Imogene Finney "Jean" Jared

Jean Jared passed away on January 8, 2025, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina after a long and fulfilling life. Born in Lynchburg, Tennessee on September 18, 1926, to Walter Finney and Huldah Massey Finney, Jean was the youngest of seven children. Life on their farm was filled with adventure, but also heartache. Jean lost two brothers, Frank and Jim, weeks apart during World War II. Jean met the love of her life, Copeland in Lynchburg, and was married for nearly 70 years, until his death in 2015.
Jean had a servant's heart; serving her God, her church, her family, and her community. She volunteered at her church, bringing food to the sick, to celebrate a holiday, or the birth of a baby. It was the little things that may have gone unnoticed that brought her the most joy. Bringing a plate of food to a shut-in, listening to a person in need of a shoulder to cry on, running an errand for someone; those things brought joy to Jean. That is the definition of a servant's heart.
Jean and Red participated in elections for years, working the polls with Ed and Wanda. Again, family and community, as Ed was Copeland's brother and his friend as Wanda was Jean's dear friend. Jean was a Cub Scout leader for years serving her community and the youth of Cookeville. She worked at the housing authority, serving her community. Jean had order to her life-God, family, and community. Her church was important, her foundation, her strength. Her family was very important. Her children and grandchildren brought her great joy. Tales from the days of Tech Training were repeated until the last few days of her life. Football and baseball stories were told over and over, each time with excitement, each time sharing the love of her boys. With her grandchildren, her love continued. Enjoying the sporting events, the extended visits, the trips planned down to the minute to make each day wonderful was her pride and joy. Her granddaughters were her love, not having girls of her own to spoil made them special to her. Then the grandsons continued the traditions of going to games, cheering them on, yelling from the sidelines. Every visit the children were greeted with hugs, kisses, and a reminder there were chocolate chip cookies waiting for them. Ever the cook, Jean shared her skills with those around her, bringing smiles and love. As the family grew, her great-grandchildren brought more joy. Jean loved looking at her scrapbooks of her family, keeping up with their adventures. Jean loved her family with all her heart. You did not have to be related by blood to be a member of her family. Her neighbors, her M&M group, and her friends at church were all family held close to her heart.
She is survived by her son, Steve and wife, Regina, grandchildren Julie Demilio, Dr. Wendy Knight and husband, Jim, Rich Jared and wife, Jennifer, and Gary Jared and Kelsey Hergert, great grandchildren Malaki Bailey and wife, Gaby, Johanna Bailey, Alessandra Jean and Sophia Demilio, Ella and Jack Knight, Evelyn and Molly Jared, and one great-great granddaughter, Stella Quinn.
Jean was predeceased by her loving husband, Copeland, her parents Walter and Huldah Finney, her brothers and sisters, Crawford Finney, Frances Gray, Lt. Frank M. Finney, CPL James A. Finney, John Finney, and Annie Ruth Finney, one son, James Gordon Jared, and great grandchildren, Addison Ladd, Hannah Grace and Elijah James Knight.
Arrangements are being handled by Davis-Little in Rocky Mount and Crest Lawn in Cookeville. Visitation will be at Crest Lawn on Friday, January 17TH, from 5:00 until 7:00, with the service at Crest Lawn on Saturday, January 18th, at 11: 00, led by Buddy Johnson.
The family would like to thank Nash Hospice and Palliative Care for their outstanding care for Jean. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Nash Hospice and Palliative Care, 2416 Professional Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, in Jean's memory.