Jeanne Elizabeth Whitson

Jeanne Elizabeth Whitson, 74, known affectionately as “Jeannie,” died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, July 25, 2025. Born in 1950, in New Orleans, she was the third of seven children born to the late Robert C.M. “Mack” Whitson and Yvonne “Gammy” Fanz Whitson. She leaves four sisters and two brothers: Donna Brett (Edward), John C. “Kurt” Whitson, Peggy Spear (Sidney), Lisa Blaum (the late Jeffrey), Robert C. “Chris” Whitson (Susan), and Sally Stechmann (David), as well as numerous nieces and nephews: Tracy Dunlap (Dave), Erin Erlandson (Cory), Drew Spear, Kelly Spear, Kevin Spear (Katie), Kristen Fisch (Paul), Megan Redpath (Kelton), Tory Lee (Matt), Terry Scott (Dave), Dayna Moore (Alex), Christopher Whitson (Sarah), Jessica Szwaya (Jeff), Kaitlyn David (Salem), David Michael Stechmann (Madi); and grand-nieces and grand-nephews: Scott Dunlap, Sam Dunlap, Owen Erlandson, Drew Erlandson, Evelyn Spear, Graham Spear, Zane Fisch, Rhys Fisch, Kaiden Redpath, Beckett Redpath, Foster Redpath, Ann Olivia Lee, Lila Lee, Daniel Scott, Jackson Scott, Violet, Scott, Louise Moore, Andy Moore, Baby Boy Whitson, Nathan Szwaya, Cameron Szwaya, Salem David V, Charlotte David, Baby Stechmann. Jeannie’s affections knew no bounds, including lifelong friendships and many pets.

Jeannie attended St Gabriel the Archangel, St Frances Cabrini, and St Joseph before graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in 1968. After a year at LSU, she began a long and distinguished career at Bell South and later with AT&T in Atlanta. She rapidly rose through management over 52 years until retiring. Notably, Jeannie recognized early on that computers would transform the workplace and quickly adapted to this innovation. Her diligence, work ethic, and innate leadership were exemplary, paving the way for other women at a time when professional advancement was not guaranteed.

Yet, career success alone could never satisfy Jeannie’s compassionate heart. She showered love upon her nieces and nephews, then in her late twenties, she began volunteering at local group homes for children, inspiring her to become a foster parent. At that time for a single woman to become a foster parent was highly unusual but Jeannie was undeterred. At the age of 31, she opened her home to foster a thirteen-year-old girl, Annie Whitson (Tom Worrell), adopting her four years later. Two other young girls in need were also temporarily fostered by Jeannie during this period. At age 41, she again opened her home fostering and then adopting an infant, Aubrey Whitson, and a few years later, her 4-year-old brother, Austin Whitson. Her children will forever be her pride and joy.

While working full-time and raising children, Jeannie pursued her dream of earning a college degree. She enrolled in night classes at the University of New Orleans, earning a B.A. in Anthropology. A highlight of her educational journey was studying abroad in Italy. Jeannie’s academic bent eventually led her to become the Whitson Family genealogist, researching the family tree and enlightening the family that some ancestors had lived in Colonial Virginia, and others were prominent pioneers and Revolutionary soldiers. History, world cultures, and travel were among her favorite interests. She had a deep connection to nature, finding joy in observing deer and birds in her backyard.

Jeannie’s razor sharp wit and sly sense of humor will never be replicated. Without her vivacious presence, laughter, and uncensored spontaneous comments, family gatherings will definitely not be the same. We will always remember those three-hour phone calls that often included a “Jeannie-ology” lesson, famous stories about growing up Whitson, and much hysterical laughter.

Jeannie will be greatly missed by one and all. Her large extended family will forever be inspired by her example. In her honor, we will continue to reach out and help others and spread the love, joy and laughter she brought into this world.