Jeanne Anthony Dyer, 89, unexpectedly passed away January 19, 2016.  She was born on August 16, 1926 in Morganton, NC, the youngest of Maud Patton and Thomas W. Anthony’s six children.  At age 18, she moved to Nashville, TN, to attend George Peabody College, where she graduated in 1947 and married journalist Bill Dyer.  She taught first grade in Nashville, and for a year in Smithville where they settled in 1948.  She worked alongside her husband, former editor and publisher, to operate the Smithville Review between the years 1948 and 1965.

Always committed to service, she initiated an early childhood education program for the DeKalb County school system and served as Chair of the Election Commission in the 1970s. For several years, she was a member, and Chair, of the local Democratic Executive Committee.  She earned a MSW from UT College of Social Work in 1980 and practiced as a licensed clinical social worker for 10 years with middle Tennessee nursing homes and DeKalb General Hospital.  At DeKalb General, she was the first Director of Social Work Services and initiated the Employee Assistance Program.  In 2001, she returned to her hometown, Morganton, NC, and renewed membership in her childhood church, First Baptist Church.  During the 2000s, she edited “Mountain Views”, a monthly newsletter depicting life at Grace Ridge Retirement Community where she resided.

Jeanne had a passion for the mountains, and loved woods-and-wildflower walks.  She read the city newspaper cover-to-cover every day and was always prepared to discuss current events.  She was a wonderful cook, avid gardener and family historian.  Her hobbies included watercolor painting; quilting; reading; birding; and collecting antique textiles and simple handcrafted furniture.

She is survived by one daughter, Delce Dyer, and son-in-law, Murray Lee of Asheville, NC.  She was preceded in death by her son, William Thomas “Tom” Dyer; husband, William Fuson “Bill” Dyer; her parents; a brother; four older sisters, including Mary Lyon Anthony, formerly of Smithville; and husband, John F. “Jack” Juraschek whom she married in 2006.

The family received friends at a memorial gathering at Grace Ridge on January 24, 2016.  Interment of her remains and graveside service will be in the spring at the Nashville National Cemetery alongside Tom and Bill.

Memorial contributions can be sent to Justin Potter Library, Smithville, TN, for the archives collection.

Condolences can be sent to the family through Sossoman Funeral Home by visiting www.sossomanfh.com