Jean C. Felts

Jean C. Felts, a renowned real estate counselor, executive, and a commercial real estate appraiser who was involved in transformative real estate developments in New Orleans passed away at home on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. She was Vice President of Waguespack-Pratt, Inc. in New Orleans from 1961 to 1965. When the firm transitioned into Dupree, Felts and Young, Inc., she contributed to the company as Vice President. Ms. Felts concluded her career as the principle of Jean C. Felts and Company from 1997 to 2018. She was the recipient of the Joseph W. Simon award from The Chamber, New Orleans and the River Region in 1982, and the Joseph L. Allard award from American Institute Real Estate Appraisers in 1975 among many awards and honors.

Ms. Felts was the Chairman of the Board of The Chamber, New Orleans in 1983 and in 2002, and served on the Board of Directors of the World Trade Center of New Orleans, commencing in 1980, and was elected as President in 2002. She also served as Secretary and Treasurer of the New Orleans Better Business Bureau from 1995-1996.

Ms. Felts participated on the Board of Directors of the Mercy-Baptist Hospital Foundation in New Orleans from 1983-1995; served on the Board of Directors, and as secretary and treasurer of the Christian Health Ministry Foundation, served on the University of New Orleans Business/Higher Education Council from 1980-1994, and was chair of the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation from 2013-2014 where her service commenced in 1990. She was a long standing Governor on the New Orleans Public Belt R.R. Board and was elected President pro-tempore from 1993-1995.

In her profession Ms. Felts was recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute Corporation Asset Management (governor 1991-1993), a member of the American Society Real Estate Counselors (vice president in 1987, 1992, and President in 1993), Governor of the Appraisal Institute as a Governor from 1975-1977, and was involved with the Urban Land Institute, International Women's Forum, and Rotary International.

Jean also was a trailblazer for women. She was often the first woman rising through the ranks to lead important civic and business organizations. She nurtured a generation of business and professional women giving them the opportunity to lead civic organizations and providing them with experience and wise counsel. She was highly respected by business men and women alike who appreciated her dedication and business acumen.

When she was not advocating for and organizing the New Orleans business and civic community, Jean loved cooking, reading, and animals… especially cats. She was the feral cat complete caregiver to dozens of lucky animals over the years, providing food, shelter, and spaying. Her paella dinner parties were legendary, as were her chocolate cookies and chocolate sauce.

Jean possessed a GIANT heart in addition to her breathtaking business acumen.

Jean was the daughter of the late Ollie James Filbeck and Madeline Dafoe Filbeck. Sister of Bruce T. Filbeck (Mary) and the late Dale J. Filbeck (surviving spouse, Joan). Aunt of Brian Filbeck (Margaret Sue), Mark Filbeck (Debra), David Filbeck (Jennifer), Paul Filbeck, Brad Filbeck, Steven Filbeck, Amy Leasausky (Dave) and the late Dennis Filbeck. Also survived by great nieces, great nephews and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Louisiana SPCA, Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115 or to the charity of your choice. Memorial Services will be private through Christ Church Cathedral. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.

In Memoriam

Jean C. Felts inherited her passion for the real estate field from her father, Ollie James Filbeck, who was a builder of residential and commercial buildings. Her paternal grandfather, William James Filbeck, was a real estate dealer in Kentucky. Ms. Felts initially attended the University of Detroit Mercy from 1950 to 1953 before enrolling at the University of Chicago in 1964. She continued her undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia in 1965, and further completed coursework at the Appraisal Institute in Chicago to receive certification as a counselor of real estate. The Appraisal Institute is an international association of professional real estate appraisers founded in January 1991, when the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers merged.

Having a career in the real estate field in New Orleans which spanned many decades, Ms. Felts served as the vice president of Waguespack-Pratt Inc. in New Orleans from 1961 to 1965, a post she continued to hold after she joined the firm as a partner. When the firm later transitioned into Dupree, Felts & Young Inc., she further contributed to the company as the vice president. Ms. Felts concluded her career as the principal of Jean C. Felts & Company, from 1997 to 2018.

Ms. Felts was the recipient of the Joseph W. Simon Award from the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce in 1982, and she previously accepted the Joseph L. Allard Award from the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers in 1975. Ms. Felts was also notably recognized as the first woman chair of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and was selected for inclusion in the 23rd edition of Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, as well as the 28th edition of Who’s Who in Finance and Industry. In addition, she was the recipient of the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor presented by Marquis Who’s Who.

Throughout her career, Ms. Felts actively participated in numerous civic organizations, including acting as the chairman of the board of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce in 1983 and in 2002. Earlier, she served as the president of the World Trade Center in New Orleans in 1980, and as both the secretary and treasurer of the New Orleans Better Business Bureau from 1995 to 1996. Previously, Ms. Felts excelled as the president of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad from 1993 to 1995.

From 1983 to 1995, Ms. Felts worked on the board of directors of the Mercy-Baptist Hospital Foundation in New Orleans, which works to help fulfill the hospital’s mission of finding new and innovative ways to deliver the best possible health care. She was further involved with the University of New Orleans Foundation and Rotary International. Her hobbies included reading and cooking, and she hoped to be remembered by her peers as a pioneer in her field.

Ms. Felts felt fortunate to have been blessed with excellent mentors throughout her career. She was the first or only woman in her field for a long time, and she was very lucky to have had supporters that helped her to navigate this treacherous terrain. Over the course of her career, she learned the importance of selecting excellent associates and mentors. She was a loving sister to two brothers, including one late brother, as well as a doting aunt to seven nephews and one niece. Ms. Felts passed away in December 2019.