Jeanne Faulkner was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1938.  She spent the childhood living in her family's home in East St. Louis.  At the age of ten she went to work at her family's barbeque restaurant.  After working there off and on for 7 years Mrs. Faulkner was sent to Frisk University in Tennessee.  After attending this university she went to the University of Illinois where she received her master’s degree.  After college she went to work as a teacher in East St. Louis.  Mrs. Faulkner taught both English and history for 36 years.  She currently resides in the same family home she was raised in.  She has one son who also lives in East St. Louis with his daughter.