Jean Eldredge

Emma “Jean” Bowman Eldredge, age 90, died peacefully on July 3^rd, 2021. Jean was born February 25, 1931in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the daughter of Bert Bowman and Mary Ethel Rollins. Jean was the 10^th of 12 siblings, who all pre-deceased her. She was the beloved wife of James Beecher “Jimmy” Eldredge, a local residential and commercial building contractor.

Jean enjoyed life in Cleveland and loved spending fun times with her family and friends. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. She and Jimmy were founding members of Westwood Baptist Church, here in Cleveland. She had many friends and family across the country who loved and cared for her and her love for them will be her legacy.

On October 4, 1946, Jean married the love of her life, Jimmy Eldredge. She assisted him as an interior decorator in his construction business until his untimely death in 1987. She was a long time sales associate and fashion purchaser, along with her sister-in-law, Flossie Bowman for Parks-Belk Department Store in Cleveland. Jean was also a bank teller and branch bank manager for Merchants Bank.

She enjoyed gardening and the times she spent working with and learning about flowers as a Life Member of the Cleveland Garden Club. She enjoyed decorating her home during Christmas time and was one of the first few in Cleveland to perfect the art of “flocking” her Christmas tree to transform it as if it was a live snow covered tree in the forest!

Jean became an accomplished ballroom dancer and traveled the world competing in professional championship competitions, where she met future brother and sister celebrities, Derek and Julianne Hough, of “Dancing with the Stars” fame.

Jean is survived by her children: Johnny Eldredge (Sandra Skipper) and Debbie Eldredge Johnston (Tucker). Other survivors include her four grandchildren: Chad Eldredge (Tanya), Miller Johnston (Jennifer), Hailey Johnston Hetzler (Andrew), and Barrett Johnston (Randi); six great-grandchildren: Madison Eldredge, Meredith Eldredge, Morgan Eldredge, Miller Eldredge, Eli Johnston, Tucker Johnston, and Piper Johnston, along with many nieces and nephews.

Her family will receive friends, Wednesday, July 14, 2021 from 4:00-6:00pm at Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home.  A private family burial will take place at a later date.

We especially want to express a heartfelt thanks to all the staff of Morningside Assisted Living Community, Amedisys Home Health, Hearth Hospice, and At Home Primary Care for the Loving Care they provided to our Mother!

In Lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to be made in Jeans memory to a charity of your choice. 

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Eldredge family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.