Mrs. Jeanell Emerson Kidd's Obituary
I was born July 19, 1936 to the late Willie Pearl and Mable Grady Emerson in Meridian, MS. I was the oldest of four children. My brothers, Lorenzo and Willie Wade and my sister, Guster preceded me in death. I attended the Meridian Baptist Seminary and graduated in 1953. I received my License Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse Degrees, from Meridian Community College. I began my certification as a Family Nurse Practioner at the University of Puerto Rico and completed the certification in 1975, from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, making me the first African American female Family Nurse Practitioner in the state of MS. I worked as Lead/Head RN at Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, MS. I was the District Nurse for Mississippi Action for Progress -Head Start in Meridian and I worked as an LPN at St. Joseph Hospital and an RN at Riley Hospital in Meridian. In 1989, I became the first African American school nurse hired in the Meridian Public School District serving at Kate Griffin Junior High and Meridian High Schools from 1989 to 2005. I met and married Billy Ray Kidd. This union was blessed with two sons, Gerald and Kerry. In 1977, I was again blessed when my granddaughter, Shanel was born and became the daughter that I had always wanted to have and raise. I was a member of the R.B. Matthews Temple #739 for more than 50 years and Financial Secretary for over 40 years. I also received Past Grand Daughter Ruler Honors in Beauty and Talent. I was a member of the Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, a Commissioner for the Pat Harrison Waterway, Commissioner of the Meridian Housing Authority, a member of the Eliza Pillars Nurses of District 5, a volunteer at the MSU Riley Center, and a community activist. While serving as the Meridian Housing Authority Commissioner, the "Jeanell Kidd HOPE VI Endowment Scholarship" was approved by the MHA Board of Commissioners in August of 2004. Since its approval the scholarship has been instrumental in awarding 24 MHA residents with full 4 year scholarships totaling $1,000,088.00. In 2006, I was inducted into the Mississippi School Nurse Association Hall of Fame. My spirit and memory will be cherished and celebrated by my children, Gerald and his wife Barbara, Kerry and his wife Karen and Shanel and her son Tyler Jax.on (who is in the arms of God); grandchildren, Brandye Kidd Terrell and her husband Rapael, Kera Kidd Nicholson and her husband Alex, Jason Kidd and his wife Lensuella, Vincent Kidd and his wife Jozlyn; Great-grandchildren, Braxton and Braeden Terrell, Alex Donte', Alexis, and Amaya Nicholson, Brandon, and Jaylen Kidd, and Jaden Kidd; Great-great grandchild: Kayden Nicholson, extended family members, Danny White and his wife Tara and children Chivas, Demi and Josh, Sofia Cross and her children Demirose and Delaney; My beloved dog and companion, "Fefe Kidd", three nieces, four nephews, and a host of cousins, friends, coworkers, colleagues, church members, and students.
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