L'Genia Joffrion Mitts

L'genia Joffrion Mitts

Funeral Mass for Ms L’genia Joffrion Mitts will begin at 10:30 AM Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Fr. Augustine Pallimattam officiating. Graveside rites will begin at 2:00 PM at Enterprise Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Ms. Mitts, 73, of New Orleans, LA, formerly of Enterprise, MS, died Wednesday, October 25, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

Joffrion, or Jo as friends and loved ones called her, was born on December 21, 1949, in Meridian, MS. Joffrion grew up in the small town of Enterprise, MS where she enjoyed riding horses, swimming and canoeing. Family time was made extra special with her grandmother Dutch’s fried chicken, her mom Pinkie’s pound cake or the family’s delicious caramel cakes. In the summers, she attended various Girl Scout camps across the country, including in Mississippi, New York, and New Hampshire where she made lifelong friends.

After graduating from Enterprise High School in 1967, she attended Mississippi State University where she studied Educational Psychology. During college, she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority and served as the President of the Association of Women Students where she fought for equal rights for female students.

After college, Joffrion moved to New Orleans, LA to pursue a career in teaching. She fell in love with the city and was always eager to act as tour guide when friends and family visited town. She would take them for barbequed shrimp at Mr. B’s or to walk around the French Quarter in search of great shrimp po’boys. She avidly participated in Mardi Gras celebrations and loved the annual New Orleans Jazz Fest.

As a teacher in the New Orleans public school system, she taught history and coached girls basketball. She even walked with the Warren Easton band as they marched in the Mardi Gras parades, which she and the band members loved. After 24 years, she retired but would often run into former students around town who would flag her down with an enthusiastic, “Ms. Mitts! Ms. Mitts!” followed by a big hug.

A life-long learner with a love for travel, Joffrion took amazing trips all over the world with friends – Russia, UK, China, Australia to name a few. She had a bucket list of places she wanted to see and bravely tackled each one of them over time. She would return with gifts and wonderful stories of her travels.

In addition to travel, Joffrion was passionate about her health. She spent time studying and sharing her knowledge with others. She launched her own company and served as a health consultant later in life sharing tools, strategies, and stories of hope with those looking to take their health into their own hands.

Many things brought Joffrion joy; She loved animals and cared for numerous adopted pets over the years. She also loved puzzles. Her family has fond memories of watching Joffrion deliberate over puzzles at the dining room table. One of her greatest joys was time at the beach with family, whether in her earlier years in Savannah, GA or later in Gulf Shores, AL. Joffrion recently shared that the beach was a place where she felt restored – whether it was watching the bright sails of Hobie Cats on the water, children playing in the sand, beautiful sunsets or the peaceful sound of the surf, it was her happy place.

Joffrion is survived by siblings, Janie Mitts Moore, F.W. “Billy” Mitts, III (Grace), and Chandler Mitts. Nieces and Nephews, Castlen Kennedy (Cory), Mittsi Petersen (Jeff), Meier Miller (Mark), Dee Bowdon (Bobby), Fielden Mitts, IV (Whitney), Ken Mitts (Mary Myers), and Walton Mitts (Fiancé Yvonne Zuchowski); Four great-nieces, nine great-nephews, as well as a host of extended family members and friends.

Ms. Mitts is preceded in death by her parents Billy and Pinkie Mitts; paternal grandparents Buddy and Dutch Mitts and maternal grandparents, Chan and Violet White.

The Mitts family suggests memorials be made to any animal rescue center of your choice in lieu of flowers.

Pallbearers will be Cory Kennedy, Jeff Petersen, Mark Miller, Bobby Bowdon, Fielden Mitts, Ken Mitts, and Walton Mitts.

Online condolences may be expressed at robertbarhamffh.com.

The Mitts Family will receive guests from 5:00 PM until 6:30 PM with Rosary beginning immediately after at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Thursday, November 2, 2023.