Jeanette Rochester

On Monday, April 14, 2025, our beloved Jeanette Rochester answered a call. It was sort of an offer she couldn’t refuse. It was for an appointment from which she knew she would not be returning. Her assignment, however, came with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she had not seen in a long time. She answered that call with peace and grace and the Heavens rejoiced.

Jeanette Rochester, born October 17, 1933, in Griffin, Georgia, was predeceased by her loving husband, James Henry Rochester; her parents, “T” and Edna Laney; her sister, Alice Erickson; and her sons, Terry Rochester, Steve Rochester and Jimmy Rochester.

She is survived by her remaining two sons, Mike Rochester (Susan) and Nathan Rochester (Tammy); daughter-in-law, Marsha Rochester (Terry, deceased); her grandchildren, John Terrell Rochester (Michelle), Holly Rochester Davis (Dakota), and Boo Rochester (Ashley); and five great grandchildren (JT, Allie, Rose, Archer and Poppy), as well as her great grand fur-baby, Sky.

Affectionately known as “Nanny” or “Nanny J”, she was our family matriarch. She loved her family dearly. Family was the most important thing to her. She often joked that she would live to be 125 years old because she needed to make sure that everyone was being raised right.

She and Henry moved to Alabama from Georgia, and she worked for the University of North Alabama for over 30 years. Everyone loved her on campus, and you could usually find students gathering outside her office in the Student Union Building. She supported the Greek community and was an Honorary Sigma Chi Sweetheart.

She loved all her doggies over the years, but especially her last two, Chip and Doodle, who were beautiful white Bichons. She became a part of the therapy dog community and enjoyed taking them to the various nursing homes to visit with the patients. Jeanette and her dogs brought great joy over the years to those residents.

She loved watching Braves baseball, but she specifically loved going to her great grandson JT’s games. She was his biggest cheerleader in the crowd. It didn’t matter if she had to be in her walker, she wanted to be at those games. Nanny wasn’t like other grandmothers who let their age impact their way of life. She continued doing the things she loved in an active vibrant way until the very end.

Jeanette doesn’t just leave a legacy of family behind; she leaves imprints on all our hearts.

Service to honor her memory will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Parkway Community Church, 663 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Florence-Lauderdale County Animal Shelter.

Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.