Jean Louise Hadley

With great sadness we announce the passing of Miss Jean Louise Hadley (Smith, Craig), age 83, of Burlison, TN. A beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother adored by all of her friends and family. She passed peacefully at the Baptist Tipton Hospital on February 23rd, 2026.

She is survived by two children, Steven and Susan, and her sister Ruth. Her mother and father, Doris and Otto Hadley, and her brother Mark, her son Chris, and daughter Tracy, will all be there to welcome her to heaven. All of these family members loved her beyond measure.

Her friends at Faith Baptist Church of Tipton County loved and cared for her as her second family. She loved attending services and Bible study on Sundays and forged lifetime friendships.

Jean graduated Mehlville High School in the class of 1959 and attended Southeast Missouri State University. She was an excellent student who loved to learn and explore, nurtured by her Mother, Doris, who was a career school teacher and Jean's most important role model.

Jean was introduced to the yarn arts by a very special person in her youth, her Grandmother, who lived in upstate New York. Throughout Jean's life she developed skills in knitting and crochet and enjoyed passing her love of making on to many friends. She shared this love with a wonderful group of ladies, the Fiber Divas, who enriched her life in all their meetings. Jean's greatest joy was to give a homemade gift and her skill and love created gifts for many. Her prayer shawls, sweaters, afghans, mittens and hats are spread far and wide, blanketing those she gifted with a lasting and tangible love. The gifts she leaves are treasures now, irreplaceable and invaluable.

One of Jean's greatest accomplishments was the making and raising of her son, Steve. For many years, Steve was her most devoted caretaker. His selfless love and understanding are a wonder and an inspiration.

She is missed.