Shirley Gassen Jacocks

Shirley Ann Gassen Jacocks a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away at the age of 85 on May 21, 2018. Shirley was born on November 1, 1932 in Sulphur, Louisiana to Lionel J. “Kitty” Gassen, Sr. and Luna Mae Barron Gassen.  She spent her childhood in Sulphur with her older brother, Bub and her younger sister, MaryLou, always living close to her “Big Momo”, Marie Bodin Gassen.  Shirley graduated from Sulphur High School in 1951 where she participated as a cheerleader, basketball player and editor of the school’s newspaper. She attended Centenary College receiving a B. S. in 1955. While at college, she met Ken Jacocks whom she married on August 9, 1953.  

Being the wife of a Methodist minister, she moved frequently with her husband and four children. The family resided in New Orleans, Greenwell Springs, Pearl River, Monroe, Houston (TX), and Hammond.  While in Houston, she was Director of Yale Street Daycare through the VOA. She also lived in Gonzales and LaPlace helping her husband serve Methodist churches after her children were grown.

In 1982, she received a Masters of Education at SLU.  Before retirement in 1995, Shirley was a beloved elementary school teacher for 28 years. The last 20 years of her teaching career, she spent as a kindergarten teacher at Mooney Avenue and St. Amant Elementary.  She was a supervisor for student teachers through SLU.  Shirley was an active member of the United Methodist Women organization.  

She is survived by:  sister, Mary Lou Gassen Blakeman (Warren), daughter, Sharon Jacocks Parrott (Dickie), son, William M. Jr.(Wendy), son, Dr. Matthew J. Jacocks, son, James W. “Wes” Jacocks, grandchildren, William “Ken” Jacocks III, Anne Alford (Sammy), Woodrow J. Jacocks (Ashley), Piper G. Jacocks, Travis J. Parrott: great grandchildren, Louis Walker, Dorien Alford, Clayton Jacocks, Skyler Alford, William Walker, Hayden Walker, Edward Jacocks, Lucas Jacocks, sister-in-law, Carrie Gassen, nephews, Michael Gassen, Jeff Blakeman, nieces, Vicki Magee, Jennifer Blakeman, Julie Blakeman.  She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Marie Bodin Gassen, her parents, brother, Lionel “Bub” Gassen, Jr., her husband, Rev. William “Ken” Jacocks, and sister-in-law, Paula Mixon Gassen.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Heritage Healthcare for caring for her these past three years as she suffered from complications of Parkinson’s Disease/CBD.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Friday, May 25, 2018 at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, LA 70401 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.  Visitation will continue on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Hammond, 200 Rue Denise, Hammond, LA 70403, from 11:00 am until the Funeral Service at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Shirley requested that donations be made to: United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana (First Christian Church-Jacocks Scholarship Fund), 8337 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA, 70809 or the Choir Fund at First United Methodist Church of Hammond, 2200 Rue Denise, Hammond, LA, 70403.

An online guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.