Jacquelyn Carol Garner Cox

Jacquelyn Carol Garner Cox passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the age of 88. She was the beloved wife of the late Alfred Joseph Cox, Jr., and the loving mother of Michael (Judy), Gregory (Katherine), Kathryn (James), Margaret, and Laura (who preceded her in death). She was the daughter of the late Verna Lemoine Garner and Jack Garner.

Jacquelyn was the grandmother of Karyn (Brian), Michelle (Chasse), Daniel (Danielle), Adam (Michelle), Matthew (Sami), David (Kelsey), Laura (Adam), and Jacob. She is also survived by 15 great grandchildren.

Jacquelyn was a native of Mansura, Louisiana, in Avoyelles Parish and spent her early years on the Lemoine family farm. She moved to New Orleans with her family in the 1940s and attended school at St. Joseph’s Academy, graduating high school in 1955. She then entered nursing school and earned her degree in 1958 from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, operated by the Dominican nuns. She began her career working with the Visiting Nursing Association throughout the city of New Orleans and then at Mercy Hospital. She met Alfred on a blind date in 1958, and they were married in 1959 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in New Orleans. Alfred began a doctoral program at Louisiana State University. Jacquelyn and he moved to Baton Rouge. She continued working at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and later at a private practice in pediatrics. After Alfred’s graduation in 1962, they moved to Hammond where they lived ever since.

Jacquelyn cherished her family, friends, and the Holy Ghost community. She supported numerous ministries at Holy Ghost School and Church over the years, always willing to help whenever the principal or nuns would call. Her service included involvement in the Mother’s Club, the early Catholic high school committee, the Rosary Altar Society, the Renew Team, St. Vincent Depaul Thrift Store, and Uniforms for Kids program. She and Alfred shared a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and lovingly maintained the Blessed Mother statue and garden in front of the old church for many years.

Family was central to Jacquelyn and Alfred’s lives, and they always sought to model the family as a foundation. Their dedication was recognized as they were twice named Knights of Columbus Council 2952 Family of the Year, and in 1990 were selected as State Family of the Year for the State of Louisiana. Jacquelyn was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many and will be greatly missed. She requested that her family and friends always remember their Catholic faith.

We thank God for the angels at Modern Hospice (Christy, Lyndy, Gwen, Elaine) and for her devoted caregivers (Sheila, Diane, and Faye) whose love, dignity, grace, and service were a blessing to our family in our time of need.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 601 North Oak Street, Hammond, Louisiana 70401, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at Holy Ghost from 9:00 a.m. until the mass begins at 11:00 a.m.

 Interment will follow in Rose Memorial Park Cemetery, Hammond, Louisiana. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.