Jeanette Strait passed from this life into eternity on May 8, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was born on August 23, 1957, in the Mississippi Delta.

Jeanette is survived by her husband of 51 years, Ronnie Strait; two sons Rocky Strait (Becky), Billy Strait (Nicky); one daughter, Amanda Strait; one sister, Trisha Ann Gilbert (John) and honorary daughter, Chafony Poole (Bud); twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Earl Bunch; mother, Nell Bunch; one brother, Jamie Bunch; her stepmom, Dorthy Wilkerson, one sister, Betty Boone, her father, Jim Wilkerson, and grandson Marquise Poole.

She grew up living with her mom, Nell Bunch and stepfather, Earl Bunch until she was sixteen years old when she left home to attend Clarke Memorial College of Nursing in Newton, MS.

On May 31, 1974, she met Ronnie Strait while shopping at a local grocery store in Newton. They began dating and were married on August 22, 1974. Jeanette was all about family and educating children. She worked twelve years as a teacher and later director of We Care Daycare Facility. During the last four years of teaching at We Care, she obtained her Associate’s degree from East Central Community College and her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University - Meridian campus, with a 4.0 Grade point average.

She started teaching kindergarten at Newton Elementary School and later at the age of 40, she received her master’s degree in education from MSU Meridian campus with a 4.0 GPA. She taught Kindergarten for 27 years in the same classroom at Newton Elementary. She reluctantly gave up teaching and retired in 2019. Jeanette loved her family, her school children, her Sand Springs Church family and most of all her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.