"Safely Home" Jean Harper Beauchamp, 82, of Florence, passed away Sunday, Sept.27, 2009 of complications resulting from a stroke suffered at her home on March 12, 2007. She had been a resident at Mitchell Hollingsworth Nursing and Rehab Center since June, 2007. Visitation will be held 6:00pm until 8:00pm Thursday, October 1, 2009:at Elkins Funeral Home, 1535 Hermitage Dr. Florence. Service will be held at 2:00pm Friday October 2, 2009 at the chapel of First Baptist Church, Florence with visitation for one hour prior to the service in the Atrium. Kevin Johnson will officiate. Interment will follow at Greenview Memorial Cemetery.
Jean was born in Augusta, GA to Dr. Robert E. and Lessie Harper on Sept. 5, 1927 and later moved to Tuscumbia. She graduated from Deshler High School in 1945 as class Valedictorian. After school, she enjoyed hanging out'' and The Palace in Tuscumbia. Her education continued at Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, GA where she received her BA in Music in 1949 and at Peabody College (now Vanderbilt) in Nashville, TN where she received her MA in Music Education in 1951. She taught in Tuscumbia City Schools (music) 1951 - 1955 and in Knoxville, TN schools (music and German) 1955 - 1957.
She was introduced to W.L. Bill'' Beauchamp at the swimming hole at Wilson Dam in 1948. They dated for seven years as she completed her education, married on June 7, 1955 and enjoyed 48+ years together before he passed away on Dec. 30, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her brother, R.E. Edwin'' Harper, Jr. of Decatur.
Jean started teaching private piano lessons in her home in 1963. This was the beginning of an inspiring and enjoyable career lasting 44 years. She brought the joy of piano and music to hundreds of children and adults, each of them learning on the baby grand piano in her living room. Her teaching and her students were a wonderful source of happiness to her. She truly loved every minute she was teaching and she always had a schedule as full as she could handle. Jean was still teaching and preparing her students for Spring Recital when she suffered her stroke. Some of her former students will present a musical tribute to her during her service.
Her church was very special to her. A member of First Baptist Church, Florence for more than 49 years, Jean was currently a member of the Ruth Sunday School class. She spent many years teaching the 4 and 5 year old Sunday School Classes and was the church pianist from 1966 until the early nineties. She was also a long time member of the Florence Music Study Club in which she held numerous offices and a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha.
Jean leaves behind her daughter, Janet Cochran Nichols and husband David, Tuscumbia; her son Frank Beauchamp, Florence; one niece Mary Beth Harper Sweeney and husband Chuck, Madison; two nephews, Michael Harper & wife Cindy, Decatur; Keith Harper, Decatur and sister-in-law Frances B. Harper, Decatur. "G-Mom" will be especially missed and always loved by her only grandchild, Douglas Cochran of Muscle Shoals. Their times together -going to Staggs for lunch, reading books, Saturday nights at her house, her special hamburgers; and in later years lunches out and drives for her to see the houses he was building - were some of the brightest and most special times she had. During his childhood, she was his main baby sitter and they built a special relationship as he grew up. The friendship they shared was one of her greatest joys - she adored him as much as he adored her. She will be remembered for her Christian values and kind nature and will be missed by her family, neighbors, students and fellow pew mates at First Baptist.
Pallbearers will be Douglas Cochran, Michael Harper, Keith Harper, Steven Nichols, Edward Michael and Chuck Sweeney. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Lyman Mitchell, Dr. Harold Parker and Dr. Paul Yokley.
Our family wishes to thank the many wonderful people involved in Mother''s care during her illness: To the staff on ECM 3rd, 5th and 6th West during her time of medical recovery; to the nurses, supervisors and caregivers on Mitchell Hollingsworth Station 6 during her long period of daily care and to Dr. Lyman Mitchell for your outstanding care and concern for Mother.
My personal thanks to Mother''s sitters who have shared her life and our lives daily - Lula Young, Clezell Prince, Cricket Middleton and Amy Musgrave Davis. You ladies loved and cared for Mother like she belonged to you. For your kindness and dedication to my Mother, I thank you all so very much. And to David -Thank you for your unwavering love and support for our family. Without you, I simply couldn''t have made it. ~ Love, Janet
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 209 N. Walnut St., Florence, AL 35630 or Colbert County Animal Control Association, 5010 Missouri St., Tuscumbia, AL 35674.
Mother loved her family so much. Her greatest wish was that we all find peace and happiness in our lives and she did all she could to help provide that. Her patience, kindness and strength caused us to often look to her for guidance, support and patience of our own. Our lives will go on but will never be the same. May she watch over us as we carry on and continue to guide and inspire us each day. We love you!