M. Nita Jagneaux Kessinger

M. Nita Jagneaux Kessinger of Baton Rouge, Louisiana passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. She enjoyed a life of family and her Cajun Heritage and left this earth with dignity, comfort and a strong faith in family and God looking forward to eternal life in heaven with her husband Donovan J. (DJ) Kessinger.

Nita was born in Lawtell, Louisiana on November 27, 1938. She grew up with a loving family on a farm and lived off the land farming and raising livestock.

She was known to tell of life at home, speaking of picking cotton before and after school. Proud of her Cajun Heritage, she was taught English Language at school since, only Broken French was spoken at home. Married at an early age, she left home once she married the only love of her life Donovan J. (DJ) Kessinger, Sr. They moved to Baton Rouge and raised two children, Donnie and Angie. She and DJ loved to travel on family vacations with their two children and extended family. Nita and DJ always had an open door for family. Many nieces and nephews stayed with them. She dearly loved her family and holiday gatherings. Known for the great meals she prepared; she was praised often for these meals. Donnie was very partial to her version of French Toast (he calls egg bread). She loved telling and hearing jokes. She and DJ often joked with each other so they could make each other laugh. They both so loved enjoying that first cup of coffee in the morning together.

Her strong work ethic instilled in her by her parents extended to her two children. Donnie wanted a job while in school, which she helped him to get his first job. Little did he know that if they called for work, he had to go regardless of his plans. Donnie and Angie both learned to appreciate her efforts in instilling in them her work ethic.

Nita was preceded in death by her parents, Constant and Stella Lavergne Jagneaux; husband, Donovan (DJ) Kessinger, Sr., who passed in 1999; brothers, Linus J. Cortez, II, Berchman Jagneaux and Adler Jagneaux and her sisters, Bernice Fontenot, Vernice F. Darbonne, and Ethel J. Woodson. She is survived by her children, a son, Donovan (Donnie) J Kessinger, Jr., his wife Cassandra (Cassye) C. Kessinger, a daughter, Angella (Angie) K. Lessard Many and her husband Brent Many; grandchildren, Misty L. Holley and her husband, Jeff Holley and Noah D. Lessard; along with her great-grandchildren, Isabella Holley and Cecil Holley.

Remembrance Services will be held on January 3, 2025 at The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 865 Hatchell Lane, Denham Springs, LA 70726. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm with a Remembrance Mass at 1:00 pm. Reception immediately follows remembrance services in the small hall at the church. Nita will be interned with her husband DJ in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated and loving services provided by Hospice of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Butterfly Wing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nita’s name to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at: www.rabenhorsteast.com

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rabenhorst Funeral Homes & Crematory – Baton Rouge, LA.