Jeanne Avonne Metcalf's Obituary
Jeanne Avonne Metcalf, my wonderful and loving Mother, gently passed from this life to her eternal life on January 2, 2021 at her home in Dover, Delaware at the age of 98. I had the honor of being with Mom at her passing when she simply looked up at the ceiling, smiled (likely seeing the face of God and my Dad in his Dallas Cowboys baseball cap) and passed without pain or suffering. Mom was born on September 13, 1922 in the small town of Dewey, Oklahoma to Charles W. Evans and Icy Thompson Evans in a home made even more special by her sisters, Betty Evans (Land) and Martha Evans (Johnson). Living through the challenges of the great depression, this special family took great pride in placing a premium on love and family values, although falling short from time to time on physical resources like many families during this difficult time. In 1947, she met and married the love of her life, Charles (Budd) Metcalf to whom she was married for 56 wonderful years. In 1954, I entered the picture as their only child and our little family of three enjoyed each other, adventures made possible by my Dad’s Air Force service in multiple locations including three years in France and the many friends with which we were blessed. In 1963, we were transferred to Dover, Delaware which became our home after Dad’s retirement from the Air Force in 1971.Mom was entirely dedicated to her role as a wife and mother and excelled in both roles (pardon, but I am surely biased). She also was “mom” to a number of young airman at the Dover Air Force Base Chapel community, often inviting a number of them to our home for Sunday dinner after church services. Mom was also a dedicated friend to many in the Dover area including long-time friends from the military community like the Milbraths, Valeskis, Braxtons, and Coyles to name a few. Mom was preceded in death by her loving husband, Budd Metcalf; her mother and father, Charlie and Icy Evans; her sisters and brother in laws, Betty and Joe Land and Martha and JC Johnson and sisters in law, Margaret Metcalf, Ruth Metcalf, Dorothea Lott and Ardene (Dan) Beltz. She is survived by me (her loving daughter, Kathy Metcalf) and nieces and nephews Joe (Judith) Land, John (Alycia) Johnson, Carolyn Lowe, Gerald (Sharon) Beltz, Janice (George) Newton, Eileen (Alva Ray) Marley and many friends who loved her dearly including the Tim Milbrath and Cindy Stigall.During her last years, Mom prided herself in being able to live independently at home where she said she belonged. This was made possible by the great caregiver services provided by Home Instead and our collective thanks and appreciation go out to Carol and Trudy and the Home Instead staff for all the help and caring support they provided her over the past six years. She couldn’t have done it without you!Mom’s viewing and a short service will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 11 am at the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover, Delaware followed by interment at Odd Fellows Cemetery, 35 Rising Sun Road, Camden-Wyoming, Delaware. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome in her memory to the Hope Medical and Dental Clinic, Inc., 1125 Forrest Ave., Suite 202, Dover, DE 19904. This organization provides much needed medical and dental care to struggling families that do not quality for fully subsidized Medicaid coverage but do not make enough to afford private medical insurance. Mom truly believed that hard working adults and their children should always have access to medical and dental care and never have to go through the tough decisions she and her parents were forced to make during the Great Depression.Fly high, my beautiful and dearly loved Mother! I will miss you until we meet again!In consideration of protecting the family and friends health, public health guidelines enacted for the prevention of the spread of covid-19 virus, limitations on gatherings, physical distancing, use of hand sanitation and masks are in place. Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com
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