Joy Jackson, Scholar Of La. History, Is Dead
Times Picayune 06-10-1996

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Joy Juanita Jackson, a professor of history at Southeastern Louisiana
University in Hammond and author of a book on New Orleans history, died
Thursday at Baton Rouge Medical Center. She was 67.

Jackson, a professor at Southeastern since 1966, also had been director of the
school's Center for Regional Studies since 1980 and the university archivist
since 1981.

Her 1969 book, "New Orleans in the Gilded Age: Politics and Urban Progress,
1880-1896" is considered an important work on 19th century New Orleans and is
being reprinted by the Louisiana Historical Association.

Another book, "Where the River Runs Deep," published in 1993, captures the
life of her father, Mississippi River boat pilot Oliver Jackson, as well as
the history and folklore of the river.

Jackson was the first woman president of the Louisiana Historical Association,
and was a fellow of the organization.

She was born in New Orleans and earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral
degrees in history from Tulane University.

Before joining the Southeastern faculty, she taught history at Nicholls State
University. She was a feature writer for The Times-Picayune in the 1950s.

She recently was awarded the University of Southwestern Louisiana Center for
Louisiana Studies' James William Rivers Prize. The prize recognizes those who
have "contributed significantly through outstanding scholarly study, work or
teaching to the culture, history, art, architecture, flora, fauna, music,
literature, law or geography of Louisiana."

As director of the Center for Regional Studies, Dr. Jackson began an extensive
oral history program in 1974 and was curator of a number of collections of
photographs, papers and memorabilia from such figures as former Gov. Jimmie
Davis and former U.S. Rep. James Morrison.

Her exhibits at the center included "Piney Woods People," an exhibition of 149
photographs depicting the history of the logging industry. Other exhibits
illustrated local maritime history, World War II in the South Pacific, St.
Joseph altars and Livingston Parish's Hungarian heritage.

"This is another tragic loss for Louisiana history," said Roman Heleniak, head
of Southeastern's history and government department. "Just a week or so ago we
lost (longtime New Orleans newspaperman and historian) Charles 'Pie' Dufour.
It's also a great loss to Southeastern. In all the years I've known Joy, her
students always regarded her as one of our best teachers."

A memorial service will be held today at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church,
707 W. Dakota St., Hammmond. Burial will be at Hope Mausoleum in New Orleans.
Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond is in charge of arrangements.