Jean W. Micklem

Jean Garland Wilson Micklem, age 84, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, April 17, 2011, in the loving arms of her family at her new home in White Stone, VA. Mrs. Micklem was born November 3, 1926 in Hopewell, VA; the eldest of four daughters born to the late Dr. Edward Ashlin and Ruth Garland Wilson. She was predeceased by sisters, Sarah McLean Wilson Lisanick (Sally), Elizabeth Warner Wilson East (Betsy), and Lucy Jeffries Wilson Schultz. She is survived by her husband, James Trahern Micklem, Sr., to whom she has been married two months short of 63 years. Also surviving is her son, James Trahern Micklem, Jr., of Hopewell, VA; daughter, Ruth Garland Micklem, of White Stone, VA; granddaughters, Suzanne Ashlin Shepherd (Blair), of White Stone, VA, and Elizabeth Garland Shepherd (Dan), of Chesterfield County, VA; great-grandchildren, Oliver Micklem McAninch, Liliana Grillo-Shepherd, and James Daniel Grillo-Shepherd. Other survivors include niece, Suzanne Jeffries East Carr, of Henrico County, VA; nephew, John Jeffries Lisanick, of Alexandria, VA; brother-in-law, John James Lisanick, of Alexandria, VA; and a special friend, Kristi VanAudenhove, of White Stone, and her children, Briana, of Los Angeles, CA and Michael, of Williamsburg, VA. After graduating from St. Maryâ??s Junior College in Raleigh, NC, Jean enrolled in R.P.I. (now VCU), completing her undergraduate degree in 1947. During her working years, she earned graduate credits from the University of Virginia, the College of William and Mary, and Virginia State College. After teaching in Hopewell for one year, she worked as Program Director for the Hopewell Recreation Department. This was followed by employment as a Case Worker with the Montgomery County Department of Welfare when her husband was a student at Virginia Tech. The next thirty-five years were spent teaching primary grades, special education classes and serving as a Visiting Teacher (School Social Worker) in the Petersburg Public School System. During her tenure there, she was asked by the school administration to accept a number of challenging classroom and other assignments, all of which she performed in a highly professional manner; notwithstanding the fact that she had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1967. The debilitating effect of this condition finally resulted in her retirement in 1987. While working, Jean was active on the Board of Southside Area Mental Health Association, Planning Committee of the Crater Child Protective Team, board member of the Richmond Area Multiple Sclerosis Society, board member of the Fellowship Field Nursery School, in addition to an active role in a number of professional and community organizations and church committees. After retirement, she and her husband returned to the Hopewell area where Jean continued her community involvement by serving on the Board of Trustees of Historic Hopewell Foundation, Vice Director of the City Point Branch of the APVA and member of the Hopewell Board of Architectural Review. During the past few years the disability that had been her constant companion for some forty-four years, finally made it necessary for her to reluctantly withdraw from all of her chosen activities. Jean, while able was an avid reader with a special interest in history. She had an abiding love for her native state, especially the beautiful Northern Neck of Virginia where her family roots are extensive. She was known by friends and family as a person of integrity with a great sense of humor. She demonstrated to all a grace and charm with thoughts and actions always for others. She leaves for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren a legacy of love and compassion for all of Godâ??s creatures. The family wishes to thank Jeanâ??s caregivers: Beth Cervene, Melissa Owens, Myra Payne, and Cherrie Seldon who faithfully and compassionately served her needs during her last few months. A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Micklemâ??s life will be held at Saint Johnâ??s Episcopal Church in City Point (since 1923 part of Hopewell, VA) Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 11:00AM with a reception to follow the service in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ribble Hall restoration project at Saint Johnâ??s Episcopal Church, 505 Cedar Lane, Hopewell, VA 23860. Condolences may be registered online at www.jtmorriss.com .