Jean D. Oliver Somerville passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospital, Huntington, following a recent stroke.

A much loved resident of Point Pleasant, Jean was born on November 11, 1930, the oldest of three children, to Cecil Leland Oliver and Mary Inez Eckard.

A loving mother, steadfast grandmother and sister, and a wonderful friend to many, Jean was a retired school teacher from Mason County Public Schools where she had taught several subjects, including Spanish, to Point Pleasant's children for several years. Jean lived with her daughter, Paula, for the past 4 years, sharing a very close, very special mother-daughter relationship which also brought them the comfort and security of knowing that they were truly each other's best friend.

Jean was an avid reader and collector of books, magazines and any newspaper articles or recipes that seemed to strike her fancy. She loved words, and in particular would chuckle when they were used in the wrong context. She enjoyed crossword puzzles as part of her daily routine, yet she also enjoyed trying new things in order to feed her quick mind and eternally youthful spirit. Jean loved making plans for trips, recently having traveled with her family to Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's house in southwestern Pennsylvania, which had been a long-time aspiration. She had also traveled recently to Italy with Paula, and with dear friend, Mary Fowler, and her Travel Time Tours, that destination also having been an aspiration for many years. Her studious nature and desire to get the most out of every moment of her trips are shown by the copious notes she would make to herself both before and during a vacation about fun things to do or important places to see. Her love for flowers and nature are apparent in the lovely landscape of her home, as well as in the clothes she liked to wear and in the patterns and colors she chose to decorate.

Jean very much loved being a part of her children's lives and enjoyed going to her grandchildren's sporting events and being their "Gege." In particular, over the years she enjoyed sitting with her son, Ty, and listening to him while he played the piano for her. She also loved to hear Paula sing and mostly she enjoyed when she was singing along with both of her children. In recent years she became a fan of the Cleveland Indians and enjoyed following the team's games each summer with her sister, Linda, and brother-in-law, Roy. She also loved visiting with them in their home and playing board games as a family. A child of the "Big Band" era, Jean loved the music and dances of that time period and frequently shared stories of her youth and what she would do in order to get to a dance hall so that she could "swing" with her friends and occasionally sing with some of the bands. All those who were close to her will remember her for the lovely way she would toss back her head and laugh, as if to toss caution to the wind, and always with a wonderful glint in her eye, ever beautiful.

She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

Jean is survived by her two children from her marriage to Paul Somerville - Paula and Ty (June); two grandchildren, Taylor and Alex, all of Point Pleasant; two sisters, Linda (Roy) Jameson of Belpre, WV, and Carole Rink of Brandon, Fla.; nieces Kelli (Scot) Burdette of Pataskala, Ohio, Kristen (Fiancé, Massood) Jameson of Columbus, Oh., nephews Matt (Samrawit) Jameson of Westerville, Oh., and Brent Davis of Riverview, Fla; grandnephews, Nathan and Justin Burdette of Pataskala and grandnieces Andrea and Danielle Davis of Riverview, Fla.; great-grandniece, Bria Ward, of Riverview, Fla; and many friends. She was the very dear friend of Cheryl and Mark Jenson, of Charlotte, NC, and their sons', Alex and Tyler's "Nana."

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; and by her longtime and faithful companion of 11 years, Joseph Earl Robinson.

Jean's life will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, with Rev. Neil Cadle officiating. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service, at the church. Burial will be conducted privately.

The family has entrusted her care to Crow-Hussell Funeral Home. There is an online registery available at: crowhussellfh.com.