Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

As I sit and think about my friend, Alma Jean, it is hard to express what a wonderful lady she was. Alma Jean was one of the most caring, loving, patriotic people you would have ever met.

She loved all people. It didn’t matter who you were or what situation you found yourself in, Alma Jean was always willing to help.

We became friends when she became an educational assistant at Lewis County Elementary School. Alma Jean went out of her way to do the best job she could do, but what impressed me most was the rapport she had with the children. She loved them and they loved her. At Christmas time she would make sure every child in second grade had a handmade treasure from her for them to take home. Every child she worked with was special and she let them know that.

In the early days of celebrating Veterans Day at the school, Alma Jean worked diligently decorating and displaying pictures, making sure everything was just right to honor our veterans. When the time for retirement drew near it was again Alma Jean who felt led to create a permanent place for the veteran’s pictures and memorabilia to be housed. A placed where people had access to them more than one time a year. With this in mind, she and I began a quest to permanently house and display everything we had collected. The end product of her wonderful idea is what we now call the Lewis County Veterans Memorial Hall.

Months of tireless work was spent collecting, sorting, dating, and framing pictures. We painted, cleaned, and decorated. And a few times stood on the street corner collecting money for the Hall. There were times when she enlisted her sweet daughters and son in law, Glen to join in. All to honor our local veterans. There was no job too big or too small. It was a passion of love.

The night before we were to open the Hall to the public; she and I walked down the hall admiring the handsome faces of the young soldiers in the displays. We had become so familiar with their faces and stories that it was almost like old friends looking back at us. She was so proud, as was I, but the pictures that meant the most to Alma Jean were of her beloved husband, Jackie. My Jackie as she would say. She was so proud of his service in the Navy and was moved every time she walked past his display.

Alma Jean was a true Patriot in every since of the word. She loved America and every soldier who ever served, but more then that she loved her Jesus, her family, and the many friends she met along her life’s journey. I am proud to call her my friend. Alma Jean, you will be truly missed.

Judy Runions

Veterans Hall Committee

931-306-8558