[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF SISTER JENNIE LOUISE JONES, S.S.F.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of a true New Orleans spiritual leader, educator, culture bearer 
and mentor, Sister Jennie Louise Jones, S.S.F. who passed away at the 
age of 70 years old. Sister Jennie Louise Jones, S.S.F., the daughter 
of the late Leonard Earl Jones, Jr, in union with Mrs. Jennie Gourrier 
Jones, entered eternal life on Sunday, February 26, 2023. She was born 
on June 15, 1952, Sister Jennie entered the Congregation of the Sisters 
of the Holy Family on September 8, 1970, and made First Vows on August 
15, 1973. Sister had celebrated 52 years as a Sister of the Holy 
Family.
  Raised and deeply rooted in New Orleans culture, Sister Jennie 
attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and was a 1970 graduate of 
St. Mary's Academy. In preparation for her ministry in education, 
Sister Jennie received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from 
Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master's degree in Educational 
Administration from the University of New Orleans. Sister Jennie served 
as teacher, principal and assistant principal in her ministries. She 
taught and was assistant principal at St. Raymond Elementary School, 
assistant principal at St. Paul the Apostle, principal at Corpus 
Christi Elementary and Marian Central Middle School, all in New 
Orleans. Sister Jennie also taught at Ecumenical High School in 
Dangriga, Belize, Central America. After Hurricane Katrina, Sister 
Jennie taught at Pineville Middle School in Pineville, Louisiana. 
Sister's longest tenure was as principal of St. Mary's Academy, serving 
over twenty years, from which she retired in 2022. Sister Jennie kept 
the school open after Hurricane Katrina, when the City of New Orleans 
planned to turn the school's campus into a green space. Sister also 
served as a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family Leadership Team.
  In 2012, ``Sister Jennie Jones, Principal of St. Mary's Academy, was 
among an elite group of nine Catholics honored as `Champions of Change 
in Catholic Education' at a special White House ceremony,'' honored by 
then President Barack Obama, as the school was rebuilt and even 
expanded. During her tenure, their curriculum and program grew to 
include classes from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade to accommodate 
students and families displaced by the Hurricane. Now, middle and high 
school students are able to enjoy a new state of the art building 
because of her leadership and commitment.
  Sister Jennie is preceded in death by her beloved father, Leonard 
Earl Jones, Jr., and brother, Benjamin ``Bennie'' Jones, and her 
paternal and maternal grandparents.
  Sister Jennie leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, Mrs. Jennie 
G. Jones, two brothers, Carl A. Jones and Leonard E. Jones, III 
(Gwendolyn); niece Mikeall Caesar (Rickey); two nephews, Jeffery Lewis 
and Jude Lewis, great nephew Stanley Tate, great niece, Jennie Louise 
Hawkins; and a host of uncles, cousins, faculty, staff, and students of 
St. Mary's Academy, as well as religious sisters, and friends.
  I am humbled to have personally known such a great spiritual leader 
and fighter for all, who has done so much to improve the lives of 
countless residents across my district. So many people's lives are 
enriched because of the love and passion she expressed in touching them 
along the way. New Orleans has lost another one of its greatest 
champions of culture. Sister Jennie Jones touched tens of thousands of 
lives in our community, dedicating her entire life to educating young 
black children, impacting generations of families over five decades of 
religious life. May we continue to receive her blessings as she 
continues to watch over us and our entire country in prayer.

                          ____________________