Jacqueline Means

Below are words from Jackie's loving family.

Jacqueline (Jackie) Fay Means was born in Indianapolis on January 26, 1941, and she passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on August 5, 2022.

She is survived by her three children, Deborah Kay (Albert) Ray, Earl Lewis Means, and Kenneth Allen Means; her brother, Jerry Taylor; and her sister, Janet (Charles-deceased) Whitney. She also had nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Jacqueline was preceded in death by her parents, John Earl Taylor, Sr.  and Thelma Bennett Taylor and her brother, John Earl Taylor, Jr. She was also preceded in death by former husbands, Paul Nicholas Watt and Earl Lewis Means, Sr.

As a child, Jacqueline attended Union Congregational Church, where she was said to have taught Sunday school at the age of 12. She became a gifted piano player. Jacqueline attended Emmerich Manuel High School. She was a beautiful lady with a sharp mind, having worked at Vernon Insurance, Union Carbide, RL Hartley Corporation, and finally retiring as executive secretary from Indianapolis Power and Light at the age of 62.

Jackie was a wonderful mother. She raised her three children by herself, working full-time, making delicious home-cooked meals nightly, gardening, and sewing many of their clothes. She was a meticulous housekeeper.  She planted her family in a neighborhood that afforded good schools, good friends, and many opportunities. Earl and Kenny were both able to enjoy speed-skating, baseball, basketball, as well as other sports. Debbie was especially grateful for piano lessons from our neighbor, Oma Buckner, just across the street.

Jackie was a lover of beauty. She made our humble home on West Penway Street look like a palace. Music often filled the house with her gifted piano playing. Her yard looked like a picture from Better Homes and Gardens. Surrounded by her gorgeous flowers, Mom especially enjoyed the therapy of her pool, as did her children and grandchildren and other family and friends!

Jackie moved to Danville, Indiana in 2006. Eventually, she began her 8-year battle with Alzheimer's Dementia. For the next seven-plus years, her son Kenny, who lived with her, would become her main caregiver, with her daughter, Debbie, providing relief a couple days a week.

It was early in this struggle that she found full peace and assurance in Christ as her Savior.  This would be evidenced over and over the next few years through a simple child-like faith and a new concern for the others. “Does Nick love Jesus?” she asked after seeing him the summer of 2015.  And another time: “Does Earl love Jesus?”  “Yes, Mom, Dad and Earl both love Jesus", Debbie assured her.  One night, Al and Debbie had come by the house, and Kenny was putting Mom to bed. He had been trying to plant seeds of faith in her heart by teaching her to pray The Lord’s Prayer. So as Kenny began to pray, Mom opened her mouth, and in a sweet child-like voice, SANG The Lord’s Prayer in its entirety! Seeds that had been planted in childhood had begun to shoot forth! From that time on, The Lord’s Prayer, as well as John 3:16, was prayed over Mother at bedtime.

It was a long, challenging battle, but amidst trials and tears were many smiles, laughs, and cherished moments. The time came when Kenny, who by God’s grace had carried the biggest part of the load, “passed the torch”, and Mom was moved into Debbie’s home in Pittsboro, Indiana on May 5, 2022. She spent her last days surrounded by family and wonderful loving caregivers. Finally, our beautiful mother, Jacqueline Fay Means, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Friday morning, August 5, 2022, with daughter Debbie at her side.

Friends and family will gather at Pittsboro Baptist Church on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 10 am until the time of the service at 12 pm.  Jacqueline will be laid to rest following the service in West Ridge Park Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to Life's Journey Hospice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Pittsboro, Indiana.  All are encouraged to share thoughts, prayers, and memories with Jacqueline's family on her memorial page found on the funeral home's website, www.ericmdbellfuneralhome.com .