Jeanette Lochner

Jeannette Lee Lochner passed away on February 2, 2020, at the age of 80 in Shreveport, LA, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ms. Lochner was predeceased by her parents, Estelle (Bidwell) Lochner and Chester Raymond Lochner; brother, James Raymond Lochner; son, Christopher Mark Mims; former husbands, Donald Lee Mims and Charles Wildon Thornton; step-daughter Alice Thornton, and step-son Frederick Anthony Thornton.

She is survived by her children Rev. Thomas (Tammy) Mims of Biloxi, MS; Maria Embry and Laura Mims of Shreveport, LA; her grandchildren Christen (Larry) Schouder, Kelly (Josh) Broadhead, Rebecca (Eric) Johnson, Thomas (Erin) Mims,  Joelle (Mario) Valdez, and Lexus Embry; great-grandchildren McKenzie Cauley, Lincoln Broadhead, Roman Broadhead, Renley Johnson, Warner Johnson, Dario Valdez, and Donovan Valdez.

She was born on July 5, 1939 in Dayton, Ohio. She spent her childhood in Dayton and young adulthood in Miami, FL. As the wife of an airman, she was able to travel throughout Europe including living in Germany, France, and Spain. She was a longtime resident of Biloxi, MS, where she worked in the Biloxi Public School System for more than twenty years as a volunteer teacher’s assistant, administrative assistant, and after completing college later in life, as a teacher. She then received her MEd and taught at William Carey University in Biloxi. Jeanette was employed by NASA Stennis Space Center’s Teacher Resource Center working with educators to provide hands-on science methods for the classroom. She became involved in English as a Second Language (ESL) education, first as summer projects through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and then as an ESL teacher and resident of Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, for nearly a decade before moving to Shreveport, LA. During her final years in Shreveport, she was proud to serve the Lord as a member of the “Anna Sunday School Class” of First Baptist Church.

She was a consummate teacher, “doer”, and lifelong learner. Her creativity was evident in her work and her art.  She was the best mother, grandmother, and friend a child could have. Most importantly, she was a true Christian in word and deed. Despite her illness, she still found ways to serve others and enjoy life.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8th at Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport MS. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Gulfcoast Rescue Mission, 2750 Mission Lane, Biloxi, MS 39531.