Elva Jean Quattlebaum

March 23, 1933 – May 20, 2026

Elva Jean Quattlebaum, lovingly known as Jean, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on May 20, 2026, at the age of 93.

Jean was born on March 23, 1933, in Beechgrove, Indiana, to Pauline and Chester Fallowfield. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard Fallowfield; her first husband, Richard McPherson; her second husband, Marion “Q” Quattlebaum; and her daughter, Donna Gail McPherson.

In one of life’s bittersweet moments, Jean went to be with the Lord less than 24 hours before her firstborn daughter, Barbara Wise. While her family grieves their loss, they find comfort in believing Jean was waiting in Heaven to welcome her daughter home and that they are now celebrating together in eternal peace.

Jean was the very definition of strength, resilience, and grace. She lost her first husband as they were still raising their three children. From there, her journey took her to working as a fashion buyer for Belk Lindsey Department Store in Florida to eventually settling in Smiths Station,

Alabama, where she and her beloved husband, “Q,” created a life together on their 90-acre farm.

Retirement for Jean was anything but quiet. She became an antiques dealer and business owner, spending years restoring furniture by hand and operating her own antiques store. She embraced farm life fully — wrangling cows, tending gardens, and creating a home that became the heart of the family. She also made space for generations to come, allowing family members to build homes on the land where many still live today.

Above all else, Jean loved her family. Sundays meant gathering around her table at exactly 5:00 p.m. for dinner — a tradition treasured by children, grandchildren, and anyone lucky enough to be invited. Her recipes became family legends: chicken and dumplings, potato donuts, German chocolate cake, and a freezer that never seemed to run out of chocolate chip cookies.

Jean was blessed to watch not only her children and grandchildren grow into adulthood but also to become an active and cherished part of her great-grandchildren’s lives. To them, she was lovingly known as “Gigi”— always ready to rock a baby, offer comfort, or take one more golf cart ride around the farm.

Though she was known for her strength, hospitality, and unwavering love for family, Jean would want to be remembered most for her love of the Lord. Her faith guided her life and shaped the legacy she leaves behind. Before she became unable to attend, she was a devoted member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, where she treasured the fellowship and friendships she found there. True to her generous spirit, she especially loved cooking big pots of food to share at church gatherings and helping bring people together around the table.

Jean was the matriarch of a large and deeply connected family. She will be forever missed, but her memory will continue to live on through the stories, traditions, meals, and love she gave so generously.

She is survived by her son, Steve McPherson (Kathy); daughter, Teresa Strong (Jerry); grandchildren Bonnie Brown (Will), Nikki Wise Kingrey, Summer Aiello (Mike), Kelly Williams, David Strong (Paula), Sherry Donaldson (Jed), Jenny Harris (Ben), and Meagan Roberts (Wes); and 19 great-grandchildren: Jake, Jack, Ava, Hunter, Thomas, Jackson, Caden, Anna, Natalie, Hudson, Matt, Paige, Brock, Grady, Ella, Eli, Luke, Mac, and Bella.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”