Mrs. Doris Jean Bearden

COLUMBIA Memorial service for Doris Jean Donovan Bearden, 88, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at First Baptist Church, Boyce Chapel, with private burial in Elmwood Cemetery. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the church. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

Mrs. Bearden went to be with her Lord on Friday, June 20, 2014. Born February 11, 1926, in Montgomery, Ala., she was the only daughter of the late Grover C. Donovan and Carrie Sadie Willis Donovan. Jean grew up in Clanton, Ala. and was loved by everyone. She attended the local schools, graduating in 1944 from Chilton County High School and won numerous awards. Jean then attended Montevallo University in Montevallo, Ala. She sold more war bonds for the war effort than almost anyone in Chilton County. Jean was a published poet, publishing at the age of 14. She also taught at the local mill village, realizing even then that education was the key to their future. Jean was an avid, almost rabid, University of Alabama fan. From childhood, she first listened to football games on the radio and then was glued to the television for every game until her death. ROLL TIDE!

Jean was married to the late Joseph R. Bearden. While Joe attended and later graduated from ‘Bama, they lived in Tuscaloosa, where she thrived. She and Joe had their first child, Sharon, while living in Tuscaloosa. Upon Joe’s graduation, they settled in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where their second daughter, Lisa, was born. While in Tenn., Jean and Joe were founding members of First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge.

They moved their family to Columbia and immediately joined First Baptist Church of Columbia, where they had a long and active church life. Jean most recently served a co-teacher for the Baraca Class before her health declined. She was saddened when she could no longer attend church. However, every Sunday until her death, she continued to hear each sermon on television. Jean had a career in retail sales at Belk Department store in Columbia.

Surviving are her daughters, Sharon Bearden Tomlin, Dr. Lisa Bearden Jashinsky (Jay); her adored grandson, Joseph P. Tomlin, all of Columbia; and last but not least, her great-granddog, Jack, who gave her such pleasure during her last years. She is also survived by her brothers, the Rev. Fred R. Donovan (Betty) of Clanton, Ala., Frank Dovovan of Texas (Grace); and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pets Inc., 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170, First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or a charity of one’s choice.