Jean Coleman Blake

JEAN BLAKE

Jean Coleman Blake, 90, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully on a beautiful Saturday morning, October 6, 2018 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. It was just the kind of day that Jean loved and enjoyed. Jean was born and had lived in Columbus, Mississippi most of her life. Being the faithful and loving wife that she was, Jean willingly moved with her husband, Bill, as his job with the then Bell South Telephone Company took them to Philadelphia and Meridian, Mississippi, over to Atlanta, Georgia, and finally back home to Columbus. Jean made many friends along the way and enjoyed all of her neighbors and church family in each place that they lived.

Jean was born in Columbus on October 21, 1927. She was the daughter of Ed Coleman (Pop) and Clara Jackson Coleman (Bomba). Jean’s love of learning was satisfied with her graduating from S. D. Lee High. Attending college “back then” was unusual, but Jean earned her degree from Bowling Green College in Kentucky and returned to Columbus to use the bookkeeping skills she had learned. She was a long time bookkeeper at Puckett-McGee. When Dr. John Murfee, Jr. came to town she stepped in and kept up with not only all of his patients, but his books for a number of years. Not stopping Jean in her retirement, she worked part time keeping her brother’s books at Dixie Auto Parts. There was never a decimal out of place or a monthly balance not in balance with Jean at the helm.

After raising two wonderful and successful children, Jean finally had the time to enjoy her many roses and her large herb garden and greenhouse. She never missed a time to be outside on her deck with her beloved husband, William Robert Blake of more than fifty years. After dark, when there was no more daylight to enjoy, she knitted scarves for the patients of the Baptist Memorial Hospital Cancer Center. Never wanting any recognition, Jean was simply called the “Scarf Lady” by the many patients that enjoyed her gift. Of course, each day was finished with reading and studying her Bible, her faith being her guiding light.

Jean is predeceased by her husband, Bill, by ten years. She leaves behind a loving son, Phillip (Karen) of Montgomery, Alabama and her daughter, Dr. Bonnie, as she is affectionately called, and her husband Marvin of Columbus. Remembering and missing Jean is her niece, Carol Littlejohn (Mike Bernsen) and her best friend and sister-in-law, Betsy Coleman. Continuing to celebrate her life is also her great nephew, Judson Littlejohn and his wife Jennifer and their son, Cole. Brought into Jean’s life through marriage were four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren which she accepted and considered her own.

Following Jean’s wishes, the visitation will be held Monday, October 8, 2018 at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home College Street at 10:00 a.m. with a graveside service that will follow at Memorial Gardens. Conducting the service were Brothers Breck Ladd and Tommy Gillon of Fairview Baptist Church. Pallbearers were Judson Littlejohn, Ronnie Ray, Don Strickland and Bob Williford.

There are so many friends and church members at Fairview Baptist and friends in Montgomery to thank but the list would grow too long and you know who you are. However, Phillip and Karen along with Dr. Bonnie and Marvin would like to especially thank Jean’s caregivers: Annette, Daisy, Georgia and Onita for keeping her comfortable and safe. It would be remiss not to thank the Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle ICU Staff for their kind and compassionate care and guidance in the care of their Mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to either of the following: Fairview Baptist Missions, 127 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702 or Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary, 144 Sanctuary Loop, Caledonia, MS 39740.