth

And I remember the end date with tears,

But I knew what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That Lucky spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved him

Know what that little dash is worth.

For us humans it matters not how much we own:

The cars … the house … the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard …

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can be re-arranged.

If we could just slow down enough,

To consider what’s true and real,

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more,

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never done before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile …

Remembering that this special task

Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read

With your life’s action to rehash …

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?