Jean Fuston
Jean Tankesley Fuston, 92, of Signal Mountain, died on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Jean also known as “Tanky” to her friends, was a lifelong resident of Signal Mountain and the Chattanooga area. She was born June 30, 1924, the daughter of Edwin and Margaret Tankesley. She graduated from high school, then in the early 1940’s rode a steam engine train (the Chattanooga Choo Choo) back and forth from Chattanooga to Philadelphia, where she attended a private girl’s college.
After completion of her studies, she married S. Del Fuston, Jr., and the real adventure of her life began. She gave her soul to raising five children and with THESE children that proved to be a full time job! Jean and Del had their first child, Del III, in 1950. Soon after the Korean War began, Del was recalled to naval service and assigned as a legal officer to Bermuda, where their second son, Eddie, was born. On return to the states, three other children followed, Sally, Doug and Roger.
Jean made their home a center of activity for her children and all their friends. She stayed busy supporting them in their activities. Her love for animals, both large and small, provided many stories during those years, from a pet crow named George, to dogs and cats of every variety. Her latest was Dahlia, sweetest of all cats, and her constant companion in her latest years.
Jean had an appreciation for nature in all its manifestations, enjoying the bloom of every flower or just a line of trees on the horizon. She also had a gift for appreciating those people she met, congratulating them for every accomplishment, asking about their families, showing an awareness of their struggles, and being curious about the details of their lives. She performed public service that went unrecognized, including delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors and working at the polls during election seasons. Like one son commented, she had a good, long run…and the world is better for it.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Del; and two sons, Eddie and Del.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Sally Fuston; sons, Doug (Mary Bean) Fuston, and Roger Fuston of Birmingham; grandchildren, Sarah Fuston of Birmingham and Sam Fuston of Oxford, MS; brother, Ed Tankesley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Signal Crest United Methodist Church, Alexian Home Health Care and Mrs. Earline Hudgins for the love and care given to Jean in her later years.
All family and friends are invited to a visitation at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37412, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 12-1 p.m., followed by a graveside services at 1:30 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.