Jean (Whitfield) Jacobs

Jean Whitfield Jacobs, age 96 of Oneida, TN, passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2022. She was born in Polk County, TN in 1926. She was the daughter of Elias Welborn and Stella Witt Whitfield, who preceded her in death.
 
Most of all, she loved her family. She was always grateful when any of her ten great-grandchildren would visit, and she delighted in their company. They learned to be calm and respectful, although she forgave often along the way because that is what great-grandmothers do.
 
Many people were influenced by her teaching as well. Years after her retirement, former students would comment about "Happy the Clown," a desk ornament which she used to encourage students to get along and love each other.
 
She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and Certification in Library Science. She taught school in Polk, Morgan, Scott, and Williamson Counties as well as the Oneida Special School District. She was librarian at Oneida Elementary School, retiring in 1989 with 41 years of service. After retiring, she substituted and volunteered in the Oneida High School library for several years, a position she dearly loved.
 
In 1994, she was given the Margaret McNamara "Reading is Fundamental" award sponsored by the Oneida RIF Program. She belonged to the Scott County Retired Teachers Association and held lifetime memberships in the Boys and Girls Clubs.
 
She was a long-term member of the First United Methodist Church of Oneida where in earlier years she sang in the choir, was a Sunday school teacher, on the church council, and a member of Forever Young.
 
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Andrew H. (Bill) Jacobs, son Dr. Steven H. Jacobs, brothers E.W. Whitfield, Jr., and Pat Whitfield, and sister Maxine Whitfield Portwood.
 
She is survived by her loving daughter Cindy Jacobs Hopkins and husband Jack of Knoxville; grandsons Daniel Jacobs and wife Erin of Maryville; Benji Jacobs and wife Morgan of Oneida; Greg Hopkins and wife Morgan of Knoxville, and Luke Hopkins of Knoxville; ten very special great-grandchildren, Caden, Brylee, Jaxon, William, Henley, Keegan, Brady, Jovie Grace, Crew, and Harrison. 
 
She is also survived by sister Barbara Whitfield Paul of Knoxville and daughter-in-law Pam Jacobs of Oneida.
 
The family would like to thank special caregiver Barbara Robbins for over four years of compassionate care. Also, a special thank you to friends, church family, and those who visited, sent cards, food, and prayers.
 
Friends may visit with the Jacobs family on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 8:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Oneida, TN, with Bro. David Gass officiating.

A private burial service for the family will held at Carson Memorial Park.  Serving as Pallbearers: Daniel Jacobs, Greg Hopkins, Luke Hopkins, Sonny Whitfield, Robin Paul, and Scott Paul.

Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of Jean Whitfield Jacobs.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean (Whitfield) Jacobs, please visit our floral store.