Jacqueline Ann Hirst

Jacqueline Ann Hirst went to her final resting place in heaven, Monday, August 30, 2021. Jackie was born September 9, 1943 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Elton R. and Mildred S. Williams. Jackie grew up in Kenner, Louisiana and attended Dillard University in New Orleans. She graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a Master of Social Work. Jackie married her childhood sweetheart, Ebenezer Hirst IV, in December of 1965. He was a member of the United States Air Force, so she traveled with him to four locations in the United States. She worked for the Head Start Program in Caddo, Webster and Bossier Parish School Boards as a Special Education Evaluator for gifted and special needs kids. Jackie felt it was a privilege to provide assistance to children that needed help, it was her calling, and she enjoyed every minute of it. During Christmas time, Jackie would solicit the chain stores for toys and gifts for under privileged children that she knew would get little to nothing. She would also ask her young son to contribute the toy he loved most, as a way of teaching him giving and sharing were more important than possessions. Jackie provided after care counseling services at a mental health hospital in Shreveport for a number of years. She then decided to open her private practice, Discovery Counseling in Shreveport, where she practiced for nearly twenty years. She provided adult, adolescent, family and forensic counseling. Jackie was licensed and certified in a number of specialties in her field, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Social Worker, Qualified Clinical Social Worker, Clinically Certified Forensic Counselor, Certified Criminal Justice Specialist, Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, and Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor. She was also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Mrs. Hirst once stated, "I'm a giver and I love to help people. It feels wonderful when you can see that you are making a difference in people's lives. That's where my heart is. That's where my soul is, and I thank God for allowing me to do what I do." She gladly shared her wisdom with family and friends whenever they asked for help. Jackie is preceded in death by her daughter, Justine M. Hirst, her father and her sisters, Janice and Elaine. Left to cherish her memories is her husband of 56 years, Ebenezer Hirst IV; mother, Mildred; son, Eric B. Hirst and wife, Ebonie; daughter, Linda M. Price and husband, Shelby; sister, Rosaline Bourges and husband, Arthur; grandson, Elijah M. Hirst; granddaughters, Jeanine M. Griffin and husband, Christopher, Veronica Price and Gary, Shontelle, Traclyn and Arianna; goddaughters, Jacqueline Yevette Bell and husband, Tracy and Patricia Sprinkle; longtime friends, Vera, Lula, Norma and Sherry; two great-granddaughters, five great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Jackie's vibrant and full of life spirit will be dearly missed but will live on in the memories of all of those fortunate to be in her presence for any amount of time. A special thank you goes out to all the family, friends and neighbors who have shared their prayers, cares, concerns and offers of help. She was loved dearly by many but will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held at a later date in New Orleans, Louisiana.