Jean Wallace Isbell

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 15, 2013

NATCHEZ — Private services were held for Jean Wallace Isbell, of Natchez, who died peacefully with her family by her side, Wednesday, March 13, 2013, after a long illness.

Burial followed at the Natchez City Cemetery beside her beloved husband, Kenneth, under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Jean was born Feb. 24, 1934, in Vicksburg, the daughter of William and Lola Wilma Wallace of Columbia, La.

Jean grew up in Natchez with a large family; three sisters, Betty Jo Griffin of Hot Springs, Ark., Doris Holloway of Winter Park, Fla., and Barbara Wallace of Monroe, La.; and two brothers, Billy Wallace and Donald Wallace, both of Columbia.

She was raised in the Methodist church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church and enjoyed the teachings of both.

She was a graduate of Natchez High School and attended Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Jean worked at Callon Petroleum and International Paper Company for a number years, while raising her daughter, Cindy.

She was married to the late Jasper James Seale, with whom she had a daughter, Cynthia Seale Hartman of Annapolis, Md., and two grandchildren, Charles Edward Hartman IV and Taylor Christian Hartman.

Jean married Kenneth Isbell in 1984, gaining four stepchildren, Ashley Isbell White of Mobile, Ala., Keith Isbell of Arkansas, Rhonda Smith and Kenny Isbell, both of Natchez.

Two of the most important people in Jean’s life were Rosamae Isaac and Monroe Elery, who were an integral part of the lives of all of Jean’s family.

Jean and Kenneth enjoyed traveling, exploring many exotic locales, including Italy, France, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Greece, the Caribbean, Mexico, Trinidad and Venezuela. She went hot-air ballooning in California, rafted the Colorado River, hiked the Grand Canyon and skied in Colorado. Her favorite travel spots were always the homes of her grandchildren and annual trips to the Gulf Coast with her daughter, Cindy, and her husband, Ed Hartman and their children, Edward and Christian, and Ashley and her husband, Mark White, and their children, Brandon and Isabel.

A longtime vegetarian, Jean led a very active life with vigorous exercise including golfing, tennis, swimming and much dancing. She learned to play bridge during her residence in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, when her husband worked for Lane Wells. She resumed the game later in life.

Pallbearers were Edward Hartman IV, Christian Hartman, Ed Hartman III, Richard Hudson, Jim Wallace, Dan Wallace and Mark White.

Donations may be made to Mrs. Alma O’Neal Ross, 103 Pecanwood Drive, Natchez, MS 39120, for her loving care of all her patients.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.