Laura Russell Guchereau Jacobson
Published 11:14 am Thursday, April 19, 2012
Laura Russell Guchereau Jacobson, 92, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at Belmont Gardens.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Christ Episcopal Church with burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service Friday at the church.
Laura was born in Vicksburg on July 23, 1919, and spent her entire life in Vicksburg. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen Arnold Russell Sr. and Louise Klein Russell; husbands, Charles Miller Guchereau and Charles Richard Jacobson; brother, Stephen Arnold Russell Jr. of Fort Worth, Texas; sister, Balfour Simrall Kincaid of Belzoni; and stepson, Harry Jacobson.
Vicksburg’s history was a special love of Laura’s and she served as a guide at the Vicksburg National Military Park for a number of years. As the great-granddaughter of Dr. William T. and Emma Balfour and John Alexander and Elizabeth Klein, she was especially proud that her family was instrumental in establishing Vicksburg as a thriving community.
A lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church, she was the first female to be elected to the Christ Church Vestry. An active member of the Ladies Guild of Christ Church, Laura served in many capacities including washing and ironing linens, preparing the altar for services and cutting and arranging fresh flowers for the altar. She loved the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and was seen cooking and serving as long as she was able.
An active and vibrant lady, Laura was one of the earliest members of the Vicksburg Art Association and was an accomplished oil painter. She loved the outdoors and, in her younger days, would hunt with her husband at the old Warren County Hunting and Fishing Club and go fly fishing at Long Lake Fishing Club. She was a member of the Clear Creek Ladies Golf Association where she spent many hours perfecting her swing.
Among her interests were the Community Concert series and the Little Theatre productions.
She had a wandering spirit and traveled throughout the U.S., Europe and northern Africa.
Survivors include two daughters, Alice Guchereau Portwood and Pamela Guchereau Melsheimer, both of Vicksburg; stepson, Ron Jacobson; stepdaughters, Sandra Cooper and Miriam Emerson; granddaughter, Pamela Portwood McFerrin and her husband, Elvin, of Vicksburg; grandsons, Robert John Portwood and his wife, Leigh, of Clinton, Charles Jeffery Portwood and his wife, Tracy, of Lufkin, Texas, Robert Ross Melsheimer and his wife, Tammy, of Brandon; and five great-grandchildren, Barry Barnett of Greenwood, Katie Barnett of Vicksburg, Shelby Portwood and John Portwood, both of Lufkin, Marleigh Portwood and Clinton, Sean and Jakob Melsheimer, all of Brandon.
Pallbearers will be Barry Barnett, Ron Jacobson, Elvin McFerrin, Ross Melsheimer, Robert Portwood, Jeff Portwood and John Portwood.
Honorary pallbearers will be Christine Carroll, Wanda Bracey, Betty Clark, Marilyn Harris, Dwan Williams, Helena Williams, Connie Hinman, Dave and Brenda Benway, Jane Calhoun, Virginia Monsour, Corinne Stockton, Mike and Mary Chaney, Sarah Baker, Dr. Daniel Edney and the staffs of Belmont Gardens and Advantage Hospice.
Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church.