CROWLEY – Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 1 p.m. at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church for Bessie Dean Starring Jacob, 92, who passed away Sunday, August 10, 2008 at her residence in Crowley. Rev. Donald R. Burnette will officiate the services. Interment will be at West Crowley Cemetery.

Ms. Bessie Dean Starring was born on February 7, 1916 in Baton Rouge, La to the late Peter & Emma Hunter Starring. On Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. the last link in the Starring family chain was broken when Mrs. Bessie Dean Starring Jacob quietly and happily went on home to glory.

She accepted Christ at an early age in Baton Rouge. She united with Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1947 where she, remained until her departure from her earthly life.

Bessie Starring’s grade school years were spent at McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, LA culminating with here graduation in 1927. She pursued her higher education at Southern University & A & M College in Baton Rouge. Ms. Bessie graduated from Southern in 1931 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics & Science.

Bessie met and married Wesley M. Jacob, Jr. in 1946 and made Crowley, LA their home. To this union one (1) daughter was born, Weslyn Jacob.

Mrs. Jacob retired from the public school system on June 1, 1971 after 40 years of dedicated teaching in the Home Economics Department. She taught at McKinley High School, Baton Rouge, La. for two (2) years and 38 years in the Acadia Parish School System servicing H. C. Ross High School and then on to Crowley High School. While contemplating retirement from the school system, Mrs. Jacob started working as a dietitian servicing the nursing homes in Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry, and Vermilion parishes. She retired from dietary work after ten (10) years.

As a faithful member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, she served in several leadership capacities in her 61 year membership, namely (1) Church Financial Secretary, (2) President of the 3rd Sunday Counting Committee, (3) President of the Pastor’s Aide Society, (4) President of the Church Council, (5) Chairperson of the Church Renovation Committee, (6) Chairperson of the Centennial Committee, as well as a member of the Mary Grace Society of the Missionary Department. She loved her church and her pastor and she gladly showed it with her leadership and fellowship abilities.

Mrs. Jacob’s community involvement started in the late 1940’s as a charter member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Miller Post #506. In her active years she held the offices of president and treasurer.

She was a member of the board of directors of People’s Investment Company from 1985 to 2006 when she resigned due to ill health.

Soror Bessie S. Jacob was initiated at Southern University into Alpha Tau Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1937. She became a charter member of Crowley Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in June, 1975. She served in the capacity of chapter treasurer for sixteen (16) years and was a faithful and active member of the Crowley Chapter for 33 years until her death. Soror Jacob was instrumental in the purchase of the present site of the Sorority’s Delta House located on West 5th Street, the old People’s Investment Building - formerly the West Crowley Library.

Ms. Bessie S. Jacob will always be remembered for her expertise in finances. She didn’t believe in wasting her money or anybody else’s money and she saw to it that whatever finances she was in charge of could stand up to any auditing processes.

Bessie S. Jacob was preceded in death by her parents, 13 siblings, her ex-husband and devoted friend, Wesley M. Jacob, Jr., and her only grandson, Chad “Pimp C” L. Butler, I.

She leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her passing one daughter, Weslyn B. Monroe of Port Arthur, Texas; one surrogate daughter, Delgetha J. Guidry, Crowley; three great grandchildren, Chad L. Butler, II, Corey L. Butler, and Christian L. Butler, all of Port Arthur, Texas; one nephew, Jerome Dixxon of Port Arthur, Texas; three great nieces, Colleen Merrick and Tony Wilson of Rayville and Stephanie Starring Hardy of Vinton; two great nephews, Stephen Starring of Boston and Royce Starring of Lafayette; and one very special, devoted best friend Robert (Cynthia) Dominick of Crowley and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 14, 2008 at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until time of services.

We salute 92 years, 6 months, 18 hours, and 50 minutes of trials, tribulations, sunshine and rain.

View the obituary and sign the guest book online at www.syriefh.com.

Syrie Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.