Eugenia Starr Smith-Hagen

Jean was born in a small cabin in Elberton, GA September 19, 1926 to parents Shirley Belle Matthews Starr and Daniel Clayton Starr.

She spent the majority of her early years in Georgia, graduating with a degree in education from the University of Georgia. On advice of her mother who was concerned for a young female teacher in the South due to strong social unrest she headed west, taking a job as an elementary teacher in Loveland, Colorado, where she enjoyed the outdoors, skiing and hiking in the mountains. This was also where she met her first husband Wade Smith, who owed a sporting goods store in town.

After they married in 1956, Wade took a job as the manager for Menefee Farms in Yamhill, Oregon, one of the world’s largest turkey breeders. Jean began teaching elementary school in Yamhill. After a few years, Wade partnered with Walt Schwedler to operate Washore Angus and Turkey Farms. The couple relocated near Oregon City, Oregon and Jean began her tenure with Gladstone Elementary which lasted over 30 years.

In 1960 daughter Merridee was born, followed in 1964 by daughter Jill. In 1970, the family relocated to a ranch in Beavercreek, Oregon and built a home there. The house, designed by Jean, was the catalyst for her love of building and designing homes.

In 1977, husband Wade passed away, the ranch sold, and Jean moved to another of her designed homes in the Willamette Valley town of Canby. She continued to teach in Gladstone until her retirement in 1983.

Besides designing and decorating homes, Jean loved to travel and upon retirement did as much as she could, traveling to Europe, Pacific Rim countries, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand, plus exploring all corners of the United States.

In 1987, after daughter Merridee married and relocated to Texas, Jean decided to uproot and move to Albuquerque, NM, then a few years later to North Austin. However, Texas summers were not to her liking so she maintained a condo in the resort town of Bend, Oregon where she would stay from May-October.

In 1999 she again moved, this time to a new home outside of Georgetown, Texas. While living there, Jean met widower Harold Hagan and in 2002 he and Jean married and took up residence along the Rogue River in Grants Pass, Oregon.

With the passing of Harry in 2013 and encouraged by Merridee to move closer to her, Jean relocated to a retirement community in Ft. Worth, then Granbury, before buying her final home in Hamilton, Texas, where she spent the last 8 years.

Jean lived a long and interesting life. Her love of travel and home design brought her many years of happiness.

Jean is survived by her daughter Merridee Wells of Hamilton, grandson Zach Wells (Shelby) and great granddaughter Pepper of Oskaloosa, KS and grandson Wade Wells (Emilee) and great-grandson Buck of Gordon, NE.

Services will be held Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Hamilton, followed by food and drinks at the home of Merridee Wells, 903 Old Shive Rd., Hamilton. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society or the American Angus Association Foundation in contribution to the Tom Wells Memorial Scholarship fund.