Jacqueline Dyer Blount

Jacqueline Dyer Blount, 68, passed away quietly, at home on Sunday, April 11, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was looking forward to meeting the Lord Jesus Christ with a peace that was an inspiration to everyone around her. Ms. Jackie, a beloved piano teacher on the Coast, shared her musical talents at home and abroad for more than 40 years. She was surrounded by her family and in the midst of an outpouring of warmth from fellow musicians, students, and Coast residents at the time of her passing. She lived a simple life of song and laughter, infusing courage and music in the hearts of everyone she touched. She loved to travel, garden, play with her dog Max, teach piano, cook and spend time with her family. As a life long pianist and talented organist, Jackie Blount served as the organist of First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs for nearly 30 years. Teaching piano to her many students brought her much happiness, as well as spending her life directing Children’s Choirs, coordinating pre-school activities and curriculum; accompanying the Ocean Springs High School Choir; instructing music at Vacation Bible School; accompanying the Ocean Springs Chorale; serving as a member of the Mississippi Music Teacher’s Association, and judging musical contests and competitions. She cared about her community and firmly believed that life is in the details, which is among the many lessons she taught her daughters. Jackie Blount leaves countless friends and family members behind, whom she cherished and would want them to know how special each and every one of them were to her. She considered all the people in her life a special gift. People close to her say Jackie Blount lived-really lived her life every day. She maintained a joyful spirit and lived a life of faith, love and selflessness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, retired Air Force Major Jack Randle Blount, Jr. She is survived by her four daughters, Leigh Coleman of Ocean Springs, MS., Allison Stewart of Canton, MS., Julie Foster of Ocean Springs, MS., and Jennifer Blount of Birmingham, AL.; four grandchildren, Erika Coleman, Jake Stewart, Sam Stewart and Abigail Stewart; one sister, Donna Marie Burkart, of Kennesaw, GA.; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, friends and family. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, from 9 AM - 11 AM, with an 11 AM church service, all at the First Baptist Church in Ocean Springs. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. A special thank you to her caregivers from Odyssey Health Care and Dr. Que and staff at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.