Friends, colleagues and loved ones describe Janette Self as one of the most compassionate people they knew. They’re also quick to add that, even so, she was always a straight shooter.
“Don’t sugarcoat anything – she was that type of grandmother,” her granddaughter, Krishina Turnipseed, told The Dispatch with a laugh. “She was one of those that kind of tore you down and built you back up at the same time. … But at the end of the day, it was all about love.”
That candor, paired with her care for others, guided Self through a decadeslong career in nursing and later into public office as Starkville’s first Black alderwoman.
Self, 88, passed away Friday following an extended illness. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. March 6 at Beth’el M.B. Church. Visitation is 1-6 p.m. today at Second Baptist Church at 314 Yeates St.
Born Aug. 9, 1937, in Morton, Alabama, Self devoted much of her life to helping others, her granddaughter Aundrea Self said. She began her career as a bank teller before entering nursing, working first at Felix Long Memorial Hospital and later at OCH Regional Medical Center, where she served as a board trustee upon her retirement.
“She was a person who held a lot of compassion for people, especially hurting people,” Aundrea told The Dispatch. “… It was kind of a calling for her to figure out a way to make a person feel better, at least in that physical state. … All of it is just rooted in a need to want to help things be better. Have a person be better, have a place to be better, and that’s how she treated all of her children and grandchildren.”
Janette’s commitment to service extended beyond health care. She was a lifelong member of the NAACP, serving both the Oktibbeha County branch and on the state level as secretary for more than 20 years. She was also active in the Mississippi State Democratic Party and the Oktibbeha County Federation of Democratic Women, political involvement that once earned her a Christmas morning phone call from former President Bill Clinton, Turnipseed recalled.
Among numerous honors, Janette received the Mississippi NAACP Fannie Lou Hamer Award, recognizing her dedication to civil rights and community service.
In 2005, she was elected to represent Starkville’s newly created Ward 7, becoming the first Black woman to serve on the Starkville Board of Aldermen.
Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins, who represents Ward 6, said he remembers Janette as a “pivotal voice” from their term together, noting that with her help, the city acquired the land that now houses Starkville Utilities headquarters and secured the funding to build Fire Station 5.
“She brought a great deal of energy and motivation and enthusiasm to … come in and represent … Ward 7,” Perkins told The Dispatch on Wednesday. “… Her vision was … to make a difference for her ward and for the city, and to give the best of service in her role as alderwoman.”
Mayor Lynn Spruill, who served as the city’s chief administrative officer during Janette’s term, said Self was always “driven to do the right thing.”
“She was very thoughtful and deliberative in her decisions,” Spruill said. “… She was a friend, and I think that her legacy will be long remembered. She left a whole lot of people who she cared about and who cared about her and will continue to talk about what a good person she was, and what a great influence she was on the community.”
Janette is survived by her two sons, Michael and Gerald Self; her two daughters, Deirdre Yvette Birts and Sonya Rogers; her brother, Albert Self; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
