A Tribute
In honor of the thousands of dedicated and unselfish former teachers of the Orleans Parish School System, today, All Saints Day, we pay tribute to the remarkable men and women who poured their lives into others. Although many are deceased, the legacies of their lives continue to shape destinies. We are grateful for their skills and sensitivities. We are grateful for their unselfish giving. We are grateful to the extraordinary teachers who were “Saints” in the classroom. Mrs. Mary Jane Jordan Willard, a teacher at the New Orleans Urban League Street Academy, Alfred Lawless Junior High School and John McDonogh Senior High School, was such a classroom “Saint”. In honor of Mrs. Willard’s great love for her family, friends and students, we offer this special recognition and commendation.
In Memoriam
Mrs. Mary Jane Jordan Willard was a graduate of Booker T. Washington Senior High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree as a Magna
Cum Laude Graduate from Southern University at New Orleans at the age of fifty four. During her youth. Mrs. Willard was known as a fierce athlete with a heightened competitive spirit and the heart of a true champion. Mrs. Willard was an exceptionally talented basketball star. Desiring to mentor young girls, she served as the St Raymond’s Catholic Youth Organization’s girls basketball head coach. A gifted and artistic synchronized swimmer, Mrs. Willard demonstrated exemplary water skills, great strength, endurance and amazing grace. In addition to her outstanding athletic abilities, Mrs. Willard possessed keen intellect and a deep spiritual awareness.
With a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of young children, Mrs. Willard began assisting in the classroom as a volunteer. It was then, she realized her true calling as an educator. For several years, she prepared students for their GED, as an instructor with the New Orleans Urban League Street Academy. She was also a counselor with the Louisiana Department of Family Services. For more than twenty years she taught Social Studies at Alfred Lawless Junior High School and John McDonogh Senior High School. Mrs. Willard was an exemplary educator who understood the needs and challenges of her students. She often purchased students uniforms and school supplies, provided bus tokens when needed, and even made home visits to meet with the parents of struggling students.
During the Administration of Mayor Sydney Barthelemy, Mrs. Willard founded and directed the Total Achievement Problem Prevention (TAPP) Program, which operated in the St. Bernard Gymnasium. This program contributed to the reduction of the school dropout rate, particularly for girls and became a model for similar initiatives throughout New Orleans.
In 2012, Mrs. Mary Jane Willard laid to rest the love of her life and husband of more than 60 years, Dr. Elliot C. Willard. From their union, twelve children were born: Cynthia, Elliot, Jr., Regina (Joseph), Jacinta, Walter (Valerie), Christopher (Rhonda), Bernadette (Rufus), Dominic (Terrie), Martin (Nia), Benedict (Diane), Lucita (Patrick), and Katherine. In addition to her more than forty grandchildren and over twenty – five great grandchildren, Mrs. Willard was loved by the thousands of school children whom she taught.
On the Feast Day of the Guardian Angels, Mrs. Mary Jane Willard responded to the Lord’s irresistible call and received her crown. She joins with the Apostle Paul declaring to her beloved family and friends, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth, there is laid up for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Providentially born on All Saints Day, Mrs. Mary Jane Willard was truly an earthly saint to her loving and grateful family, friends and students. She is now a heavenly saint.
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of Executive Appraisers Louisiana, an MBE-certified real estate appraisal firm, and EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu
Publisher — Black Source Media
Jeff Thomas
Publisher • Opinion Columnist • Licensed General Contractor • Real Estate Appraiser • New Orleans
Jeff Thomas is the publisher of Black Source Media and one of New Orleans’ most direct voices on civic affairs, economic justice, and Louisiana politics. He writes from the intersection of experience and accountability — as a licensed general contractor,a tech company founder and executive with over 30 years experience, and a businessman who has worked across the city’s civic, media, and construction ecosystems for decades.
His Sunday column covers Louisiana legislative politics, insurance discrimination, housing policy, and the forces shaping Black community life in New Orleans and across the state. Thomas writes in the tradition of Black journalists who hold power accountable without apology — building arguments from data, delivering verdicts from evidence, and speaking to Black New Orleans with the directness the moment demands.
He is also the principal of Executive Appraisers Louisiana, an MBE-certified real estate appraisal firm, and EA Inspection Services, LLC, a government inspection services company. Black Source Media is his platform for the civic conversation New Orleans has needed and too rarely had.
Selected Articles by Jeff Thomas
Black Neighborhoods Pay the Highest Insurance Rates in Louisiana. Here’s What They Don’t Want You to Know.
They Didn’t Yell the N-Word. They Went to Law School, Bided Their Time, and Rewrote the Constitution Instead.
Vappie vs. Morrell: Why Does Justice Look Different in New Orleans?
The State Has the Money. New Orleans East Just Needs Them to Use It.
The Failure of Mitch Landrieu