Louise Lenz Jarrard

Louise Lenz Jarrard, 93 and 24 days shy of her 94th birthday, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Louise was a 3-time breast cancer survivor. 

A native of Pensacola, but has lived as a resident of Mobile, Alabama, for 51 years.  Louise was born to Josephine Clifford and Henry T. Lenz in her family home on Barrancas Avenue in Pensacola. She graduated from Pensacola High School in 1946. Not long after she graduated, she married the love of her life, Rev. Wayne P. Jarrard in June 21, 1946, in the living room of her Barrancas Avenue home in Pensacola. They had met at a New Year’s Eve Watch Night service on December 31, 1945, at the First Baptist Church of Pensacola. 

After their marriage, Louise followed her husband in the family car business, first with her brother-in-law in Pensacola and with her sister-in-law and her husband in Quincy, Florida. 

Louise’s husband contracted tuberculosis and was later healed from the disease. During his time in quarantine, her husband felt a call into ministry, and they moved to DeLand, Florida to begin his education in religious ministry at Stetson University. Louise and Wayne had 3 children, Alan, Cindy, and Jon. 

Louise enjoyed the ministry of being a Pastor’s wife and was Rev. Jarrard’s pianist at each church he served. They served at the First Baptist Church of DeLeon Springs, Florida, Northside Baptist Church in DeLand, Florida, the First Baptist Church of Oakland Park, Florida, and North Hill Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. Louise finest honor as a Pastor’s wife was serving along with her husband at the Providence Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, for 32 years. After her husband’s death, Louise faithfully served as a church member for 14 years at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Theodore, Alabama. 

At Providence, she was the pianist, secretary, and treasurer of the church. She taught the ladies Sunday School class and cooked for every occasion at the church. During Revivals, Louise and her husband hosted the evangelists in their home and cooked all of their meals.  One of Louise’s favorite ministries at Providence was the food pantry. She would buy, many times with her own money, the food to stock the pantry and distribute to those in need with no questions asked. 

Outside of Providence, Louise was given an opportunity not long after to moving to Mobile in 1972 to become the full-time organist at Roche-Belmany Funeral Home under the direction of the late Bob Belmany. She served with Belmany Funeral Home until they were purchased by Radney’s Funeral Home. She would continue to fill in as needed at Radney, Mobile Memorial, and Pine Crest Funeral Homes. She served well over 10,000 families during her 40-year career. She worked with just about every minister or priest and every denomination in Mobile County. 

Her greatest prize in life was her family. Along with her husband, she loved her 3 children, 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She loved cooking for her family and until her health declined, she had Sunday dinner prepared after each morning church service. Her most requested dish from both family and guests was her chicken and rice dish with lettuce and egg salad. Louise also loved to play golf and while her husband was living, they would regularly play Skyline Country Club, Spring Hill, Gulf Pines, and Azalea City Golf Clubs. She also loved playing dominoes with the family and with grandchildren learned how to play many of the classic Atari games. She also loved the Atlanta Braves and Alabama Crimson Tide. 

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine Clifford Lenz and Henry Theodore Lenz; brother and sister-in-law, Clifford and Mary Lenz; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and John Ackerman; son, Alan Jarrard; son in law, Clyde Sweet; daughter in law, Rebecca Jarrard; and grandson, Joseph Jarrard. 

Louise is survived by her daughter, Cindy Sweet of Mobile; son, Jon Jarrard, Sr. of Elgin, South Carolina; daughter in law, Judi Jarrard of Statesboro, Georgia; and grandchildren, Daniel Leonard of Mobile, Dennis ( Michele) of Silverhill, Alabama, J.J. Jarrard of Ashford, Alabama, Christina Ellenburg of Ashford, Alabama, Blair ( Jenny) Jarrard of Statesboro, Georgia, Rebecca Widener of Chicago, Illinois, Jon Jarrard, Jr. of Elgin, South Carolina, Timothy Jarrard ( Amanda) of Elgin, South Carolina, and Blake Jarrard of Statesboro, Georgia. She also leaves behind several loving nieces and nephews and her precious dog, Lucy. 

Many thanks to special caregivers in Nell, Darlene Goodman, Tammy Huffman, her doctor Dr. Steven Alsip and the staff at Springhill Hospice. 

Her Celebration of Life service will be at Lighthouse Baptist Church on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with a visitation at 3:00 PM and funeral at 4:00 PM. A private burial for family will take place at a later date at Barrancas National Cemetery at Pensacola NAS. There will be evening meal provided for those who like to fellowship with the family after the funeral. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen Daugherty, Timothy Daugherty, Beckham Jarrard, Blair Jarrard, Timothy Jarrard, Daniel Leonard, Dennis Leonard, and Nathan Leonard.

The family will welcome flowers, but as you feel led, please send a donation in her memory to the Missions Fund c/o Lighthouse Baptist Church 6905 Nan Gray Davis Rd. Theodore, Alabama 36582. 

Online condolences may be given at www.mobilefhc.com. Mobile Funeral Home and Crematory - Mobile, Alabama.

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