Jean Horn Ross

Jean Horn Ross, 98, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024.  Visitation will be Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 9:30 am – 11 am at Pelahatchie Baptist Church.  Services will begin at 11 am with burial to follow in the Pelahatchie Cemetery.  Ott and Lee Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Born July 17,1925, in Magee, Mississippi, Jean was the daughter of Lacy Gray and Bertha Lillian Caughman Horn.    She was a graduate of Magee High School, Mississippi College, and the University of North Carolina.  While at Mississippi College, she served as a Senior class officer and was part of the first co-educational class.  At the University of North Carolina she completed the Inaugural Master’s Program for Public Health.  Upon graduation she worked with the Mississippi State Department of Health providing health educational programs throughout the Mississippi Delta.  Jean was a trailblazer in her educational and career pursuits.

On November 16, 1947, Jean married Knox W. Ross, a bank cashier, from Pelahatchie, Mississippi.   They settled in Pelahatchie, and as their family grew, Jean decided to start her own business opening Knox’s Department Store which she operated for 32 years until her retirement.

Jean always had a heart for people and her community.  She remained active in her church as a longtime Sunday School teacher and created a knitting ministry referred to as the “Nifty Knitters” which met in her home.   Jean was the oldest living member of Pelahatchie Baptist Church. Both Jean’s positive outlook on life and her faith in God are her greatest legacies to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Jean is survived by her four children:  Barbara Phillips (Mac), Deborah Stone (Van), Rebecca Rodgers and Knox Ross, Jr. (Jamie).    She will be greatly missed by her 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Knox W. Ross, her parents, brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following or a charity of your choice:

Pelahatchie Baptist Church

300 Church Street

Pelahatchie, Mississippi 39145