Obituaries:  Charley Jett, Sabine Parish       J-300
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Mar 31, 1977
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


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Charley Jett (Photo)

  Charley Jett, 56, a longtime member of the Sabine Parish School
Board from Ward 1, and a civic minded businessman, died at 9:27
a.m., Sunday, March 27, in Fraser Hospital in Many, after
suffering a heart attack. Jett had been hospitalized off and on
for several weeks prior to his death.

  Charley Jett was a man who had done a lot for the parish he
lived in. He accomplished more in his 56 years than most men do
in a lifetime.

  Jett was elected to the Sabine Parish School Board, and sworn
into office in December, 1962. He was actively involved in all
Board business from that time on. Having served as President and
Vice President of the School Board, Jett was always working for
the educational needs of the parish children.

  Superintendent of Sabine Parish Schools, Wiley Cummings stated,
"The Sabine Parish School System has lost a great friend of
education." Supt. Cummings continued, "Mr. Jett was not only
interested in the Florien School, but the total educational
system of the parish. His dreams were that the Sabine Parish
School System would become one of the better school systems in
the state." He added, "His efforts along these lines will be
greatly missed."

  Shock swept the parish early Sunday, as residents and friends
learned of Jett's passing. People found it hard to put into words
exactly what Charley Jett meant to them and the schools.

  Joe Salter, Principal of the Florien School, and longtime friend
of Jett stated, "He was a fine school man to work with. He was
always interested in things of a progressive nature." Salter
continued, "Many times I went to Mr. Jett with a new proposal,
and he always sat down and listened to me. Never once did he turn
me down." Salter added, "Mr. Jett always gave me the support I
needed. We had a close working relationship, which made my job a
whole lot easier."

  Jett was serving in his third term on the School Board. He was
Chairman of the Lunchroom Committee.

  A veteran of World War II, Jett served in the United States Air
Force for four years. He was awarded an honorable discharge.

  A member of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce for a number
of years, Jett was a charter member of the Sabine Parish Tourist
Commission. Always looking ahead and thinking of ways to draw
tourists into his home parish, Jett conceived the idea of a
sportsman's newspaper. He founded and owned the 'Toledo
Sportsman', a tabloid which boasted of the finest bass lake in
the South, up until two years ago.

  Former Editor and Publisher of the Sabine News, Jett spent many
hours operating his newspaper, and bringing the news to the
people in Sabine Parish. Jett sold his newspaper two years ago,
and opened Jett Printing and Supply, located on Courthouse Street
in Many.

  Charley Jett was the type of man who never said 'no' to anyone.
When appointed to fill the Mayor of Florien position, he gladly
accepted the post. He held the office for two terms.

  Civic minded, Jett always had time for worthwhile organizations
that would better the community. He was a Mason, and a member of
the Florien Lodge, a member of the Florien Lions Club, and was a
Baptist. Jett's accomplishments and associations with numerous
groups over the years were many. He made time for everything and
everyone.

  The Florien School which is now housed in a new, modern building
was a dream come true for Mr. Jett. He worked and worked, and
finally got plans for the new school to be built in Florien. Many
people didn't want progress, but Jett pushed on. Today, other
state school officials come to Florien to look at the open room
concept that Jett knew would work at Florien.

  About 300 Sabine Parish, and Vernon Parish residents gathered at
Hornbeck Bible Baptist Church to pay tribute to Mr. Jett Monday,
March 28, at 4 p.m. It was one of the largest funerals ever
conducted in the area. Florien schools were dismissed for the
day.

  The Rev. Robert Graham, and the Rev. C. H. Welch officiated at
the services.

  The choir sang "What A Friend We Have in Jesus", and "Amazing
Grace" at the services.

  The Rev. Graham eulogized Jett in his sermon. "Charley was a
fighter. He wanted to fight for what he believed right," Rev.
Graham stated. "He loved children. Many times he should have been
with his family or at home resting, but he was involved in
helping people, and doing civic work."

  He continued, "Look at the Florien High School plant, it says
more for him than I could."

  "He probably gave away more in his short life than many of us
will ever have. He hated to see anyone suffer. He loved poor
people," Rev. Graham stated. "I am glad God let him pass my way.
He stood by me so many times."

  "I believe if Charley could come back and tell you the most
important thing on his mind, he would tell you to prepare to meet
God," the minister said. "I would like to think this evening,
that if there is anywhere Charley could be, it would be with
God."

  "We loved Charley, but his death is not the end, but the
beginning for those who are living for God. We must prepare in
this life, for after death there is no preparation," Rev. Graham
added. "God does not let things go unnoticed. The many times
Charley did something to help someone did not go unnoticed."

  Burial was in the Prewitts Chapel Cemetery near Plainview, under
the direction of the Warren Meadows Funeral Home.

  Serving as pallbearers were Joe Salter, Wiley Cummings, Homer
Martinez, R. J. Cook, Jimmy Leach, and Sidney Sanders.

  Charley Jett will be sadly missed by those who knew him. He was
a man who had the welfare of the school system, and his community
at heart.