Coach Barbara Jean Jacket Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Life Reflections of the Legend “Barbara Jacket” Coach Barbara Jean Jacket, the oldest of three children, was born December 26, 1934 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Eva Pickney and Raymond Jaquet. As a youth, she competed in several sports and was very active in social activities. She was loved by teachers, close friends, and teammates, namely Arreada P. Guidry. In 1958, Barbara received a Bachelor of Science from the Tuskegee University and in 1968 earned a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University. Coach Jacket began her career as a basketball coach in Eufaula, Alabama before joining Prairie View A&M University as a swim instructor in 1964. Her love ones were precious to her. Pouring into nieces, nephews, cousins, and track girls was done with every breath she took in efforts to frame their lives for success. In 1977, Coach Jacket surrendered her life to Christ. She was a faithful and active member of First Peter Missionary Baptist Church, Hempstead, Texas for more than 35 years. From 2012 until her passing, Coach Jacket was a beloved Church Mother of New Faith Ministries, Hempstead, Texas. Because of her love and devotion for Christ, many of her students, friends and loved ones also gave their lives to Christ Jesus. Coach Jacket was a soul winner; her declaration to life was Jesus, family, education, and athletics. She was a faithful tither, committed servant and dedicated congregant. She is most remembered for starting her day by giving God thanks and for ending each day on her knees in prayer! Coach Jacket loved the Lord so much, she often spoke of this day and how she would finally unite with baby brother “Johnny” and mother “Eva Pickney” for a heavenly family reunion. She even planned out every detail of her Home-going celebration still hopeful to touch lives. Coach Jacket is also known for her world-famous Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving dinners, birthday parties, delicious cornbread dressing, and seafood gumbo. If you were ever hungry, her doors were always open for anyone to stop by to get a home-cooked meal. She loved getting together with friends to play cards, dominoes, backgammon, and Pokeno. Fishing and crabbing were hobbies that she enjoyed most with her Port Arthur love ones. During her coaching tenure with Prairie View A&M until 1991, Jacket was the winning coach of ten National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championships and fourteen Southwestern Athletic Conference titles in track and field. Outside of college athletics, Jacket was the head coach of the United States national track and field team in multiple events from the 1970s to 1980s, which included the 1979 Pan American Games, 1987 World Championships in Athletics and 1992 Summer Olympics. Her Olympic appointment made Jacket the second ever African-American woman Olympic head coach for the United States in history. Apart from coaching, Jacket was the athletic director for Prairie View A&M from 1990 to 1995 and taught health for the university during the 2000s. Jacket ended her career with Prairie View A&M in 2010 upon retirement. Coach Jacket is preceded in death by her mother Eva Pickney, a younger brother, Van James Ratcliff and, her dear sister-in-law Clara Ratcliff. She leaves to cherish her memory, sister Doris Caddell, and nieces: Brenda Caddell, Tracy Caddell, Phyllis Caddell, and Dana Caddell, of Los Angeles, California, Pastor Eva Phagan (Pastor Ben Phagan), Portia Harrison (Tajwar Ali), Carlotta Allen (Lawrence Allen, Jr.), and nephew Van James Ratcliff II. Great nieces: Pastor Tyalian Fontenot and Porshe Jenkins. Great nephews: Timothy Woods II (Angelita Woods), Akil Harrison, Jahi Harrison, Malik Alaka, Taymir Harrison (Elizabeth Harrison), and Terrell Jenkins. Great-great nieces: Brooklyn Fontenot, Paisley Williams, and Zemirah Woods and three great- great nephew Clarence Williams IV, Zori Woods, and Cairo Harrison. Also left to cherish her memory, the Getwood Family and a host of special relatives, church members, former track athletes, students, and special friends. Coach Jacket will always be remembered as a trailblazer, a trendsetter, an educator, and a fantastic mentor. She was a true legend and we will forever celebrate her legacy. Coach Jacket’s family sincerely thank every one of you for your love, support, prayers, and attendance. We ask that you keep us in prayer for God's comfort and strength during our time of remembrance and celebration of her life!

Coach Barbara Jean Jacket

December 26, 1934 - January 6, 2022