Jacquelen Sue Napier
(Jackie)
b. January 13, 2019 d. December 16, 2019
Obituary
Life Song of a Love Story
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jacquelen Sue Napier aka "Jackie", on Monday December 16, 2019. She leaves behind her beloved husband Cleatus "Leon" Napier, her four children son Nick and his wife Margie. Daughter Noree, son Niles and son Noel. She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew Jack Kelley and Edith Elaine White. Her sibling brother Jimmy and her sister Patricia Ann fondly known as Pat who went to be with her sister on December 22, 2019.
Jackie was born in Heneritta OK on January 13, 1943 and was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Jackie loved playing with her "little mfers" as she so happily stated when the family was in the backyard around the pool. Jackie's favorite story to tell was when she clothes-lined her grandson Niles Jr., also known as NiNi in the front yard of their house on B Street in Bakersfield, CA. Another favorite time of Jackies was when Leon's dog Buster and her friend Dawn would fight for seats in the motorhome with Buster usually winning by passing gas and making everyone leave the motorhome. Jackie had soft spot for the elderly and took care of them which became family to her. Jackie was a very loving friend who spoke her mind and never beat around no bush. She was candid and blunt while being such a softie, she would give you the shirt off her back and her last dollar if you needed it. She often involved friends to carry out some crazy adventure with her that you would be able to tell your kids and grandkids about. With three boys and her only daughter Noree, it was usually us against them. Although full of life and very playful, if you rubbed her the wrong way she would take her pinkie in your pinkie and bring you to your knees. She will be very missed.
Jackie's journey of life began when her family moved from OK to Tehachapi when she was three years old. There she met her treasured soul-mate of 61 years, Cleatus "Leon" Napier. Jackie's mother Edith and Leon's mother Mae Belle worked at the Hitching Post Bar and Girl and it was there at breakfast each morning before school that Leon would see this lovely blue-eyed girl that he would later ask to marry him. Jackie and Leon began going steady at 7:36 p.m. on April 3rd, 1956. One of two happiest days of Leon's life. Jackie and Leon were married at the South Chester Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA on January 15, 1959. This day was the happiest day of Leon's life. Their love for each other was unconditional. After the birth of their youngest son Noel, the family moved to Barstow where Leon worked at the infamous Hinkley PG&E power plant. Leon continued training and moving up in ranks at PG&E.
After raising their children, Jackie started her own janitorial service in Kettlemen City, where Leon was now a supervisor in Communications and Technical Services (C&TS) at the PG&E plant. Jackie cleaned the dorms, cafeteria and game rooms of the PG&E residential residences and pole climbing area. Jackie, Niles and Noree worked as a team for Jackie's Janitorial Services and Jackie loved being with her family and getting paid at the same time. Jackie's beloved granddaughter Kelly was a constant comfort and companion for Jackie when Leon was training and away from the family. Kelly was Jackie's meme and if you wanted to know about any family member like where or what they were doing if Jackie knew, then Kelly knew.
Jackie's favorite color was green, her favorite flower was a Carnation and Jackie and Leon's favorite LOVE song was entitled Song of The Dreamer by Eddie Fisher which lyrics state:
To the heavens above I am praying that you give me that
which I love let this dream come true.
And it did, it really really did.