Jean Sawyers Percer was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Lucius and Ida Sawyers. She attended Woodlawn High School and graduated in 1945. It was also in Birmingham where she met her husband, Tom Percer and attended business school. Jean and Tom went on to have three children, and in 1964 they moved their family to Huntsville, Alabama where they joined Trinity United Methodist Church and would live for the rest of their lives.
She continued her life as a homemaker, using her sewing and cooking skills to master the making of prom dresses and pound cakes. Jean and Tom loved entertaining their friends, traveling, and playing golf. They were very active in their church and their Sunday School class, The Questors.
In 1974, Jean began painting and discovered a love for art and a talent she didn’t know she had. For many years, she took painting classes and participated in local art shows. Her paintings still adorn the walls of all of her children and grandchildren – a beautiful reminder of the love and care that she put into everything she did.
After her husband’s death in 1993, she spent her time working for a fragrance company, being with her friends and family, and of course doting on her grandchildren.
In 2001, she began volunteering at Crestwood Medical Center and did so until her health caused her to stop.
She spent her last years living in the Country Cottage assisted living where she continued making more friends, getting her hair done every week, and having lunches with her “catfish buddy,” Trudi Nease. Her children provided her loving and unfaltering care.
Her family is eternally thankful for her 93 years of life and will carry her in their hearts forever. They will cook her recipes, tell her stories, sing her songs, pray her prayers, and always love their precious Mom, Mama, and Mammaw.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, her husband, and so many dear friends, with whom the heavenly reunions bring her family comfort.
She is survived by her children, Steve Percer (Laura), Laura Downing (Ken), and Beth Riley; her six grandchildren and their spouses, and six great-grandchildren, Amy Cook, her husband Tim, and their children, Kaitlyn and Samuel; Melanie Orr; Thomas Percer, his wife Megan, and their children, Steven and Brooke; Shanna Cooper, her husband Sean, and their children, Charlotte and Henry; Dylan Riley and his wife, Amanda; and Michael Riley.
Her family will celebrate her life in a private graveside service at Maple Hill Cemetery where she will be buried with her husband.
