Jean Stover Tanquary

March 10, 1930 - September 25, 2014

Birmingham, Alabama -- When Jean Stover Tanquary died Thursday, September 25, 2014, Heaven gained a witty angel. She was best known for her quick, dry humor, combined with a slow delivery and deadpan expression that left some wondering if she was kidding. . . until she raised her eyebrows.

Coming of age in Jean's family meant finally being old enough to recognize her jokes, and each grandchild in turn would say with amazement, “Did you know Grandma is funny?”

Besides her humor, Jean was also known for her kindness, honesty, encyclopedic mind, impressive vocabulary, chicken soup that arrived when her children or grandchildren showed the first hint of illness, peach cobblers, pies with melt-in-your-mouth flaky crusts, and her Husband’s Delight casserole (which, she never failed to mention, she didn’t learn to make until after her divorce).

Jean was unflappable in any situation, a trait that served her well raising five children who let snakes and mice loose in the house and had their share of fights and stitches. She had a love of afternoon naps, especially during golf and NFL games, and enjoyed crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and piano playing that became increasingly louder and faster according to her stress level.

Although she made others laugh, Jean took many things seriously, including loving her children and grandchildren, spending time with friends, and her church and faith. She lived in Vestavia Hills for 48 years, but was born in rural Columbus, Kansas, on March 10, 1930, and graduated from high school in Columbus before earning her B.A. from Pittsburgh State College in Kansas and her M.S. from Oklahoma State University.

At 52, Jean earned her C.P.A. and went to work as an accountant, the perfect job for a woman who alphabetized her spices and never needed a calculator. She retired at age 70 from Warren Averett, C.P.A. and Advisors.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Claud and Katherine Starrett Stover. Survivors include Jean's five children, Kathy (Bob) Fink, John Tanquary, Pat (Ron) Hronek, Cindy (Mark) Peavy, and Judy (Fred) Habeeb; grandchildren, Kim Fink (Dave) Eiselen, Lindsey Fink, Nicole and Laura Tanquary, John (Natalie) Spargo and James Spargo, Marcus Peavy, and Carter and Katie Habeeb; great-grandchildren, Shelby, J.T., Emma, Ty, Lily, Zion, and Mo Spargo; and many friends, including members of her Joyous Soulos Sunday School Class, Bible study, Circle, Bunko group, and Lunch Bunch.

A Celebration of Resurrection service will be at 4 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2014 at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Southminster, 1124 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.

Arrangements by Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery, Pelham, Alabama.