Jean (Neavell) Woods, 80, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2024, at her home in Claremont, Illinois surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 1, 1944, in Orange County, California, she was the daughter of Paul and Maxyne (Yorton) Neavell.
Jean’s early years were marked by a strong involvement in the arts. She was a member of the Children’s Screen Actors Guild, served as editor of her high school yearbook, and was honored by actor Martin Sheen as the Most Beautiful Girl of her 1962 graduating class in Wayne City, Illinois. Jean’s love for the arts continued throughout her life. She co-owned J.L. Wood World Crafts with her best friend of 54 years, Liz Stout, and together they enjoyed many late nights working on crafts and participating in craft shows.
Jean was immensely proud of her work as a seamstress and costume designer for Camelot, A Christmas Carol, and other productions at Olney Central College. Her diverse talents included dog grooming, EEG/EKG technology at Richland Memorial Hospital, being one of Illinois’ first certified EMTs, and cake baking and decorating. In the 1970s, she took great pride in sewing her children’s Halloween costumes, helping them achieve numerous first-prize awards at the Olney Halloween parade, including one Grand Prize. Quilting was a lifelong passion for Jean; she was a dedicated member of the Olney Quilt Guild since 2003 and continued to quilt up until her passing.
Jean is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Elvis Woods; her children, Brian Woods (Nikki) of Claremont, Illinois, Billye Beckham (Greg) of Evansville, Indiana, and Jerri Allen (Gene) of Bridgeport, Illinois. She is also survived by stepchildren Kevin Woods (Julie) and Deb McElroy (Paul), both of Olney, Illinois. Jean’s cherished grandchildren include Stacie Stephens (John) of Olney, Illinois, Jordan Miller of St. Paul, Minnesota, Stephen Cecil (Hillary) of Olney, Illinois, Nikki McElroy (Robert) of Indiana, Chenye Miller of Chesterfield, Michigan, Casey Senecal (Shelby) of Olney, Illinois, Logan McElroy (Kimberly) of Olney, Illinois, Austin Woods (Jillian) of Olney, Illinois, Hannah Wallace (Alec) of Farmington, Maine, Emmye Abbott (Cameron) of Industry, Maine, Adam Cecil of Olney, Illinois, Rachel Reyman (Cody) of Robards, Kentucky, Drake Allen of Bridgeport, Illinois, Haley Leavell (Eric) of Nevada, Missouri, and Dalton Allen (Alesha) of Bridgeport, Illinois. She is also survived by 25 great grandchildren; her sister Shirley Schierbaum (Jerry) of Bluford, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; and a sister, Paula Colclasure.
Jean Woods will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, her extraordinary ability to make her children and grandchildren feel special, her infectious positivity, and her tremendous capacity for love.
Visitation will be held on August 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, 241 West Main Street, Albion, Illinois, followed by a formal funeral service at 11 a.m., and burial at Union Congregational Cemetery in rural Edwards County.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jean’s honor to Borrowed Hearts, Evansville, Indiana. https://www.borrowedheartsfoundation.org
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice, Dr. De Venecia, and his team for their compassionate care during this time.
Ingram Meridith Funeral Home of Albion is honored to assist the family with arrangements.
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