Jean Dillard Pound age 94 of Marietta, died peacefully at her home, 4025 Tritt Homestead Dr. on November 29, 2022.
A memorial visitation will be held from 3 til 5 p.m. Friday, December 2, 2022 at Hardy-Towns Funeral Home.
Jean was born February 16, 1928, in Eastman, GA to Doyle Madison Dillard and Lorena Yaun Dillard. She was a retired teacher and lived most of her life in Eastman. She and her beloved Olin moved to Marietta in 2012 to be near their family.
Jean graduated as salutatorian of the Eastman High School class of 1945. She graduated from Mars Hill Junior College in 1947 and and then enrolled at Bessie Tift College in Forsyth GA, graduating in 1949 with a degree in History. While attending both Mars Hill and Bessie Tift, Jean enrolled in every PE class offered and joined every intramural and intercollegiate team she could. She became the first transfer student to hold a major office at Bessie Tift when she was elected as president of the Women's Athletic Association. After graduating, Jean taught elementary school in Jacksonville FL, Dublin GA, and Eastman GA. She and Olin married in 1953 shortly after he returned home from serving in the Army. She spent the next 20 years as a homemaker, raising three children, playing bridge, hosting parties, and volunteering at church and in the community. In 1974, Jean returned to the classroom. While teaching, she went back to school to get a BA in Elementary Education. Her love of teaching and her love for her students led her to continue school and she received her Master of Education in 1978.
Jean was involved in many civic and other organizations throughout her lifetime, often holding leadership positions. She was a charter member of the Eastman Jaycettes, taught Sunday School and MYF, led Vacation Bible School, was a room mother and officer of PTA, was a Cub Scout Den Mother. Additionally, she was involved with the Red Cross, the March of Dimes, Relay for Life, the Dodge County Youth Council and Habitat for Humanity. Along with Olin, she was actively involved as a volunteer and chaperone for the Dodge County Band Boosters from 1965-1978 and as members of the Dodge Historical Society, they were instrumental in revitalizing the Eastman House so it could be opened to the community.
Jean was a member and pillar of the Eastman First United Methodist serving on many committees including serving as UMW treasurer for 20 years. She faithfully attended church, including virtual services, until her death. She was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Marietta and was a member of the Early Bird Circle there. Jean was also an active member of P.E.O. Chapter AM/Marietta where she served as Guard and hosted chapter meetings at her community clubhouse for several years.
Jean and Olin shared a fairy tale love story. In their words, they became sweethearts on November 11,1938 at 3:30pm. They married February 15,1953. While a 68-year marriage is certainly not the norm, being in love for over 82 years is extraordinary.
She is survived by her daughter, Clair Pound Hetherington (Scott) of Marietta; son, O. Crawford Pound, III (Debra) of Woodstock; granddaughter Laurie Hetherington of Marietta; grandson Stephen Hetherington of Lexington, SC; granddaughter Angela Burton (Zack) of Marietta; grandson Alex Pound of Atlanta; grandson Sgt. James Wells, USMC of Camp LeJeune, NC; and great granddaughters Ivy and Layla Burton of Marietta.
Jean was predeceased by Olin and by her son Lauren "Dillard" Pound.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Eastman First UMC, Mt. Zion UMC or Reborn Minds, 3005 Treeridge Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022.
Hardy-Towns Funeral Home of Eastman is in charge of arrangements. www.hardy-towns.com