Jean Ewing Love

Jean Morgan Ewing Love died January 23, 2016. She was born April 6, 1918, at the old St. Thomas Hospital on Hayes Street. On this day the first American troops sailed from New York to enter World War 1. She was the daughter of Jean Morgan and Samuel Cecil Ewing and she attended Peabody Demonstration School, Ward Belmont Preparatory School and Vanderbilt University. Mrs. Love was a fourth generation graduate of Vanderbilt University in 1940. Her memories of almost a century were more important to her than her accomplishments. She had a safe childhood playing on the sidewalks and watching Vanderbilt football at Curry Field on 21st Avenue. Her Ward Belmont experience was filled with the cultural and social graces and sparked her interest in history, politics and current events. Vanderbilt gave her a taste of a bigger world. She was a part of a social and civic life in Nashville including the SAP Club, The Girls Cotillion, The Junior League, The Red Cross and also the First Presbyterian Church on Church Street. The depression hit in October 1929. She worked at the Third National Bank and then at Joy Floral Company on 6th Avenue and was the first Wedding Planner in Nashville. This opened another world to Jean. Here she enjoyed an artistic training and a lifelong interest in people. She married James Randle Love in October 1941. The world changed again as the newspapers boys screamed "Extra, Extra!!" on December 7, 1941, on the streets of Nashville. Mr. Love served in the Navy on the staff of Admiral Frederick Sherman who was Commander of the South Pacific, "SOPAC", on the Aircraft Carrier Essex with service in the Western Pacific and South China Seas. Mr. Love returned to Nashville to a family business at "St. Bernard Coal Company". TVA came to the south with electric heat and Mr. Love then entered the coal mining business in east Tennessee. He died at Seven Springs Farm in 1995. In 1969 Mr. and Mrs. Love moved to Columbia, Tennessee, to Seven Springs Farm that had been in her family for a number of years, the house was built in 1825 and is on the National Historic Register. The restoration movement in Williamsburg had sparked the interest in old houses and her home was on the tour several times. The second James K. Polk dinner dance was held there. After moving to Columbia she attended classes at O'More College of Design in Franklin. Here again her interest in gardening and flower arranging led to membership in the Columbia Garden Club, The Volunteer Garden Club and the Garden Club of Nashville. She was a member of the James K. Polk Memorial Association where she served for a number of years on the board and the redecoration committees of the Polk Home and for the Sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia where she was a member. Her interest in people, politics, history and stock market greatly enhanced her life. She is survived by the several cousins. She thanks a dedicated group of care givers for their friendship and devotion. A memorial service will be conducted at The First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, Tennessee on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Joe Evans officiating. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. to service time at the church. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.