Etta Jean Jarrell

Etta Jean (Allen) Jarrell of Brevard NC, formerly Hoover AL, passed peacefully on May 7, 2025 at the age of 89. She is free and joyfully reunited with her Savior and the family and friends who have gone before her.

She was born on August 25, 1935 in Union Springs AL to John T. Allen and Nell (Kelly) Allen. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by all eight of her adult siblings: Fred, Sara, Mildred, Susan, John Lee, James, Martha and Kathleen.

She is survived by her son John Phillip Jarrell, grandson Nathan Lee Jarrell and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

“Etta” (as she was known as a child) grew up on a small family farm outside of Union Springs AL, the sixth of nine children. She graduated Valedictorian of Union Springs High School Class of 1953. After graduation Etta followed her sister Kathleen to Montgomery AL to work for South Central Bell.

While there she met and married a young officer in the US Air Force, Vernon Howard Jarrell. A few months later, pregnant with Phillip, “Jean” began the life of an Air Force Officer’s wife. She made wonderful homes for her small family in CA, NM, Puerto Rico, MO, AL, NY, SD…more than once in several of those places. She led Garden Clubs, Officer’s Wives Clubs, Sunday School classes, PTA’s among many other roles…best of all a mom who supported whatever new thing her son wanted to try. Through all these moves she was a catalyst for getting her big family together back in AL whenever possible.

On her own and back in Hoover AL for good since 1981, Jean managed apartment complexes for over 20 years winning several awards. She cherished her Green Valley Baptist Church community, especially attending Sunday School and volunteering in the nursery. Being near to aging siblings over the last 20 years she cared for several of them through illnesses and passing. “Etta” moved to College Walk Retirement Community in Brevard NC in 2022 to be near her son.

Her wishes were for cremation which will take place in Brevard. A memorial service will be scheduled for late summer in Birmingham. Details will be coming in July.

Moore-Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is honored to serve the family.