Jessie Guidry

Jessie L. Guidry

Sunrise October 25, 1939 – Sunset June 14, 2026

Jessie Lawrence Guidry, known lovingly to many as "JC," passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, at the age of 86, in Welsh, Louisiana. Born October 25, 1939, in Shuteston, Louisiana, to the late Jesse Guidry and Laura Chavis, JC was a man who lived a full and meaningful life. JC spent the majority of his life in Jennings, Louisiana, and graduated from JD High School in 1958. He went on to build a long and dedicated career working at the Zigler Shipyard, Superior Oil Company, and Exxon Mobil Oil Company, where he worked for over 20 years before retiring in 2000. Never one to sit idle, he took a job as a custodian at Ward Elementary School after retirement, bringing the same quiet work ethic he carried throughout his life.

JC married the love of his life, Alberta, and together they built a beautiful family. He was a quiet but wise man, patient, kind, and giving. Unless, of course, you sat across from him at a card or domino table, where a different side of JC came alive. He was always spotted with his trusty Yeti cup and, maybe most importantly, his beloved Miller Light.

JC was a force to be reckoned with on the pitcher's mound, spending many years as the nastiest pitcher on the mound for the Mermentau Raiders, a title his friends and teammates would readily confirm. He was a proud, long-time member of the Knights of Peter Claver and Club 21 of Jennings. When he wasn't involved in the community, you could find him on one of his legendary long walks, sometimes covering six miles a day, or fishing, hunting, working on word search puzzles, enjoying lottery scratch-offs, or taking rides in his loud green truck. He loved to dance, and everybody knows the famous "PawPaw Dance," a move his grandchildren named after him. If you ever saw JC on a dance floor, you understood why. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports.

JC is survived by his devoted wife, Alberta Guidry; his sons, Dwayne Guidry (Lisa), Tysen Guidry (Mieshia), and Demetrius Manual; his daughters, Gayle Ned, Dawn McGuire (Kennard), and his goddaughter, Angela Lewis (Harold); his brother, Sidney Babineaux; his grandchildren, Chanelle Reese (Terrance), Daimen Guidry (Tracy), Shayla Ned, Krystal Ned, Mariah Guidry-Martin (Brian), Tylen Guidry, Masin Williams, Kennedy McGuire, Tayvian Guidry, Sydni Parhm, and Kennard McGuire II; his nine great-grandchildren; his dear loved caregiver family members Norma Kelly, Marie Priscilla Taylor, Tarnesha Moore, Miltiesha Seymore, Willa Ruth Scott, Marion Tonette Berry, Stephanie Arceneaux, Dianne Moore, and Audrey Jane Jones, along with a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Wylie Lee Hawkins; his parents, his stepfather, Russel Rideaux; his brother, Harold McZeal (Arlene); his grandparents, Louis Chavis, Sr., and Ophelia Taylor Chavis; his loving nephew, Mack Segura; and his goddaughter, Linda Bush.

Visitation will be held on June 27, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Semien-Lewis Mortuary, 819 N. State Street, Jennings, Louisiana, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 920 Broadway Street, Jennings, Louisiana. Reverend Jude Fernando, TOR, will officiate.  Burial will follow in Peterson Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, LA.

As Psalm 23:2-3 says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." Rest easy, Jessie, you walked your miles, you played your hand, and you danced your dance. Now, rest in those green pastures, walk those quiet paths, and be refreshed and at peace forevermore.