Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though they die, yet shall they live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” On Friday evening, February 25, 2022, Jacqueline Doris Daniel Berger received Christ’s loving embrace after walking with Him here on Earth for more than 95 years. Beloved by all who knew her, Jackie was born on June 10, 1926, in Amite, Louisiana, to Ed and Nina Daniel, as one of seven children. Upon graduating from Amite High School at the age of 15, she moved to Baton Rouge to live with her older sister, Audrey, and found work at several department stores and the US Draft Board during WWII, before becoming an Executive Secretary with Ethel Corporation. There, she worked until she met and married Dale Berger and became a full-time homemaker and mother of three children. Jackie was a loving wife and mother and a faithful member of several Baptist churches in the Baton Rouge area through the years, including First Baptist Church, Central. Moving to Houston, Texas in 2014 to live with her daughter Mitzi and son-in-law Daniel, she regularly attended Grace Episcopal Church. Jackie loved the outdoors, especially spending time on the family land near Clinton, Louisiana, vacationing in the Rocky Mountains and many destinations in the Western US, and fishing with her husband. She loved bird watching, flower gardening and was well versed in identifying trees and plants that she encountered. She and Dale had a great interest in archeology and were active members of the Baton Rouge chapter of the Louisiana Archaeological Society. She was a well-loved Sunday School teacher and mentor of young teen girls as a leader of “Acteens.” She loved music and had a beautiful voice. In her early years, she entered and won many talent contests in Amite and surrounding areas of south Louisiana. She was a loving sibling and cared for her six brothers and sisters and their spouses during difficult times; and she embraced the family of her husband, Dale, as her own family. She was a warm and wonderful grandmother and great-grandmother. Her impact and witness of love, kindness, generosity and faith will live on in all their lives. Left to cherish her memory are daughter Mitzi Coleman and husband Daniel, son Steve Berger and wife Dianne, son Mark Berger and wife Kayla. Her granddaughters are Kelli Springer and husband Joseph, and Kristi Marionneaux and husband Shane. Her grandsons are Phillip Berger and his fiancé Tamara Spann, and Eric Berger and his wife, Allyson. She was blessed with four great-grandchildren: Collin and Sophia Springer and Isaac and Jane Marionneaux. Her surviving sister is Margaret Ann Wilson and her husband Leroy. She is also survived by her beloved brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. George Berger and wife Jo Ann. She had many nieces and nephews whom she loved. She was preceded in death by her husband, Beverly Dale Berger, who passed in 1982; her father and mother, Lewis Edward and Nina Bernice Daniel; brothers Norris Daniel (Melrose); Maxwell Daniel (Elise); Edwin Daniels (Lee); and sisters Audrey Daniel Courtney (James); and Alice Joyce Daniel Hollingsworth (Dwight). Loved ones, friends and family, will gather to honor Jackie’s life on Thursday, March 10 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Visitation will be 10:00 am – noon. The service will begin at noon, with interment immediately following at Magnolia Cemetery, 422 North 19th St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802.
Jackie had a generous heart and supported many individuals and charities throughout her life. One of those organizations was World Vision. For those who would like to honor her, in lieu of flowers, a memorial website has been established for memorial donations to World Vision. Please go to https://mycause.worldvision.org/campaign/In-Memory-of-Jackie-Berger to make a memorial contribution to help in their hunger-relief work around the world.
