Juanita Jeanette Bean

Juanita Jeanette Bean

“The Wind Beneath Our Wings”

Juanita “Jeanette” Boleyjack was born on December 21, 1929, to Edward and Rose Ella McCullough Boleyjack. She was called home to glory on August 15, 2024, in the home where she spent well over 60 years. The oldest of three girls, Jeanette and her two sisters, Augusta Dean and Virginia Hale were raised in a home of love, faith, and service, spending her early years on the Riverwood Estate in east Nashville, Tennessee, where her father and mother both worked. It was there that she lived a life of hard work, responsibility and, most of all, love of God. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Augusta.

Reared in a devoutly, Christian home, Jeanette joined First Baptist Church Rock City (now First Baptist Church South Inglewood) under the pastorate of Reverend William Pitts at 12 years old. She remained an active member for the remainder of her life. A founding member of the Matrons Auxiliary, Jeanette was also a member of the Historians, and Food Task Ministries. In 2023, she was honored as the longest tenured member of the church.

As her children grew, Jeanette began working outside the home. She initially worked at an industrial plant for a few months before becoming one of the first African Americans to be hired as a salesperson at the department store, Cain-Sloan in downtown Nashville. She later began working for the State of Tennessee in the Department of Revenue. She retired in 1994 after 29 years of service. Never one to remain idle, Jeanette returned to work two years later in the State Engrossing Clerks office in the State of Tennessee legislature where she remained for several years.

Jeanette was a proud graduate of Haynes High School in 1947. At Haynes, she developed deep friendships that lasted her entire lifetime. She attended Tennessee A&I State University for just one year, opting instead to begin focus on marrying and raising a family. In 1948, she united in marriage to Horace E. Bean. Their union was blessed with three children, Darlene Runette, Horace Edward, and Muriel Anita. She was the consummate homemaker and a gifted cook. Her special chess pie was one that church members often scrambled to get a prized slice.

Without a doubt, Jeanette’s greatest pleasure came from her family and friends. Her kitchen was the gathering place and served as the backdrop of so much joy. It was where she dispensed wisdom, shared stories of the “good old days” and doled out love to all in her midst. She was most happy when her table was full of food being shared by loved ones and friends.

In later years, Jeanette was renamed “Gum Gum” by her great-grandson, Derrick, and the name stuck for everyone. Her loving spirit, sage wisdom and supportive manner will be missed by all who knew her.

In addition to Darlene, Horace and Muriel, her memory will forever be cherished by her beloved sister, Virginia; daughter-in-law Thomasa’; grandchildren, Asilia (Dermont) Miles, Jesse Agnew, Kelly Agnew, Brandon (Victoria) Lawson, Ladorger (Michael) Kirkwood and Antoine Bean; great-children, Derrick Agnew, Jesse Agnew IV, Breahna Hughes, Jesseca Agnew, Victor Lawson, Brandy Lawson, Ariyanna Carter, Omarion Clemmons, Ajelie, Michael, Micah and Areal Kirkwood, ; great-great grandchildren, Madison, Assiah, Zy’ire Kirkwood; devoted nieces Sarah Rucker, Carol (Vernon) Ward; cousins, Mildred Wright, Yerbro (Pamela) Turner, Jerome (Donna), Starla Richberg and special friends, the Abernathy, Sweeney and Sims families and a host of relatives and friends.

Please keep the Bean family in your thoughts and prayers.