Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home

Online Condolences

From: Ron Harman Nashville Tennessee
Relationship: Friend

I feel very fortunate to have known Jean and to have called her my friend. For many years Jean always flew down to attend the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree here in Nashville when our friend, Grand Ole Opry member Jan Howard hosted it. She was last here on March 28, 2009, for the Jamboree. Just a few days before she passed away I had placed a photo of Jean and Jan Howard taken on that night on Jan’s website, and had emailed Jean to tell her that I’d placed the photo on the site. For years there’s been another photo of Jean and Jan on the same website page. That photo was taken back in 1994 when Jean was on a cruise on which Jan performed. Just a day before she passed away, I had sent an email to Jean with photos of Jan and Jeannie Seely from their prior weekend’s Opry performances. Jean was a big fan of both of them and she always kept up with their schedules and activities. She flew down to help celebrate Jeannie’s 40th Opry Anniversary in September of 2007, and she had once pointed out to me that her name was Jean Marilyn and Jeannie’s real name is Marilyn Jean. Jean was here in October of 2008 when Jan and Leona Williams hosted the Jamboree, and the time before that was in August of last year when Jan hosted it alone. Jean looked so forward to attending the Midnite Jamboree, and Jan would always acknowledge her from the stage and thank her for once again making the trip down. Jean called both Jan and I frequently, and although she had to walk seven blocks to the library to use their computer, she also frequently sent email messages. I had just received one such email when Jean found out The Browns were reuniting to host the Midnite Jamboree, and she told me how much she loved their song “The Three Bells” and how she wished she could attend the Midnite Jamboree in July to hear them sing it. Jean always sent Jan and me packages on every holiday and on our birthdays. For example, I received a large tin from the Popcorn Factory this year at Easter time. Jean had a very big heart, and she was a very caring person. She would always ask how others were doing, including my family members whom she had met at the Jamboree, and she would place individuals on her church’s prayer list and reassure me they were being prayed for. Jean made frequent donations to the Opry Trust Fund, as well as many other charitable organizations. She donated her time frequently and spent her Christmases working for the Christmas Cheer Foundation preparing meals. When I forwarded an email from country singer Helen Cornelius last year regarding the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Walk, Jean faithfully sent a donation for it. And when Jeannie Seely was collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Jean again sent a check down. When Porter Wagoner passed away, Jean sent down a check in his memory to the Opry Trust Fund. I learned she made monthly contributions to many organizations including her church, the Salvation Army, and the Olive Branch Mission. She also sent contributions to the Anti-Cruelty Society to help support her four-legged friends. Jean had written in a recent email to me that she hoped to make it back down to Nashville in the fall of this year. Jan Howard will be hosting the Midnite Jamboree on October 17th, and it will be very difficult for us because we know Jean would have flown down for the show. She will still be there in spirit, and we will certainly feel her presence and love. Jean attended sewing conventions, and she said she was considering attending one in Albuquerque the month she passed away. She flew to a sewing exposition in the state of Washington in February of this year, an annual event for her. She was a big collector of everything from Precious Moments figurines to teddy bears to dolls to Donald Zolan miniature plates to sheet music. She was able to speak in numerous languages and she also used to write. Over the years she had sent me several things she had authored. In closing, I remember Jan dedicating the song “Remember The Good” (one of Jean’s favorites) to Jean on the Midnite Jamboree. And now I remember Jean by thinking about all the good things that Jean brought to others’ lives. I feel very blessed to have known such a kind, caring, thoughtful and loving person, and I will miss her greatly. Ron Harman Nashville, Tennessee
Sent: 9/28/2009