Jean Himmel Lindsey

Funeral services for Jean Himmel Lindsey, of Tyler, were held Saturday, April 26th at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Jasper with graveside services held at Rose Lawn Memorial Park in Tyler. Officiating will be Fr. Ron Foshage, and Deacon David Luther of St Michael's Catholic Church of Jasper and Deacon Bill Necessary, of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler.

Jean passed away Thursday, April 24th at Hospice of East Texas Home Place in Tyler. A native of Port Arthur, she was a longtime resident of Jasper and was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. Jean was the wife of former long-time Mayor of Jasper, Frank Lindsey, Jr.

Jean was valedictorian of Bishop Byrne High School, and a graduate of Lamar University and Stephen F. Austin State University. She was a member of Delta Zeta sorority, also serving as chapter president.

Jean was a long-time educator with a career spanning over 40 years, teaching in several different school districts throughout East Texas. She taught students from elementary to high school, gifted and talented, English as a second language and remedial reading. One of her proudest accomplishments in education was the honor of being selected to be the primary presenter at the Gifted & Talented International Conference at the University of Beijing, China. Jean traveled with other educators from across the world to represent the United States with the People-to-People program. Jean was so honored by this invitation that she chose to travel at her own expense and took personal time away from her classes to make the trip.

While Jean always loved teaching children, art was her passion. She was an extraordinarily accomplished and talented artist, creating an extensive body of work. She was proficient in many different media including oils, watercolors, and pastels, painting primarily landscapes, still lifes, and portraits.

In later years, she devoted herself primarily to porcelain painting, creating literally hundreds of works. She was a founding member of the East Texas Art League and a member of the Golden Triangle Porcelain Club.

Jean was an accomplished orchid and rose grower, with a vast array of flowers filling her greenhouse and the grounds of her home. She was a member of several orchid and rose societies and served as President of both LaFleur and Bluebonnet Garden Clubs in Jasper.

A lifelong Catholic, Jean remained active in St. Michael's Catholic Church in Jasper, actively serving in many roles including religious education, Parish Council, Building Committee, and serving as church organist for over 45 years.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Frank Lindsey Jr. of Tyler; three children; sons Bill Lindsey and wife Tricia of Houston; Brad Lindsey and wife Ashley of Tyler; daughter Brenda Ayer and husband Max of Athens; three grandchildren, Jeremy Ayer of Tyler, Shalynn Lindsey of Tyler, and Kristina Lindsey of Houston; and "Sisters", Barbara Davis of Port Neches; and Marilyn Cutcliff, of Marietta, Georgia.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701. Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Jasper.