Dr. Inez Elizabeth Girardeau Nesbitt

NESBITT Dr. Inez Elizabeth Girardeau Nesbitt, of Jacksonville, Florida, began her second life on Sunday, July 25, 2010, joining her husband, the late Elder Wales R. Nesbitt, Jr., in life everlasting through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born on May 11, 1922, in Jacksonville, Florida. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. English Girardeau, her sister, Marguerite G. Exum, and her three brothers, Attorney Otis E. Girardeau, Sr.; Emmett Girardeau and English L. Girardeau, Jr. Dr. Nesbitt received her early education in the Duval County Public School System, and upon graduating from Stanton High School in the class of 1939, she pursued her goal and followed the example of her greatest role model, her mother, Mrs. Annett Girardeau, and became an educator. She attended Bethune-Cookman College where she received her degree in Elementary Education and immediately began her teaching career at Central Academy in Palatka, Florida. She later matriculated at Florida A & M University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and Master's degree in Elementary Education and History. Her appreciation for learning is exemplified by her thirty eight (38) years of dedicated service as a teacher in the Duval County Public School System. In recognition of her promotion of Christian education and spiritual development, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from United Theological Seminary. She married the late Elder Wales R. Nesbitt, Jr., eldest son of the late Bishop and Mrs. Wales R. Nesbitt, Sr., and to that union was born six (6) children, four (4) sons, and two (2) daughters. Her passions, gifts and talents were many, but by far her love and appreciation for her family out shined them all. As a wife and mother she willingly assumed the role of the 'proverbial woman.' Upon dedicating her life to Christ, accepting salvation and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost, she was empowered to do great work for the Lord. She worked diligently with her husband for twenty-five (25) years to build up the ministry that God appointed him to oversee in the Church of God in Christ, Inc., through the implementation of Christian education and development programs. They worked diligently until his death, and she continued to carry forth his commission by continuing to serve as a loyal member, faithful supporter and leader in the Western Florida Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, until she was honored for her labor and was appointed by Bishop L. T. Weaver as the first Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women for Florida Sixth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ, with national headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. Her passion for academic, social, spiritual and community development lead to her support, involvement and development of programs to enrich the lives of all people. She was a founding member of the Jacksonville Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She served on the Board of Directors of Liberty Center for the Homeless, and she founded The E.G. Nesbitt Center for Human and Social Development. Dedication to God's plan and purpose for her life has been her primary objective, and in fulfilling that purpose she has helped to establish six (6) churches in Florida and Georgia, and has assisted in the support and building of many others. She was a founding member of Nesbitt Cathedral the Heart of Jacksonville Reformed Universal Gospel Church, Jacksonville, Florida, where she served faithfully in numerous leadership capacities until the end. She is survived by her six (6) children, Elder W.R. III (Marvetta), Marian N. Davis(Mitchell), Bishop G.F. Sr. (Janice), Elder R.R. (Diane), Marguerite N. Stewart, Bishop R.A. Sr. (Milessa); one (1) brother, Dr. Arnett E. Girardeau, Sr. (Carolyn); two (2) brothers-in-law, Bishop S. P. Nesbitt and George Exum, Sr., (North Carolina); sister-in-law, Canary Girardeau; (24) grandchildren, (8) great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and devoted friends. A celebration of her life will be held Friday, July 30, 2010 at Nesbitt Cathedral, 2001 Ernest Street, Jacksonville, 32204 (904) 683-0311, with public viewing beginning at 5:00 pm; service will be held at 7:00 pm. Home Going Celebration will be held Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 9:00 am at Nesbitt Cathedral, Bishop M. G. Nesbitt, Senior Pastor; Bishop R.A. Nesbitt, Sr., Presiding Bishop/ Officiating. In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations in her memory to Nesbitt Cathedral E.G. Nesbitt Center for Human and Social Development, P.O. Box 924, Orange Park, FL 32067. Arrangements are in the care of Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida, 32073 (904) 264-1233. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com