Jean Helen Turley Montgomery

April 17, 1936 - February 10, 2016

Mrs. Jean Helen Turley Montgomery was born on April 17, 1936 to the union of the late James H. and Helen America Carter Turley in Lexington, KY. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at Main Street Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. Reggie H. Johnson. During much of her Christian journey she worked diligently for the Lord at Great Liberty Baptist Church, giving faithfully of her time, talent, and resources while serving under the administrations of the late Rev. Walter L.Taylor and Rev. John C. Lee. She thoroughly enjoyed attending the annual Pastor’s Conference, district conventions, and other special services with a loving group of other spiritual women from the church. She later joined Shiloh Baptist Church where she attended faithfully until her illness prevented her from doing so. Sister Montgomery was a graduate of The Old Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY. class of 1954. She had worked at Good Samaritan Hospital on the Mental Health Unit for over 30 years until her retirement in 2002. On November 9, 1953, Jean was a beautiful bride and became the wife of Joseph Barnette Montgomery Sr. To this union were born four sons and three daughters. Jean was devoted to her family and was a loving support and companion to her husband, imparting strength and direction to her children. She was happy to share her life with many friends, neighbors, and co-workers as she offered a listening ear, being the voice of reason to comfort those who came to her burdened by the turmoils and perplexities of life. Her positive attitude and outlook on life made her well-liked and loved by all. Jean was kind and dependable, always greeting those she met with a genuine smile and pleasant words. For this family, Momma’s passing has great meaning in their hearts since her departure date coincides with the date that she gave birth to her first born son, Anthony Wayne; (deceased). Her children understand this to be their mother’s assurance that all things occur according to God’s time and not our own. Her life defied all medical timing. She departed this life peacefully on February 10, 2016, surrounded by her loving and devoted children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Barnett Montgomery Sr., her son, Anthony Wayne Montgomery, and a sister Mary Etta Clay. Jean leaves to cherish her memory six children: Talwanda Montgomery (Lexington, KY), Helen Darlene Montgomery (Gary, IN), Joseph (Patricia) Barnett Montgomery Jr. (Oakland, CA), Curtis Eugene Montgomery and Kimberly Ann Montgomery (Ashburn, VA), and Gregory Montgomery (Lexington, KY); eleven grandchildren: Gerald (Crystal) Newton, Carissa Mays, Latese Montgomery, Jemara Hope Graves, Kim Montgomery, Kerwin (Jalannia) Berry, Chase Montgomery, Joseph (Erica) Montgomery III, Janine (Mike) Reynolds, Kharis Montgomery, and Kynedi Birdsong; 18 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives including her step-mother, Mary H. Turley; 2 brothers, Rev. James (Rhonda) Turley and Chris (Gwen) Turley; 4 Sisters, Mary Elizabeth Hyde, Angel St. Clair, Sandra Ross, and Renae Turley. Surviving cousins of the Carter lineage include, Minister Christine Campbell, Ann Tilford, Elizabeth Jane Bryant, Earl Kenny Chenault, Bee Shavers and Charlene Washington. Other survivors include many other family and friends including sister/friends Norma Steward and Mary Ann Williams.