July 12, 1966 – Oct. 28, 2023
JANS – “Monique was a shining light. She exhibited character, courage, and honesty throughout her tenure as partner with Gibbs Travis PLLC and throughout all of her extracurricular activities. Above all, she was loyal. She taught me the value of loyalty and transparency in all that I aspired to achieve. We will miss Monique,” shared Jackson attorney Justis Gibbs who joins community members throughout the state in grieving the loss of community advocate Monique Montgomery who succumbed October 28, 2023 after a brief illness. She was 57.
A memorial service will be held November 2 at 5:00 p.m. at Greater Saint James Missionary Baptist Church, 1301 Jones Ave., Jackson, MS; November 3, Visitation, from 5-7 p.m. will be held at Missionary Union Baptist Church, 1307 5th Ave. N., Columbus, MS; and Saturday, November 4, her Celebration Ceremony will commence at 11:00 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church, 100 Nashville Ferry Rd. E., Columbus, MS.
Montgomery had more than 24 years of experience in civil, corporate, government, chancery and probate law. She had substantial experience in personal injury matters with several “$1 million recoveries” for her clients in the area of car wreck cases, slip and fall cases, medical malpractice, nursing home and workers compensation cases. She worked for CNN NEWS as a Contracts Coordinator and also served as General Counsel for Alexander’s Homes Health. These career opportunities and responsibilities afforded her hands-on experience and skills to provide legal representation in various types of employment law matters, to include: discrimination cases, Title VII matters, employee appeals, contract law and procurement.
Among her many accomplishments, she received her Certificate of Public Managers with Excellence designation (CPM Certification) from Mississippi State Personnel Board.
Prior to joining Gibbs Travis PLLC, Montgomery was an attorney with a Mississippi government agency for over six years. She practiced law in North MS for 15 years and managed her own law practice for seven years. In this capacity, she served as City Attorney and Legal Counsel representing government entities and corporate businesses.
She successfully audited and updated HR policies and procedures and drafted employee handbooks. She obtained a 100% win rate for EEO hearings from 2007 to 2013. She also served as a Public Defender in Clay County, MS and served as a City Prosecutor in Noxubee County, MS.
Montgomery hosted at least five expungement workshops with over 100 felons having their criminal records expunged and gaining restoration of their voter rights. In addition, she served as an adjunct professor at MS University for Women for three years teaching Torts, Criminal Law, and Paralegal Studies. She provided legal counsel and representation in cases venued in both federal and state courts and prevailed in several appellate courts as well.
Attorney Montgomery was a native of Columbus, MS and a graduate of Stephen D. Lee High School where she established the Romeo Brooks Scholarship Endowment, created in memory of her late brother. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Southern MS in Paralegal Studies and Speech Communications, and her Juris Doctorate degree from MS College School of Law. During law school, she was a recipient of the Magnolia Bar Foundation Scholarship and the Magnolia Bar Association Scholarship. She also held a guest student status at Georgia State University School of Law where she was selected to serve as an Assistant City Prosecutor for the Atlanta Solicitor’s Office.
Additionally, Montgomery was a recipient of the Mississippi Young Careerist Award given by the MS Business and Professional Women Organization and served as Coach of the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial High School Competition First Place Winners and the MSMS Coach of the Mississippi Bar Association Mock Trial High School Competition Second Place Winners.
Montgomery was actively involved in the Jackson community. She hosted several political forums and served as lead host of the weekly podcast “Legally Speaking” sponsored by the Women For Progress Organization. Her other community service involvement includes Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Jackson Alumnae Chapter where she served as Second Vice President. She was also a past recipient of the Unita Blackwell Trailblazer Award which highlights a member of the organization who displays strong Social Action involvement throughout the state of Mississippi. Additionally, she was a member of Sister First Ladies, Inc. a pastors wives’ organization that provides community service projects and uplift to the community. She was a member of the Mississippi Jackson Metro Women Lawyers Organization; Ask For More Jackson, Inc., where she served as secretary; and she also served as a Trustee and Board Member of the MS Museum of Arts.
Montgomery served as guest speaker for several youth conferences, women conferences, and couple conferences to include: Saving our Son’s and Daughter’s Youth Conference; the WAL-MART – Mississippi University for Women’s Diversity/Inclusion Conference; the Mississippi University for Women Annual Thanksgiving Unity Dinner; the B. F. Liddell Middle School Graduation Speaker, the Columbus Alternative School Career Day Speaker; the Delta Sigma Theta Founders Day Speaker in Clay County, MS and Aliceville AL; the Mississippi University for Women – Women in Business Seminar Speaker; the Mississippi University for Women – Business Week Speaker; and the Mississippi University for Women – Business Development Week Speaker. Her most notable presentation was serving as the Keynote Speaker during the “Women Cruising with Christ” Conference aboard the Carnival Cruise Line to Cozumel, Mexico.
Mrs. Montgomery was a member of Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church where her husband, Rev. Tony Montgomery Sr. serves as pastor. The couple reared three children, Sarah, Dylan and TJ.
