Jean (Cofield) Smith

Jean C Smith, age 89, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, October 30, 2019, surrounded by family.

A longtime resident of Chattanooga, she, from a young age began singing solos in church and school. Because of her talents and inner beauty, she was named Miss Central in 1948.

Jean is best known for her ministry in music and has blessed many with her beautiful soprano voice.  She was a longtime soloist for Highland Park Baptist and later, Brainerd Baptist church, and sang on radio broadcasts for 40+ years.  Jean was a beloved member of the Friendship Class at Brainerd where she led the singing until recently.

As a gracious hostess, she loved to entertain family, friends, and hundreds of young teenagers when she and Elgin led the Youth Department at Highland Park.  She used her talents to honor her Lord Jesus whom she served faithfully all her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Elgin Smith; her parents, Henry Garland Cofield and Amy Jacobs Cofield, and infant grandson, Elgin Douglas Jensen.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Smith Jensen (Greg Pierce);   grandchildren, Joy (Chad) Eslinger, Amy (Brian) Thompson, and Billy (Christi) Jensen; 11 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Garland Cofield, all of Chattanooga.  Also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and other extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Brainerd Baptist Church on Monday, November 4th at 11:00 A.M. with her nephew, Rev. Jim Cofield officiating.  Burial will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Grandson Billy Jensen, and grandsons-in-law, Chad Eslinger and Brian Thompson, and great grandsons, Reed, Seth and Eli Eslinger, Caleb Jensen and Wesley Thompson will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the Friendship Class of Brainerd Baptist Church.

Special thanks to the caring staff at The Bridge at Ooltewah and Amedisys Hospice for their loving care.

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences to the family and to view Jean’s memorial tribute.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 201 Signal Mountain, TN 37377.

The family will receive friends Sunday, November 3rd from 2-5 pm at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road and Monday one hour before the service at Brainerd Baptist Church.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.