Janelle J. Abbott

Janelle J. Abbott, age 86, of Pass Christian, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Gulfport.

Janelle was born on October 9, 1938, in Gulfport. Janelle started her career as a teacher at Bayou View Junior High where she taught for four years. From 1967 until her retirement in the early 2000's, she taught mathematics, was the department chairperson, the Mu Alpha Theta sponsor, and Assistant Principal at Harrison Central High School (HCHS). She was nominated National Teacher of the Year and Mississippi Teacher of the Year. She was a Star Teacher and Y Teen Sponsor. Janelle went on to become the first woman Principal of HCHS and served in that capacity for seven years. She grew up at Nugent UMC where she was a youth leader and served many years as organist. She went to Lyman UMC, which became Gateway, where she also served as an organist. She was a charter member of Diamondhead UMC.

Janelle was preceded in death by her husband, Nigel Abbott; father, Grady Houston James; mother, Geneva Frances Mills James; sister, Sandra Gale Webb; and brother, Terry James.

Survivors include her children, Gregory Hendry (Ellie) of Seguin, TX; and Dr. Cynthia O’Donnell (Jeff) of Falls Church, VA; grandchildren, Scott Starita, David Starita, Brandi Hendry, Jordan Hendry, Amanda Freitas, Christopher Arce, and Nikolas Henry; and great-grandchildren, Gideon, Jedidiah, Naomi, Zayden, Daniella, Lily, Tatum, Alba, Everleigh, Evander, Talon, Lily, Juliette, Saylor, Charlotte, and Isabella. Janelle is also survived by her brother, Melvyn James (Arnett) of Weatherford, TX.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15452 O’Neal Road, Gulfport, MS. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Abbott family.