Jean Walcott age 79 , who on her 13 th birthday fell victim to polio during another epidemic that swept our nation, died peacefully Friday October 16, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri . Cause of death was pneumonia due to her compromised anatomy from p ost- p olio s yndrome.

Nancy Jean Smith was born October 4, 1941 in South Bend, Indiana to Kenneth and Dorothy (Tice) Smith of Pipestone Township Cass County, Michigan .

She i s proceeded in death by her father Kenneth Smith and in-laws Noble and Leona Walcott. Jean's faith in the Lord was strong and she found comfort in knowing she would be in her daddy's arms once again.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Barry Walcott ; daughter Alissa Strong (husband Glyn) ; grandson Taylor Strong (wife Krista) ; granddaughters Britney and Kylie Strong ; great granddaughter Peyton Strong ; mother Dorothy Smith ; sister Lynn Lozada (husband Juan) ; brothers Dennis (Lee) and Richard Smith (wife Trish) ; sister in-law Sharon Radde and many nieces and nephews.

Jean never let her disability be a handicap. She graduated E a u Claire HS class of 1959 , a chieved her BA at William J . Bryan College in 1963 and b egan studies at Western Michigan University to pursuit a graduate degree. She was a teacher and worked in various administrative positions but favored being a mother and wife . Jean was active in the churches she attended throughout her life in Michigan, Tennessee, Texas and Missouri.

She loved to read and has an extensive book collection. Other than her family, Jean's greatest passion was her cross stitch " w ithout it I would go insane" she once stated. Jean also quilted and loved to sew , crochet and knit

A Memorial Service, together with her husband Barry (passed 3/4/21) and mother Dorothy (passed 1/15/21), will be held 11:00 am Saturday June 26, 2021, at Calvary Bible Church (Academy) in Dowagiac, Michigan.