Jean Jones Obituary

Jean Gullett Jones was born March 8, 1939, in Nashville, TN to James (Nath) B. Gullett and Joan Seaton Gullett. She is predeceased in death by her parents, daughter Jennifer Lynn Olander and grand-daughter Anna Marie Jean Olander.
Jean is survived by her loving daughter Cathy Schulz (Dave), grandchildren David Schulz, Sadie Schulz (who adored their Gigi) and Alicia Olander as well as 3 great-grandchildren (Marie, Sylas, Matteo). Jean is also survived by her sisters Alicia K. McCormick and Mary Noel Vinson, and nieces Elaine Kiger, Laurel Wilkerson and nephew Eric Vinson. She has 2 great nephews (Jonathan and David). Jean was blessed with the love of many lifetime friends who proved that families don't necessarily have to be biological, and they lovingly nicknamed her "Queen Jean."
Jean grew up in Atlanta, GA and graduated from Druid Hills High School. While in school she was involved with ballet, which was a life-long passion. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts. She began her teaching career in Atlanta, GA. After moving to Jackson, MS in 1973, she earned her master's degree in early education from Mississippi College while working full time and raising 2 young children. Jean later received another post graduate degree in School Administration and Supervision.
In the late 1970s, Jean began her Mississippi journey in Early Education teaching first and second grade at St. Andrew's Episcopal School. She moved into Administration in the early 1990s. She served first as Assistant Head of Lower School, then as Head of the Lower School. While in these roles Jean loved learning about new curriculums to implement for growth of younger minds, and being in the classroom with students was her passion. She retired from St. Andrew's after 32 years of service. Jean was beloved by her St. Andrew's community who dedicated the Lower School chapel in her honor as the "Jean Jones Chapel." In her "retirement," Jean worked part-time teaching reading at Jackson Academy's Department for Academic
Resource and Diversified Leaning and in the past few years she enjoyed working in the St. Andrew's Upper
School Library and engaging once again with students.
Jean was a life-long learner and started taking Italian classes in her Seventies. She loved Pilates, Bunco and her book club. Jean never passed on the opportunity to explore the world including trips to Asia (one trip with a broken foot – against Dr. advice), Fiji, England, Iceland, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, France, Scotland, and Italy to name a few. Jean was a patron of the arts including ballet, opera and theatre. She loved church, reading, travel, dinner with friends, sailing and she was an excellent cook.
Jean was a passionate cradle born Episcopalian, and she loved her church community at St. James Episcopal. She participated in Altar Guild (where her grandchildren loved helping her when in town) and served as a Lector. She was a graduate of EFM and Daughters of the King.
Jean was a firm believer in the lesson of Luke 12:48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be expected" (a lesson she firmly instilled in her children). She was involved in Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi Children's Museum, Leadership Jackson, Board Member of Ballet Mississippi, a volunteer for the International Ballet Competition and Hospice Ministries.
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Jean G. Jones will be on February 28, 2025, at Noon at St. James Episcopal Church. Everyone is invited to join in immediately after the service at the Parish Hall to share memories and stories with Family and Friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can by made in Jean's honor to St. James Episcopal Church or St. Andrew's Episcopal School.