Jean Doane

Helen Jean Doane, 83, of Kingsport, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at Holston Manor after a lengthy illness.

Jean was born on March 17, 1926. She was the daughter of the late Salmon and Dennie Mae Leonard and was a lifelong native of Sullivan County. She was a past employee of Brownell Insurance Company and the Mead Corporation. Mrs. Doane was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church. She had a love for the beach and the ocean and enjoyed gardening, golfing, swimming, and being outdoors.

Mrs. Doane was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Balfour Nathaniel Doane; her parents; a sister, Nell Gladys Fezzie; and her brother, Salmon Leonard, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Cahow of Johnson City; her son, Tim Doane of Kingsport; her only grandchild, Julie Songer and husband Jim of Johnson City; one brother-in-law, Frank Fezzie of Myrtle Beach, SC; a sister-in-law, Sue Greene of Kingsport; several nieces and nephews; and a longtime friend, Iris King Eunice of Columbia, SC. A special thanks to Bobbie Mays and Jackie Dolen for their special help as well as to the staff of Holston Manor for their kindness during her stay there.

The family will receive friends at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Larry Dolen, Jim Songer, Rusty Mays, Alan Leonard, Chris Gibson, and Paul Fezzie. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Fezzie, Claude Mays, and Jim Cahow. The family requests that those attending meet at the gravesite.

Memorial contributions can be made to the library fund of the First Baptist Church; 200 W. Church Circle; Kingsport, TN 37660.