Jean Henson Blount

Born in Burkesville, KY she was a farm girl for the first ten years of her life. Her family relocated to Jacksonville in 1944, where she sunk her roots. Jean attended Andrew Jackson High School, graduating in 1952. She remained dear friends with many of her classmates throughout her life.

At Jackson, Jean met the young man of her dreams, John Blount. They wed in 1955 and began a joy-filled love affair of 58 years. With their three children: Gayl A. Blount, John O. Blount III, and Jeffery W. Blount, Jean and John built a happy home that was full of adventures, friendships and achievements; John had a long construction career in Jacksonville, and Jean became a Registered Nurse. She was employed at Baptist Medical Center for several years, and later at Cathedral Rehabilitation Hospital and Riverside Medical Center. After her nursing career, she assisted John in the family construction business, F.M. Cox General Contractors, Inc. through which she enjoyed serving their many clients and associates.

Of her many qualities, perhaps the 3 that most characterized her were intelligence, care and generosity. As a student, nurse, businessperson, and teacher, Jean was astute in the details and best practices of the things she strove to accomplish. As a mother, homemaker and caregiver she was consistently self-sacrificing and abundantly open-handed, constantly attending to the wellbeing of her family. All of this was motivated by her genuine care for people. Her wisdom, insight, abilities, kindnesses and energy were lavished on those she loved and on any she could help.

Jean’s greatest love was her Savior, Jesus Christ. Around age 9 or 10, on an Easter Sunday morning, she trusted the gospel message of God’s love, forgiveness, and life through Jesus. She became a follower of Christ and a child of God. As she grew in her faith, she discovered that one of her several God-given abilities was teaching the Bible. For many years she taught Bible classes for young adult women and for fifth grade girls at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, of which she was a member for 55 years. One of her great delights in life was to share the message of God’s love with others so that they might know Him personally, too.

Jean lived a beautiful life of love toward her Lord, her husband, her children, her family, and her many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband John O. Blount, her mother Clarice Henson, and her father Dallas Henson. She is survived by her three children Gayl, John (Ann), Jeff (Stacy); her five grandchildren: Lara Decker (Jason), Nicholas Ortiz, Michael Blount, Stacy Blount, and Juliette Blount; and her two brothers: Buddy Henson and Jimmy Henson (Mickey).

A graveside memorial and celebration gathering will be held on Saturday March 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM; Hardage Giddens Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL.