Jean Gunter Beard went to be with her Lord on November 24, 2022. She passed away peacefully in her home in Crossville, Tennessee, surrounded by her family. She was 102 years old. Jean was born on May 4, 1920, in Primrose Canada. She was the oldest of four children. Jean was only 6 years old when her mother died unexpectedly. This forced Jean to grow up quickly, caring for her siblings and helping support her family; developing a strong work ethic that she maintained throughout her long life. After surviving the Great Depression, she continued working and held a series of jobs with increasing responsibilities. In early 1944 Jean joined the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Services and served with distinction through the end of World War II until discharged in March 1946. Jean had always desired to work in the United States, so after her discharge, she accepted a job in Chicago, Illinois.  In May 1950 Jean married Rollie Gunter, a U.S. Army serviceman.  Jean and Rollie had 7 children and lived in Clarksville, Tennessee. Jean later married William Beard in 1976. Together they managed the Queen City Oil Company until his death in 1986.  Jean later moved to Crossville, Tennessee to be near her youngest daughter, Judy.

Jean was a devout Christian who cherished life and loved living. Although she worked until she was 90, she still found time to travel extensively. She loved new places, new people, and good food. However, Jean’s greatest love and her final legacy was her family. She felt truly blessed as in the two days prior to her passing she was able to visit with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her love for her family was unbounded.

Jean was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Mary Hill, her brother Ken Hill, her sister Marge McGibbon, her first husband Rollie Gunter, and her second husband William “Billy” Beard.

She is survived by her sister Betty Hart of Toronto, Canada, and she is lovingly remembered by her children and their families; daughter Carolyn Reynolds and her husband Wayne of Woodlawn, Tennessee, daughter Jacqui Ellis and her husband Frank of Raleigh, North Carolina, son Ron Gunter and his wife Cynthia of Fayetteville, North Carolina, her son Stanley Gunter of Sarasota, Florida, her son Robert Gunter and his wife Judy of Cookeville, Tennessee, her daughter Mary Jean Stuard and her husband F.E. of Purcell, Oklahoma, and daughter Judy England and her husband Michael of Crossville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

The family is thankful and extremely grateful for Jean’s devoted caregiver Ms. Brenda Shirks of Rockwood, Tennessee.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Guthrie, Kentucky on December 29, 2022, at 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Cumberland County, Crossville, Tennessee.