Jean Wall Lemley

Jean Lemley, 94, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus in January 28, 2026 surrounded by family.

She was born December 1931 in Monrovia to Leo and Lawsie. Jean was raised in Monrovia until the family moved to Eustis Street in Huntsville where she attended Huntsville High and graduated in 1950. She attended Auburn University, majoring in Home Economics, before returning to Huntsville and working at Redstone Arsenal where she met her future husband Clark E. Lemley Jr. of Houston, Texas who was stationed there. They were married in 1953 at Mt Zion Baptist Church.

Jean and Clark moved to Texas before settling in St. Louis, Missouri where all four of their children were born. While raising her family, Jean became the consummate volunteer serving as a den mother, as a school nurse, and at church in numerous committees, activities, and youth groups. She baked countless birthday cakes for the boys and girls of the local childrens home. As her children got older, Jean took college courses, worked at the college bookstore, sold real estate, and was the secretary at Parkway Baptist Church in Creve Coeur, Missouri. She enriched her children's lives in many ways; cooking, sewing, providing a pleasant and stimulating home life. She loved learning new things including advanced cake decorating, upholstering, and refinishing furniture, and caning chairs. She always taught by example about the joys of living and experiencing God's creation anew day by day.

Jean and Clark returned to Monrovia in 1985 following his retirement from McDonnell Douglas. An active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Jean volunteered in many capacities as well as working as a secretary in the church office. Jean also enjoyed many years volunteering at Harrison Brothers Hardware Store. Jean and Clark traveled extensively to faraway places such as Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, China, and Azerbaijan.

Her faith in Christ was the cornerstone of her life and she lived it out with quiet strength. She loved her family, her friends and her church. She poured boundless love into the lives of her grandchildren, and always put other's needs before her own. We believe the Lord said to her, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Jean is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, one sister, one sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Lawsie, husband Clark, brother Jimmy D., sister Ann, and nephew David.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church followed by the service at 2:30 pm. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt. Zion Cemetery Trust Fund or your favorite charity.