Jean Thomas West

Jean Thomas West, age 87, died at The Oaks at Mayview on Monday, December 21, 2015 following a brief illness. She was scheduled to move home for hospice care on Monday morning, but instead, in God’s timing, God called her to her heavenly home.

The two most important things in Jean’s life were her faith in Jesus Christ and her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Harold L. West, her parents, Z.L. and Edith Thomas, and her brother, David Thomas. She is survived by her four sons: Harold L. West, Jr. (Sharyn) of Raleigh; Thomas F. West, also of Raleigh; Timothy L. West (D.J.) of Spartanburg, South Carolina; and David S. West (Julie) of Plano, Texas. She is also survived by her brother Swofford S. Thomas (Muriel) of Spartanburg, SC, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her seven grandchildren are Jennifer Freeman (Dave) of Mechanicsville, VA; Jordan Bostic (Chris) of Raleigh; Bobby West (Grace) of Spartanburg, SC; Michelle Street (Adam) of East Bend, NC; Christy West of Spartanburg, SC; Rebekah Armstrong (Mark) of Alexandria, VA; and Catherine West of Washington, DC. Her eleven great-grandchildren are Samuel and Eliza Freeman; Spencer and Mackenzie Bostic; Autumn, Taylor, Nicholas, and Nathan Street; Robert and Langdon West; and William Armstrong.

Originally from Cowpens, South Carolina, Jean met her future husband after he returned home from serving in the U.S. Army in World War II. They married in February 1947 and lived in Gainesville, FL; Spartanburg, SC, and Greenville, SC before moving to Louisville, KY for seminary. Jean and Harold moved their family to Raleigh in 1958 after he was called to Forest Hills Baptist Church. They also subsequently served at Trinity Baptist Church. Jean worked at the Baptist Book Store for over 30 years.

Visitation will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh on Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. A memorial service celebrating Jean’s life will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m.

A private graveside service will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, Forest Hills Baptist Church, or Samaritan’s Purse.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.