Jean Alderman Wolfe

Jean Alderman Wolfe, aged 85, passed away on March 26, 2016 in the Stafford VA home she shared with her husband Walter George Wolfe. She was born Clara Jean Alderman to parents, William Cleveland and Eolia Leighton Alderman on December 6, 1930 in their Bradenton, Florida home. Her two older sisters, Katherine Sherman and Frances Ingram have predeceased her. A 1948 graduate of Manatee County High School, she has enjoyed attending class reunions. She earned a degree in Music from Florida State University where she was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. Upon graduation in 1952, she married Walter George Wolfe, a lieutenant in the US Army, in the First Baptist Church in Bradenton. As an army wife she lived in many locations in the U.S., Germany, and England. The family moved to its final duty station in Fairfax Co. VA in 1968. Retirement brought the final move in 1996 to Stafford Co.VA.

During these years, Jean became the much loved matriarch of a large and close family. In addition to her husband Walter George, she leaves daughter and son-in-law Frances and Tom Michaels, and their children Lisa Michaels DelVecchio and husband Robert, and Robert Michaels. Sons include John with his wife Kathy; Jim with his wife Andrea along with their sons Adam and wife Lena, David and wife Alexis, and Daniel; Robert with his wife Charlotte and their daughter Robin; and Tom with his wife Namratha. Jean was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother who was recognized as “Mother of the Year” by the Potomac News.

Trained as a music teacher, her first job was teaching first grade at the Mount Eagle Elementary School in Fairfax Co. VA. While living in Germany, she organized a kindergarten for US Army dependent children. Later, she was a Cub Scout den mother, who raised two Eagle Scout sons. She updated her music education degree at the University of Maryland and was a substitute teacher in the Fairfax Co. schools. She played the piano throughout her life and enjoyed giving piano lessons and student recitals in her home.

Jean was proud to be a fifth generation Floridian descended from Alderman family settlers who were cattle ranchers and farmers in Hillsborough and Manatee Counties. The Alderman’s Ford Regional Park of Hillsborough County is named for her ancestor, James Alderman, who settled there in 1848. Always interested in history and family heritage, Jean was a long time member of both the Necostin Chapter of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century and the Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She served as Regent of her DAR chapter and as state chairman for the restoration of the Kenmore Mansion in Fredericksburg VA. She especially enjoyed her role in representing the DAR at naturalization ceremonies for new citizens. She was a speaker at these events, and presented each new citizen with an American flag. The Service to Mankind Club (SERTOMA) of Alexandria VA honored her for this service with a plaque.

Raised in the Baptist Church, she attended a variety of Protestant churches over the years and at times served as church organist. We thank God for her life and the example she was to her family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday April 2nd at 1:00 pm at the Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Rd., Stafford VA 22554. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.