Thelma Jean Ebarb Bailey

Thelma Jean Ebarb Bailey, age 75, entered into eternal rest April 16, 2017 in Shreveport. Funeral services were held April 22, 2017 at Evergreen Baptist Church in Shreveport. Burial followed at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery in Zwolle. “Jeanie,” as she was affectionately called, was born June 17, 1941 to Lawrence Ebarb and Maggie Rivers Ebarb of Ebarb. Born the second of eight children, she was the fifth child to pass away. Jeanie attended Ebarb School until 1955. That fall she entered the Convent of the Holy Spirit & Mary Immaculate in San Antonio, Texas where she became a Postulant in that order of Nuns in the Catholic Church. She remained there 15 years, attending high school and college and teaching in schools in Louisiana and Texas. She attended college classes at Incarnate Word College and at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas. Later she received her Master’s Degree from University of Texas. Jeanie taught school in Dallas, San Antonio and Shreveport. In 1980, Jeanie came to Shreveport and began working for the Caddo Parish School Board. She was a Guidance Counselor in Shreveport before she retired. She also served as a Crisis Counselor where anyone facing a crisis in their personal life could call and receive help on the phone. For 10 years, she served as a Religious Director in a Hospice program. She also visited Azalea Assisted Living Center and ministered to the residents there. Her interests included her Church, family and reading. Jeanie was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Shreveport where she enjoyed working in whatever capacity needed. She devoted much time and energy to various organizations until her health began to fail. Like her mother, Jeanie was an impeccable dresser, who loved to wear vivid colors. She was a talented artist and decorator. She painted beautiful oil paintings in her spare time and helped decorate a number of parish churches. She will be remembered for her loving nature and beautiful smile. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Elizabeth Anne Broadway and Joyce Katie Richard; and brothers Donald Ebarb and Lawrence F. “Duce” Ebarb. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, James E. Bailey of Shreveport; siblings, Helen Lucas, Mary O’Bannon, and Ray Ebarb; and by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.