Jacqueline Lassiter

Jacqueline Calhoun Lassiter, 87, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Zephyrhills, Florida. The family will receive friends 12:00 noon, Sunday, May 7th. The service will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, Georgia. The burial will immediately follow the service at Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta. Jackie was born in Fairfield, Alabama on May 26, 1929. She survived a challenging childhood and was raised essentially by extended family. She married the late L.W. Lassiter of Lucedale, Mississippi and lived most of her adult life in Marietta, Georgia with her family. Despite being severely injured as a passenger in two automobile crashes and surviving cancer twice, she lived a very active life engaged in civic and political causes. Jackie was a lifelong believer in the value of education, the welfare of children, and the importance of community involvement. She embodied these beliefs as an active member of the League of Women Voters in Georgia at the state and local level and served as state education chairman for the League. She was an active member of the Cobb County Democratic Party and, later in life, was a founding member of the Mountain Area Democrats in Cashiers, North Carolina. Jackie was a member of the National Committee for the Support of Public Schools, past president of Hickory Hills Elementary School, founding member of the Cobb County Youth Museum, past chairman of the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, and served on the board of the Museum of Fine Arts in Cobb County. Jackie worked tirelessly for social and economic justice and believed political causes were the most worthwhile for effectively enacting positive change that can improve lives. In 1970, Jackie was an early supporter of gubernatorial candidate Jimmy Carter who appointed her to co-direct the women’s division of his successful gubernatorial campaign. As a member of the Peanut Brigade, Jackie campaigned actively for President Carter in his bid for the White House. She remained an avid supporter of the Carter Center over the years and believed strongly in the causes supported by the Carter Center. She continued her advocacy in her professional career as deputy director of the State of Georgia Consumer Affairs Bureau. She later founded Jacqueline Lassiter Associates, a consulting firm which counseled utilities nationally on consumer issues, especially those issues affecting low income families. She always exhibited strong compassion and concern for those less fortunate than her and was a strong voice against injustice. Jackie wanted her family and friends to know that she felt very blessed to have such wonderful people in her life. She enjoyed many friendships over the years and in her later life reflected warmly about her bonds with friends. She also wanted to be remembered as a person who loved life, loved her family and found joy and beauty in music. She especially loved to gather with family to play and sing songs. Her musical legacy and her commitment to social justice will continue to enrich and inspire her family. She is survived by her children Mark Lassiter and his wife Debbie, of Highlands, North Carolina and Robin Lassiter Frank and her husband Walter of Tampa Florida; granddaughter Lindsay Frank Butts and her husband Zachary, and grandsons Adam Frank, Kyle Lassiter, and Clayton Lassiter. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity that benefits the welfare of children or donations can be made to cartercenter.org. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

Jacqueline Lassiter

May 26, 1929 - April 26, 2017