Long time MHS girls basketball coach Jackie Aaron Small dies at age 77

Jackie Aaron Small
Marksville - Funeral services for Jackie Aaron Small will be held held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Congregational First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Progressive Funeral Home of Bunkie.
Visitation will be held at Congregational First Baptist Church on Saturday, June 30, 2018 starting at 8 a.m.
Small, age 77 of Marksville, passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018 at her residence. Small has devoted 34 years of service to the Avoyelles Parish educational system as a teacher and coach. Born on December 21, 1940 in Bunkie. She graduated from Carver High in 1958 where she was a standout athlete. After high school, she received her Bachelor Degree in health, physical education and recreation from Grambling State University in 1962. In 1962, she started teaching and coaching at Bethune High in Marksville. She later became the girls basketball coach before going to Cottonport High, Plaucheville High and Mansura High as a girls coach. She then moved to Marksville in 1982 and became the long-time girls coach at Marksville High School until retiring in 1996.
During her tenure at the schools, she led her teams to several district championships and three appearances in the Sweet 16 Class-AAA girls basketball tournament, which was the girls basketball state semi-finals and finals. Each time the Lady Tigers were defeated in the semi-finals.
She was named the District and Parish Coach of the Year several times and had several players named to the All-State basketball teams, including her two daughters.
“She influenced so many lives during her teaching and coaching years,” Latisha Small explained. “Her love expanded across all barriers including race and religion. She love her family and church community so very much. She was always at her children and grandchildren events, especially after her retirement.”
She was preceded by her husband, Paul Otis Small; her son, Dana Small; one grandson, Cornell Small II; brother, Otha Aaron; and sisters, Marjorie Giron, and Mattie Bazile.
Survivors include her son, Cornel P. Small of Marksville; two daughters, Latisha S. Small of Marksville and Kristi M. (Alex) Perkins of Trout; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and devoted cousin, Velma Keller.