Last updated on: November 27, 2025
Jeanette Arnold Ragland was the maternal grandmother of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. She played a very important part in Meghan’s early life. Her story is filled with love, family strength, and a rich cultural history that connects many generations.
Quick Facts About Jeanette Ragland
| Full Name | Jeanette Arnold Ragland |
| Birthdate | September 4, 1929 |
| Age (at time of passing) | 71 years |
| Died | 2000 |
| Husband/Wife | Alvin Azell Ragland (divorced), Joseph Johnson |
| Education | N/A |
| Parents | Nettie Mae Allen & James Forshey |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Children | Doria Loyce Ragland |
| Grandchildren | Meghan Markle (Duchess of Sussex) |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life
She was born Jeanette Arnold in Sandusky, Ohio, on September 4, 1929, to Nettie Mae Allen and James Forshey. It was a close family that grew up just like many other African American families during those times: hardworking and mostly poor, though strong and supportive.
Jeanette’s family ancestry includes Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. In her family, some members lived through slavery before the end of the Civil War. Over time, family members migrated north in search of better opportunities and jobs. Their story is a part of America’s bigger history.
Marriage and Family
As a young woman, Jeanette married Alvin Azell Ragland. They later had a daughter:
Doria Loyce Ragland (born 1956)
Doria would be Meghan Markle’s mother. Jeanette and Alvin later divorced. After their separation, Jeanette married again. Her second husband was Joseph Johnson.
Jeanette later relocated to California, where she lived for many years. She made a warm and loving home for her family there.
A Caring Grandmother
Jeanette was caring, compassionate, and very family-oriented. She was particularly close to her granddaughter, Meghan. While Meghan’s parents were working, Jeanette took Meghan in to care for her. She spent time with Meghan, held her as a baby, and helped raise her in a safe and caring environment.
Meghan says that she remembers her grandmother’s love well. She shared happy moments with Jeanette during family gatherings, holidays, and many simple days at home.
Later in life, Jeanette’s health started to decline. She had a stroke, and additional support was required for her. Meghan, very young at this point, tried comforting and supporting her. Those moments made them close even more.
Heritage and Family History
Jeanette’s life helps us to understand Meghan’s family roots. For many generations, the Ragland and Arnold families have been part of the United States. Their ancestors lived through hardship and hope. Among the things in the family’s past are:
Enslaved ancestors who fought to build better futures
Migration from the American South to cities in Ohio
Later relocated to California for new opportunities and better work.
One ancestor who is known was Richard “Dick” Ragland, born about 1792. He was born into slavery. The family would, through time, carry the name of Ragland beyond those painful years. Today, the name represents strength and survival.
She has shared this history with her daughter and granddaughter, reconnecting them to generations past.
READ ALSO: Meghan Markle Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
Later Life and Death
Jeanette spent her retirement years in Fresno, California, where she died on December 27, 2000, at age 71. She never lived to see Meghan become an actress, a royal, or a global public figure, but her love and support helped Meghan in the early years of her life. Her memory lives on through the stories that her family keeps alive.
Legacy
Jeanette Ragland lives on through the people she cared for. She raised a strong daughter. She helped raise a granddaughter who one day inspired others. It may not have been a public role, but it was an important one. As Jeanette’s story reminds us, family history is powerful. Her life connects past, present, and future. Her strength and love are still part of Meghan’s identity today.
