Mother Lee Ann West

Lee Ann Jacocks was born in Brownsville, Tennessee on June 21, 1930 to Alf and Iola Jacocks. She attended the Haywood County School District in Brownsville where she met and married James West, Sr. Lee Ann and James moved to St. Louis, Missouri and started their life together there. They were married for over 35 years. To this union they added eight children. She also had five loving nieces and nephews, Calvin Young, Lester Young, Michelle Young, Deborah Young and Carl Young, whom she cared for as her own after the death of her sisters. Two sisters, Earline West and Shawn Russell, two sons, Anthony Rickey and James Jr., and two grandchildren, Aisha Johnson and Arnold J. Grice, preceded her in death.

Lee Ann accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal savior at an early age. She attended Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church for many years. After leaving there she attended St. James Missionary Baptist church. She was instrumental in starting Influence Church. Lee Ann was 1 of 5 founding members of Influence Church where she faithfully attended and served. She was extremely proud to be a member of Influence Church where she enjoyed the worship and fellowship. Lee Ann was overjoyed to see what God had done in her grandson’s life.

She was the first African American woman to work in Famous Barr’s restaurant downtown St. Louis where she remained over 5 years. She also worked in environmental services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital from where she retired. She loved her job and enjoyed interacting with the children and their families. Lee Ann was an exceptional stay-at-home mother most of her life.

Lee Ann had a gift of spreading love wherever she went, sometimes not saying much; but just a hug or kiss on the cheek said it all. She loved everyone and had a genuine heart which she displayed wherever she went. She would always greet her grand- daughters with “hello beautiful” and was affectionately known to most as “Granny”. She had a special loving cousin, Marie that she communicated with frequently over many years.

She leaves to cherish her memory five daughters, Judy Herron, Shirley Ball, Iola West, Belinda West, Renda (John) Bradley, and one son Houston (Marissa) West. She also leaves two brothers, Houston and Dennis Jacocks, and three sisters, Brenda (Lamon) Irby, Debra (Carl) Noble, and Darla Minor. She leaves five loving sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Elnora, Florida, Glenn, Ruby Mae and Willie Allen West. Lee Ann leaves a host of over 70 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grand- children, and many loving relatives and friends.

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