Shirley Jourdan Gottschalck Watkins' Obituary
Shirley Jourdan Gottschalck Watkins, age 96, of Folsom, Louisiana, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026. She was born on November 2, 1929, in Folsom, Louisiana. Her kindness and love touched so many lives, and her memory will always be a blessing.
She is survived by her three devoted daughters, Patricia Gottschalck Dedon, Judy Gottschalck Dutruch (Kenny), and Connie Gottschalck Moore (Rick); grandchildren, Micah Cefalu (Melissa), Ryan Cefalu (Staci), Adam Cefalu, Richard Moore (Amber), David Moore (Stacey), and Jordan Major; sixteen great-grandchildren and many extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Charles Gottschalck and Charles Watkins; her parents, William Ellis Jourdan and Mamie Willie Jourdan; and siblings, Donis Jenkins, William Ellis Jourdan Jr., Estelle Hrivnak, Lawrence Jourdan, Arlene Coltora, Charles Jourdan, and James Bryant Jourdan.
Shirley loved growing up in a big family. She felt that being part of a big family means you are part of something wonderful. It made her feel protected and loved, and she felt her seven brothers and sisters were God’s gift to her.
She was a member of Madisonville and Covington Garden Clubs as well as First Baptist Church of Covington and Caroline Anderson’s Sunday School Class. Shirley’s Sunday School Class is where she expressed her deep passion for helping others. She loved the work and the fellowship that came from being part of this very special group of caring and devoted women of God.
Shirley served as Justice of the Peace in St. Tammany Parish for over 40 years. She served as President of the Louisiana Justices of the Peace and Constables Association for eight years and was very active in local politics. She was also involved in many numerous civic and social groups, volunteering for over 30 years with the St. Tammany Parish Fair Association. Shirley loved gardening, flower arranging, and was especially good at growing vegetables. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting trips out west to Colorado and Texas. She also enjoyed watching LSU and New Orleans Saints football games, but, most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family—Shirley felt that the love of family is life’s greatest blessing.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.” -Ronald Reagan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 11:00 PM at The Chapel at First Baptist Church of Covington, 16054 Murphy Road, Covington, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. Interment will follow in Bennett Cemetery, 1002 Bennett Cemetery Road, Folsom, Louisiana.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Mrs. Shirley’s family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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