Jean grew up in Danville, VA, the daughter of Jessie and Arline Garrett among a collection of grandparents, great aunts and their spouses, all of whom contributed to her growth and upbringing. She went on to graduate from George Washington High School in her hometown. In 1959, she married Ray, and they enjoyed 60 wedding anniversaries together. Jean contributed to the success of his career at IBM, and they shared a partnership and devotion in life that all admired.
She was the mother of Kevin, who she taught to read, guided his education, and took him to the pool when he was afraid to go. Most importantly, she and Ray introduced him to Jesus.
Jean was an accomplished homemaker. To spend time in her home was to walk through a work of art. No detail was overlooked in placement, color, texture, or genre. Devoted to prayer, Jean spent many hours lifting up the needs of her family members, close friends, and causes of her church. Intensely devoted to UNC basketball, it was often more entertaining to watch her reaction to the games than the competition itself.
Jean enjoyed a life long friendship with Anne Weaver and deep friendships with former neighbors, John & Shirley Clarke and Bill & Sarah Johnston. She built many lasting relationships through her family’s recreational activities. She was always the loudest grandma at high school and college sporting events. She made the day of many athletes and friends across the decades by sharing her homemade pound cake.
Forest Hills, Trinity, Providence, and Cary First were all Baptist Congregations to which she and Raymond gave themselves in service. She was private about finances, but extraordinarily generous. Jean loved people deeply, always aspired to excellence, and forced her family to arrive ridiculously early for every event.
In her final years, she enjoyed the people and community of Glenaire Retirement Community, whom she loved dearly. She also loved and enjoyed the support of the kind and wise women of her Sunday School class at Cary First.
She is survived by her husband, Ray; her son and daughter-in-law, Kevin & Bonnie; her granddaughter & husband, Salem & Jack Smith; her grandson, Caleb Woody; her grandson and wife, Grant & Trilby Woody; the mother of her grandchildren & husband, Michelle & Curt Gandy; her adopted grandchildren, Bruce & Jilla Brewer, and Brandon Brewer. She was blessed with ten great grandchildren: Taylor, Emma, Abigail, Finnian, Henry, Liam, Raegan, Isaac, Mac, and Cooper.
Memorial service will be held 1pm Tuesday, January 21st at First Baptist Church Cary. The family will receive friends afterward. Please wear bright colors in honor of Jean’s love for color and to celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - North Carolina Chapter, 401 Harrison Oaks Boulevard, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27513, www.lls.org.
DONATIONS
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - North Carolina Chapter401 Harrison Oaks Boulevard, Cary, NC 27513
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