Jean Barclay gained her angel wings surrounded by her family on November 14, 2024. She was born the second child of Leroy and Virgie Ann Austin on March 6, 1939, in Yellville, Arkansas. She joined her older sister Wilma Lee. She was later joined by her sister Coleen and little brother Vernon.
Jean’s family were sharecroppers and followed the fruit from Arkansas to Washington. They eventually settled in the Yakima Valley. Jean attended grade school through the eighth grade at Cowiche, Washington. Later in life she got her GED. After grade school she worked in the fields hoeing beets around the Quincy, Washington area where she met and married Wade Sparks. Her first daughter, Judy Kay, was born to this union. They were later divorced. Jean began working in the potato fields where she met and married Sandy (A.W.) Barclay. Soon Wanda Jean, Anita Marie, and Sandra Lee came along. Jean stayed home and raised the girls until they were old enough to look after themselves, then she began working in hospitals and nursing homes in Columbia Basin. They family eventually settled in the Warden, Washington area where they lived until March of 1979. Jean’s father-in-law, Alex Barclay, was injured in a tractor accident during that bad winter and the family moved to Jordan, Montana, so Sandy could help on the ranch. Sandy and Jean divorced shortly after the move to Montana, and she returned to Washington where her family lived. She lived in Oklahoma for a time with her oldest sister, Wilma and her husband Jeff before returning to Montana to be near her daughters. Jean was devoted to her family and traveled back and forth to Washington for a time to help with the care of her parents. She spent most of her adult life working in hospitals and nursing homes until her back would not let her. She eventually retired and lived in Miles City. In 2012, she decided to sell her home and move around the corner into Homestead Assisted Living where she resided until her health put her in the hospital where she peacefully passed.
Jean loved to be around people. She volunteered for the Senior Companion Program, RSVP, and worked for Green Thumb. She was a member of the Eagles Club and active in the Women’s Auxiliary. She attended Valley Drive Baptist Church until her health declined. She always enjoyed Pete and Helen Lindley’s visits to Homestead.
Jean is survived by daughters Judy (R.C.) Barr, Anita Pluhar, and Sandra Barclay; grandchildren Sarah (Jason) Goeken, Tiffany (Shane) Ripley, Scott Fogle, Tonya (Dustin) Davis, Patrick Littleton, Lacy Pluhar, Christina Pluhar; great-grandchildren Alexis, Cheyenne, and Silverlyn Goeken, Julia and Laura Ripley, Devon and Matthew Davis, Chloe Pluhar and Araya Hofer, Ry Leigh Seaba and Ryder Nelson.
Jean was preceded in death by her daughter Wanda Jean Fogle; her parents Virgie Ann and Leroy Austin, sisters Wilma Lee Wilson and Coleen Sinn; and her brother Vernon Leroy Austin.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, with family receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of Custer County Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Jean’s name to Miles City RSVP, 11 S. 7th St. Suite 110, Miles City, MT 59301, the Alzheimer Association of Montana, 3010 11th Avenue, Billings, MT 59101, or Miles City Soup Kitchen, 24 N. 11th St., Miles City, MT 59301.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 19, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 20, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 19, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 20, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Garth Sleight says
Sandra, I’m so sorry to see this. May you be comforted by your memories as you celebrate your mother’s life.
Linda Estes says
To Jean’s family. Sorry for your loss. Prayers for healing thoughts.
Mark says
Thinking of you during this time. Glad God has taken her home and free of her troubles. Praying for His comfort with family.🙏😇
Connie Blonigen says
Sandra, Anita and family..I was sorry to hear of Jean’s passing. May your many happy memories of time spent with her bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Ernie and Sandy Fogle says
We were sorry to hear about Jean passing. May all the happy, shared memories be forever cherished…Her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of her family and loved ones.
Sending our thoughts and prayers!
Jay and Deb Terrett says
Sandra and the Barclay family
We send warm thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace. The lose of our mother is a hard change! Our memories and gratitude hold us tight during this time! God Bless your family!
Danette & David Olguin says
Anita, Sandra and family I am so sorry to hear about your sweet mother’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Please reach out to us if there is anything you need.
Lynn Anderson says
Sandra,
My sincere condolences to you and your family with the passing of your dear mother, Jean. Hold on to the precious memories and the promise that our time apart from our family and loved ones is only temporary. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Kara Clark Lambert says
Sandra and family. I’m sorry for your loss. My thought and prayers are with you all.
LeeAnn Mercer says
Sandra and Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May you find comfort in your love and memories of your Mom! May God bless you all.
Jeff Faycosh says
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers of comfort.