As we go thru life, we sometimes are chosen to do difficult tasks. Aunt Jean chose Jaren (our brother Rick's son) and I to help her through her aging journey. Little did we know a fall and a broken shoulder would start her battle. It was a time of learning about the disease, accepting it, and a call to stay in constant prayer asking for patience and practicing empathy while reassuring, redirecting and lots of hand holding. You see, it is an honor and a privilege to care for a sick loved one- GOD calls us to help and love one another. It was also a time to learn more about Aunt Jean - she could tell some stories!! I would visit and she kept me in stitches - then I'd cry all the way home. But those times were special. She loved visitors and always lit up when anyone came by. So just know if you did, she enjoyed every minute.  FAMILY is everything - GOD wove our family together and it's up to us to keep that tapestry from wearing thin, we need to mend it when necessary. I thank GOD for the support of my family. Life is a struggle at times and it will continue to be - life is also lesson - how we handle it is a testimony. Aunt Jean was a WARRIOR -and fought the hardest battle - and ....... she so wanted to to be 100 yrs old. We celebrate her today because the victory is all hers!!! I hope she rests a little, gets to ride on a Harley in heaven with our brother Jim and sits on a cloud with all of our loved ones to tell them what we have been doing.... because now.....she remembers.

She enjoyed this entertainer while at Ave Maria Rehab

I first met Jean through my stepdad when I was a teenager and when he passed away lost touch with the family. I was able to be in touch with them again when I joined Ancestry and located many members of the family. I was given Jeans phone number and we had many conversations when she lived in her apartment. She had lots of stories to tell and I enjoyed listening to them. I will miss her and send my sincerest condolences to her family. She is walking with Jesus now and her body is whole again with no pain.

Mrs. Jean was both Art and Artist.
She framed cute pictures of birds. 
Fancily garnished ice cream with peaches.
She cross-stitched even after doing so hurt her eyes — the act of creation worth the discomfort. She was like a garden, blossoming into art. Beauty herself, she created beauty — for as she is, so is her nature, and from her nature grows loveliness, Life, and all things Good.

God said: “Let there be light!” and there was light. Mrs. Jean said: “Let there be beauty!” and there was beauty.
She loved sewing for friends and family. She got girlishly giddy discussing who she was making it for, how much she loved them, explaining why she felt like this exact cross-stitch would resonate with this specific recipient.
Her art was Love made tangible.
She poured out her love for you, her family and friends, with joy and excitement! Every stitch a testament to her boundless affection.

And jokes!
Mrs. Jean told the best jokes. She had us laughing so hard! Fun and funny, we always had the best time!

Mrs. Jean is everything good in this world.
Kindness with strength.
Righteousness with understanding.
Wisdom with fun.

Hero, mentor, friend.
Mrs. Jean is deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Kind, fierce, fearless.
Beautiful and creator of beauty.
Mrs. Jean loved with her whole heart, and was dearly loved in return.

Back when she was my neighbor, we’d visit for hours on end almost every week. 
One week she’d fix us bowls of praline ice cream with a spoon full of canned peaches, next I’d bring cupcakes (vanilla with chocolate icing), she shared her homemade veggie stew, I shared my homemade biscuits and gravy.
But more than food, she shared her stories. Shared her wisdom.

Mrs. Jean worked hard from a young age, earning respect and opportunity.
They say there are three kinds of people: wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs.
When Mrs. Jean earned her place as a Union Leader, she didn’t accept it for power or glory — she accepted it as a sheepdog accepting a flock.
Those were HER Union Members and they WOULD be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. 
Tenacious, she fought for them. Kept them safe and secure.
When she went toe-to-toe with higher-ups, they offered her promotions — money, prestige, power — to get out of their way. 
Mrs. Jean refused. She stood her ground, righteous and determined. A hero protecting her people. She shepherded her flock. 

Family was always her dearest love and her greatest blessing. She loved you all with every fiber of her being.

Peaceful.
On Christ the solid rock she stands, all other ground is sinking sand.
Mrs. Jean dedicated her life to Jesus in worship, word, and deed.
She loved her Lord, and that love spilled over into loving people and helping and understanding and comforting them.

Mrs. Jean was fully Herself. She went through good times, she went through hard times, and all she embraced with strength and dignity.

Mrs. Jean was beautiful.
Her fierce and gentle spirit shone, radiant.
She saw beauty almost everywhere she looked and — where she couldn’t see it — she created it, for Mrs. Jean was both Art and Artist.

It was an honor and a privilege to walk with Aunt Jean through her journey. At times I actually had to run after her because once she got the hang of her walker, she was moving!  We spent a lot of time talking during the last three years with the last year being the hardest.  She is one tough cookie and handled every move that was made. I kept my promise to not put her into a nursing home facility.
Luckily, her doctor had told me about residential Home Care and he told me he thought she would benefit since we knew we had to move her from assisted living once she started regressing even more. She landed at Carrollwood Home Care and Quita and her team took excellent care of Aunt Jean. She felt at home there because it seemed like the house they lived in on Blanford when she, our mother and our grandmother all live together after our dad died.  She was a vivid storyteller, and I can honestly say that every time I was down if I went and spent time with her, I would be laughing the whole time.  I know she ran straight into the arms of Jesus with all of our family members not far behind that went before her. I know it was a glorious time for her. Sleep in heavenly peace, Aunt Jean I love you.

OBITUARY

Jean Milton Smith

August 26, 1928 – July 11, 2025

Memphis Funeral Home

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