Mary Jennifer Ypya

Jennifer was born in Shreveport, Louisiana January 20, 1966 to Joseph and Diane Loyd Guillory. While growing up in Shreveport with her two sisters, Christy Guillory Baker and Julie Guillory Acree, Jennifer was a member of Caddo Cuties Dance Group, Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement, and the Southwood High School band. On March 1, 1986 Jennifer married her husband Barry Ypya in Shreveport. Together they built a life and family and watched it to continue to grow. That family includes four children and soon to be four grandchildren – son, Joshua Ypya, his wife, Erin, and their sons, Elliot and Miles; daughter, Lindsey Larey Ypya and her son, Jaxon Larey and her daughter on the way, Genevieve Ypya-Powell, son, Eli Ypya, son, Caleb Ypya, and fiancé, Kayley Melton.

Jen was the love of Barry’s life! The Lord was gracious enough to allow him 37 years of marriage with this angel and he is so thankful to Him. Jen Jen loved! She loved hard!! She loved passionately and she loved fiercely!!! She instilled that depth of love in her husband and in the beautiful family that they built together. We see her everyday in each of her children and grandchildren… the smiles, the sense of humor, the love and care for each other and for others, the sensitive hearts, the willingness to put others first, and most of all the faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ! Jen Jen was a dreamer and never met a stranger. She lit up every room that she entered and everyone was drawn to her. She could sense those around her that needed a hug or a kind word and was always willing to provide both and more whether it was her first time meeting you or for the friends she knew her entire life. Our hearts are broken and there are holes in our hearts that will only be filled when we get to kneel with her at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. Until then we will lean on each other, we will support each other, we will live the lives that Jen showed us how to live, and we will continue to walk through this life with Jesus by our side.

Thank you all for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support that you've given us. Please cherish every second of the time that you have with the ones you love, forget and forgive the little things, LOVE is what matters. We have too little time in life not to make love the center of everything we do, how we treat each other, even when we have differences of opinion. We are all human beings struggling through this broken world. As children of God we have the grace, hope, and peace to get us through anything. We love you all and we love and will miss our Jen Jen until we are together again!