Janis Joy Verdun Jones

Janis Joy Verdun Jones was born on December 7, 1936, in Verdunville, Louisiana, and transitioned peacefully surrounded by family on February 8, 2026, at the age of 89. Janis was a lifelong resident of Verdunville, Louisiana.

Mrs. Janis Joy Verdun Jones, the first of nine children to the marriage of the late Ruby Walker and Wilfred Verdun, Sr. was born in Verdunville, Louisiana. She began her formal education at the Verdunville Colored School in Verdunville. Because of her desire to learn, Janis was skipped from the 6th to the 8th grade and later graduated from St. Mary High School-which was later named J. A. Hernandez Elementary, as valedictorian of her class in 1954. Janis's post-secondary education includes receiving a 4-year scholarship to Dillard University but disliking the New Orleans area, she later transferred to Grambling State University, formerly Grambling College and obtained a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education and crowned Miss Grambling. Later on Janis obtained a Master's in Education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Believing the sky was the limit, she further pursued her education at Loyola, Nicholls State, and Louisiana State Universities.

Knowing that the children are our future and having the desire to help others, Mrs. Jones' teaching career began in 1960 at Verdunville Elementary. In 1964, she was moved to Centerville High School where she was the first black teacher hired and remained there until the integration of schools in 1972. In this the St. Mary Parish School System, Janis taught second and third grades for 15 years and was later elevated to serve as Principal of the Centerville High School for 19 years. She also served as Assistant Principal at Centerville High School, Willow Street Elementary, and finally her last nine years she served as Principal at the Thomas Gibbs Elementary School. After 34 years of service and dedication to the students of St. Mary Parish as an educator, administrator, & principal, Janis retired in 1994. After retirement, she went on to become a licensed funeral director and owner of Jones Funeral Home, Inc. and today, she still holds an active Funeral Director's license. Helping to comfort hurting families during difficult times in their life, the funeral service business became Mrs. Jones's part-time job, which she enjoyed.

Janis' religious affiliation included being a member of the St. Jules Catholic Church in Franklin, Louisiana where she served as a Trustee, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and a member of the Bishop's Synod Committee. She was a charter member of the Immaculate Conception/St. Jules Parish Council serving as its first president in 1972; and served as a board member. A major religious achievement included receiving the Martin Luther King Award from the Diocese of Lafayette in 1991 for outstanding leadership in church and community organized affiliations. Other educational and civic affiliations included membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.-Iota Eta Omega Chapter, the St. Mary Association of Retired Teachers, the Louisiana Education Association, the National Education Association, the Louisiana Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, the National Association of Health Care Centers, and the Louisiana Association of Health Care Centers. As one of the original founding board members of the Community Action Clinic, Janis has served on the Teche Action Clinic Board of Directors for over 20 years. She spread joy throughout the parish, by preparing and sharing nutritional meals, homemade candies, and her great mini sweet potato pies, with people of all ages here in the parish. Anyone was welcome at her home. Often you heard her say, "I just love helping folks!"

A Visitation will be held at Jones Funeral Home 1101 Main Street Franklin, Louisiana on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Following the Visitation, a Tribute Ceremony will take place at the same venue from 11:00 AM to 12:30 AM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Jules Catholic Church 601 Magnolia Street Franklin, Louisiana at 1:00 PM. The burial will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church 132 State Route 317 Centerville, Louisiana.

A Wife, Loving Mother and Grandmother, Confidant, Mentor, Friend, and a Woman of Devotion are a few words that describe Janis V. Jones, a Drum Major of Education who is small in size, yet walks tall with distinction. She leaves to cherish her memories, her two sons, Byron K. (Stephanie) Jones of Berwick, Louisiana and Andre' A. (Ledarius Richardson) Jones of Franklin, Louisiana; two grandchildren, Liltasha (Demetrius) Jones Steele of Mobile, Alabama and Quenton (Jasmine) Jones of Brooklyn, New York; two brothers, Wilfred Verdun, Jr. of Baker Town, Louisiana and Delanor Verdun of Verdunville, Louisiana; two sisters, Elodia V. Navy and Catherine Verdun, both of Verdunville, Louisiana; her two nieces and nephew, who she reared as her own, Marlene Green Owens, Leslie Green, and Leo Green, Jr.; two great-nieces, Stasha Comeaux and Johnise Bowie, who she was deeply involved in raising and shared a close loving bond; three great-grandchildren, Genevieve Steele, Sylvanie Steele, and Jolie Jones; along with a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends throughout the community.

Janis was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Jones, Jr.; her parents, Wilfred and Ruby Verdun, Sr.; her brother, Roy Walker; three sisters, Eleanor V. Vallet, Christine V. Green, and Maxine V. Burden; and two special cousins, Father Louis Charles Delarue and Sheila Verdun Green.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family ask that donations be sent to St. Jules Catholic Church 601 Magnolia Street Franklin, Louisiana 70538 and/or Tri-City Helping Hearts Foundation PO Box 1508 Morgan City, Louisiana 70380.