Jean Dale Stevens, the daughter of Charles Z. and Euell Genevieve (Coker) Freeman, was born May 22, 1925, in Faucett, Missouri. Jean attended Tarkio, Missouri, area country schools, graduating from Tarkio High School in 1943.

In 1945, Jean was united in marriage to Don Brought and they became parents of one daughter, Donna. Don passed away in 1968. In 1976, Jean was united in marriage to Milford Stevens. Milford passed away in 1981. Jean was employed as a clerk by Flesher’s Drug Store, Tarkio, now known as Rogers Pharmacy. She was honored as Employee of the Year by the City of Tarkio. In 1993, Jean began babysitting for Taylor McCartney and eventually Shelby McCartney. She became part of their family.

Jean was a member of the First Baptist Church, Tarkio. She taught Sunday School and was a G.A. Leader. She enjoyed playing games with the girls, sitting outside, and visiting with friends. Jean passed away Monday, December 26, 2022, at Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri, at the age of 97.

Besides her parents and husbands, Jean was preceded in death by siblings, Alice Fern Sparks, Charles Maynard Freeman, and Hylen Myers Freeman; son-in-law, Michael Morris; stepson, Maurice Wayne Stevens; and bonus granddaughter, Taylor McCartney. Survivors include daughter, Donna Morris, Savannah, Missouri; granddaughter, Melissa (Floyd) Ferguson, Savannah; step-granddaughter, Lori Jackson; great-grandchildren, Pearl and Preston Ferguson; step great-grandchildren, Gabe (Darci) DeShon, Mallori DeShon, and Matthew Stevens; step great-great-grandchildren, Max and Madilyn DeShon; bonus granddaughter, Shelby McCartney; and Taylor and Shelby’s parents, Marvin McCartney and Martha McCartney.

A funeral service was held Friday, December 30, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Tarkio. Interment was held at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Mr. Chris Stevens conducted the services. Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church, Tarkio, or Tarkio Nutrition Center. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Services were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.