Jean (Hoke) Sigmon

On January 25, 2021, Mary Jean Hoke Sigmon, beloved mother of 2 and “granny” to 5, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Trinity Village at the age of 85. She was born May 29, 1935, in Claremont, NC, to John and Ruby Hoke.

She was the oldest of three siblings. She is best remembered for her passion of playing music, love of family and church, and home cooked meals. The many family gatherings at her home always began with guests overindulging on rich casseroles and sinful desserts and often ended with her playing sing-a-long tunes on the piano, surrounded by loved ones.

Jean, as she preferred to be called, kept her family close, choosing to live her whole life in the same town of “Catfish,” NC, where she grew up, with her extended family close by. At the age of 13 she discovered piano and dedicated 60 years of her life as the organist for Bethel Lutheran Church and Bethlehem Methodist Church, where she and her family attended for generations. She was highly respected and remembered fondly by all at General Electric in Hickory where she worked in Employee Relations for more than 40 years.

Jean was a picture of old-fashioned ways and values: always smartly dressed, frequently with a scarf over her perfectly coiffed hair; practicing Southern hospitality; always putting others first; and was selflessly generous with her time and money. She spoiled her grand kids with gifts and always made sure she spent equal amounts on them, going so far as to include extra cash if there was any difference. She couldn’t let a solicitor’s envelope go into the wastebasket; an unknown number of charities were also the recipient of Jean’s kind and generous heart.

Jean never quite adopted modern technologies, instead favoring a checkbook to a credit card, a landline to a cell phone, and a pen to a keyboard. All her friends and family have cherished cards and letters penned in her flowery cursive and finished with her signature smiley face.

Her humor was self-deprecating and her demeanor humble, with a sweetness that was unmatched. It’s no stretch to say that all who met Jean were touched by her kindness and impressed with her true Southern charm.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruby Hoke, her husband, Hugh Earl Sigmon, and her brother, Sidney Hoke.

She is survived by son, Danny Rockett and wife Claire of Gainesville GA; daughter, Gaye Yount and husband Randy of Claremont; grandchildren, Wendy Rockett of Phoenix AZ, Chris Rockett and wife Mary Helen of Milford CT; Jesse Yount and fiancée Amanda Weathers of Augusta GA; two great-grandchildren, Rita and Lydia McIntosh of Tifton GA; and sister, Shirley Harwell of Claremont.

Jean proudly shared many photos of her family with friends and strangers alike.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021, at 4:00 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church on Bolick Road in Claremont, NC with Rev. Eric Hollar and Vicar Morgan Lane officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 3:45 PM prior to the service at the church.

Condolences may be sent to the Sigmon family at www.drumfh-conover.com

In lieu of flowers, the family and certainly Mom requests donations to the Bethel Music Program, Bethel Lutheran Church, 5759 Bolick Rd., Claremont, NC 28610.

Condolences may be sent to the Sigmon family at www.drumfh-conover.com

The Sigmon family has entrused funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.

In the words of Elvis, for whom Jean had a great fondness:

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I am tired, I’m weak, I am worn

Throough the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand, precious Lord

Lead me home.