Jeanette Martin Span was born on April 18, 1937 in Choccolocco, Alabama. She is the 4th daughter of the late Ollie C. and Willie James Martin. She attended Calhoun Training School. She moved to Orlando, Florida in 1957 where she met and married the late Herman Gigger. To this union, Bruce Gigger was born in 1959, followed by Joe Gigger in 1960. After his demise, she later married the late Rev. David T. Span in 1970. To this union Felicia Span was born in 1974. This union also blended their family with the addition of three children: the late David T. Span, Jr., Courtney Span (Boston) and Sophia Span.
Profession: After working several jobs as either a cook, housekeeper or a caregiver, Jeanette soon began her career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1969. She was one of the first African Americans to work in the Department of Corrections. Although she held the title of Corporal, she was constantly approached by her superiors to be promoted to Lieutenant. She didn’t oblige as she loved her interaction with the inmates. That interaction afforded her the opportunity to encourage the inmates, tell them about God, and in some cases, tackle them to the ground until the “tapped out” for being unruly. In all cases, the inmates loved her. After they were released, she would come across them in the community where they credited her for being a vital part of them changing their lives. Her care and concern for everyone was pivotal in all she did for the Sheriff’s Department until her retirement in 1992.
Her stability with the Department of Corrections afforded her the opportunity to be one of the first African Americans to purchase a home in Richmond Heights. This was a huge accomplishment for her. She, and her husband, maintained their home and was one of the most admired yards in the community. She was extremely creative and did 80% of the interior decorating work herself even until her passing.
She was extremely crafty and had several side businesses that afforded her the opportunity to sell her creations while enjoying what she loved. She created and painted ceramic pottery, crocheted hanging planters, made church hats, was a notary public, fished, and was a seamstress to name a few things.
Faith Based: She joined Community Baptist Church. At that time, the church was located in Taft. There, she became a member of the choir and made robes out of bed sheets. She and her husband, Rev. Span, were pivotal in the physical construction of the church’s current location where their names are located on the church’s cornerstone. She never waivered in her faith or her works in the church. She was an active member as the church’s secretary, interior and exterior decorator and seamstress, confidante and more.
She served on several boards, including: Trustee, Deaconess, Pastor’s Aide and various planning committees. She refused to be on the Usher’s Board, stating that she can’t pay attention to the service if she has to keep walking up and down the aisle. Other responsibilities she took on was baking the unleavened bread for communion and preparing the communion glasses for 1st Sundays, purchasing and passing out snacks to the youth before church service, and working with the Food Pantry. She was a faithful servant who worked behind the scenes in a feisty but meek and modest manner. The only time you’d see her with the attention on her was when she’d sing her signature song, “God is Able”.
The Family Tree and Legacy: She is preceded in death by her parents– Willie and Ollie Martin; three sisters– Cora Williams, Louise Davis, and Clara Gooden.
Jeanette leaves a legacy of service, love, and cherished memories to the following survivors: two sons – Bruce Gigger and Joe Gigger; two daughters– Felicia Baker (Sandon) and Sophia Span; her most prized possessions, her grandchildren- Keianna and Keilan Baker; two honorary granddaughters- Deborah Almenas and Raianna Cutts; Goddaughter- Lateisha Graham; Godson- Jeffery Clark; and a host of nieces, nephews and others who have claimed her as their Grandma, Mom, and Auntie. Her friends will also cherish precious memories.
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