Obituary: Jeanette Plauche’ Parker, Former Faculty Member

A service of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1030 Johnston Street, for Jeanette Plauché Parker, who passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026 at home surrounded by family. The Reverend Matthew Ainsley will celebrate the Funeral Mass, followed by inurnment of ashes in the church’s columbarium.

Jeanette was born in Lake Charles on October 14, 1934, the daughter of Stephen Eugene and Janette Vitello Plauché. In 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, Luther George Parker. In 1957, after earning their undergraduate degrees at LSU, they moved to Lafayette; it was here that Jeanette discerned her vocation to become an educator and began her career as founder of Ascension Day School (now Ascension Episcopal School). She later taught elementary school, started the Lafayette Parish Gifted Program, earned her doctorate from the University of Georgia, and joined the faculty of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where she was an Endowed Professor and founding director of the Center for Gifted Education. At her 2004 retirement she was named Professor Emerita.

Jeanette was a devout Christian who over the years served her church in many capacities, including as a member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension Vestry and the Ascension Episcopal School Board, which named her Trustee Emerita in 2013. In 2023, she received the Rector’s Award for distinguished service to Ascension Parish.

Jeanette was active locally, serving on Lafayette’s Economic Development Task Force and the Vision Lafayette project, and as accreditation editor for the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lafayette Natural History Museum Association, and member of the Museum Commission. She was known nationally for her contributions to the establishment of professional standards for graduate programs in gifted education, was active in numerous professional organizations and widely published in her field, and received numerous professional awards. In 2010 she was named a Trailblazer in The Independent newspaper’s recognition of Women Who Mean Business. She loved writing and in 2021 published her fourth book, Bendel Gardens: An Historic Treasure in Lafayette, Louisiana-the history of the Lafayette subdivision in which she and George had lived for over 20 years.

Jeanette is survived by two sons, James Stephen and George Thomas Parker of Lafayette, and her daughter-in-law, Tracey Barnabei Parker of Frisco, Texas; five grandchildren, Alec Parker and his wife Roya, Kyle Parker, Jordan Parker, Annie Parker and her husband Jacob LeMarié, and Erin Parker; and three great granddaughters, Everleigh LeMarié and Audrey and Dakota Parker. She is also survived by her lifelong friend, Craig Gorham Shaddock of Lake Charles; her stepmother’s grandchildren-Steve, Mary (Jones), and Nancy (Clements) Shaddock, and Carolyn, Mary, and Terrell Woosley; and three godchildren, Carol Hamilton Hunt, Mark Hamilton, and Anthony Mirabile. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Luther George Parker; a son, Robert William Parker; her parents; her stepmother, Edith Burton Shaddock Plauché; her stepsister, Evelyn Shaddock Murray, and her very special stepbrother, Bill Shaddock.

The family would like to give special thanks to Virginia Broussard, Sonia Deal, and Hospice of Acadiana for the loving care they provided to Jeanette.

Friends who wish to make memorial donations in Jeanette’s name are invited to consider the Episcopal Church of the Ascension or Ascension Episcopal School (1030 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70501) or the UL Lafayette Foundation (P. O. Box 44290, Lafayette, LA 70504-4290).

Visitation will be held at Martin and Castille Funeral Home’s DOWNTOWN location (330 St. Landry Street Lafayette, LA 70506) from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday, April 17, 2026.

View Jeanette’s full obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.

Martin & Castille Funeral Home – DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 337-234-2311

Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas:
Jeanette was a close colleague while we were at the university. A brief visit with her brought out her dedication to education, especially gifted education. It was a pleasure to work cooperatively with her for many years as she promoted education at the university and beyond. She was indeed a blessing to all her colleagues who knew her and the many who benefitted from her efforts to improve education.
Peace, Ed Dugas