Jean Arnold Barnes of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

December 15, 2020

Jean Arnold Barnes, 89, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee died peacefully in her home on December 15, 2020. She was from Sevierville, TN. After moving to the Nashville area, she worked as an Executive Assistant for the Gideons International, Lakeview Elementary in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee School for the Blind, and Donelson Christian Academy. She was also a member and an organist at Tulip Grove Baptist Church.

Throughout her life Jean was a musician. After studying music at Belmont College, she taught piano for 25 years. Later she sang in the community choir Choral Dynamics. At age 87, she began learning to play the harp and performed in her community Christmas program. Primarily she was active in the music ministry of her church, singing solos with her strong soprano operatic voice, singing in the choir, playing organ, and playing handbells.

A special gift she had was her memory of  students at the schools where she was employed, as well as their families. She also excelled at finding four-leaf clovers!

Her hobbies included gardening, collecting Precious Moments and angel figurines, and watching the Atlanta Braves and Vanderbilt basketball and baseball. She especially loved her family and attending sports games and performances in which they were involved.

Jean was known for her gentle, sweet nature and warm smile. She is survived by her children, Bev (Ken) Porter, Ted (Regina) Arnold, and Susan (Thom) Garrison; her grandchildren whom she called her “angels”, Brooke, Kenna, Adriel, and Layne Porter; Teddy, Alex, and Samantha Arnold; and James (Kathryn) Henry; and her great-grandchildren Alexis Reagan and Elizabeth and Livingston Henry. She would like to be remembered for her faithfulness to Jesus Christ and her commitment to Him through music and service.