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Sept. 14, 1926 – Jan. 16, 2024

FERRIDAY – Jean Rabb, known to family and friends as Mama, Maw-Maw, Aunt Jean, or Jean, dearly loved them all and was loved by all. Jean was a “Steel Magnolia” – a Southern lady with abounding grace, poise, and unwavering fortitude, but also common sense and a quick wit. She was a pleasure to be around, whether she was making you laugh, dishing out advice, imparting wisdom, or radiating a quiet comfort and sense of peace simply by her presence. She was an inspiration and shining light throughout her 97 wonderful years of life on this Earth.

She was born Sept. 14, 1926, and was a lifelong resident of Ferriday and a graduate of Ferriday High School where she was a five-year letterman in basketball. She loved riding her horse, Dan, in the early days of Ferriday. Jean was the oldest living member of Ferriday Methodist Church where she was an enthusiastic member of the Love Action Circle. She loved her family, church, and friends. She married Theo Montgomery Rabb on Feb. 24, 1946, who said he was going to marry her the first day they met. They raised three sons, Morris, Mike, and Mark, and spent the final years of a beautiful 61-year marriage on Lake Concordia. She not only took pride in her appearance but also in her home and yard. She was a colorful character and always made you laugh when you were around. She was a genuine lady with lovely manners, style, and the ability to make those around her comfortable and at ease. Of course, she also had strong opinions, plenty of advice, and would call a “spade a spade.” Her sons were the light of her life, and she had no problems teaching them to be the good men they are today. They made her so proud.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Theo Montgomery Rabb; her son, Mark Galloway Rabb; her sister, Lucille Galloway House; her brother, Charles E. Brakenridge, and her parents, Amelia (Mealy) and Morris Galloway.

She is survived by her sons, Theo Morris Rabb (Mary Polk), Michael Montgomery Rabb (Mary Hazlip); her grandchildren, Jeffrey (Ginger), John (Dee), Stewart (Kari), Rebecca (Stan), Michael (Julianna), Mark (Brea); nieces and nephews, Jackie Adams Young, Jack (Buddy) Adams Jr., Clara Nell Adams Brown, Tim Adams, Iva Irvin Ward, Lee Irvin, Joe Irvin, and Anna Brakenridge Ferguson, and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a special niece, Phyllis House McDonald, and a special nephew, Charles E. Brakenridge, Jr., who were a huge part of her life.

We want to bestow a special thank you to her caregiver, Lisa Parker. They made wonderful memories together, especially in the kitchen. Thank you, also, to her sitters, Phyllis White and Dee Keith.

Through your unforgettable impact on our lives, your life and legacy will endure. We have been immeasurably blessed by having you in our lives. We pray that we may bless others by and through the blessing of the amazing life you lived and shared with us.

A poet expressed it in this way:

One is not gone who brought laughter to the lives of others in such a warm and caring way, one is not lost who touched the lives of all around with freely given friendship, one is not forgotten who found the way to other’s hearts and mapped a route to love.

The visitation and celebration of her life will be on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Young’s Funeral Home, Ferriday. Her graveside service will follow at Natchez City Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. Pastor Brian Mercer will officiate. Under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Rabb, John Rabb, Stewart Rabb, Michael M. Rabb Jr., John Maverick Rabb, Charles Brakenridge Jr., Bruin Harrison, and Kenner Harrison.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Concordia Parish Library or Ferriday Methodist Church.