Wanda "Jean" Steelmon

Wanda Jean Steelmon, 79, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 6. Jean was born and raised in East Tennessee and worked hard all her life as a business owner, homemaker, mother, and after most people would have retired, a dedicated Walmart employee. She worked the night 3rd shift at a Chattanooga Walmart in her late 60s through her mid 70's for ten years, took great pride in her work, and was commended for her efforts. Oh, the stories she could tell! She enjoyed her coworkers and loved living independently in her own house. Jean grew up in the foothills of the Smokies where she married and raised her children, Rexann and Randy. She was the ultimate caregiver for friends and family and never met an animal she didn’t want to love and care for. She was an avid softball player, playing in leagues, tournaments, and even the Senior Olympics in Louisiana! She had moved to Chattanooga to be closer to Rexann and son-in-law, Buddy Bumpus, and then moved back to Dandridge with Rexann and Buddy to be close to Randy. There she shared their home for the last years of her life. Her passing was sudden and she is already so deeply missed! She was a dedicated worker, a quiet person, a dog and cat lover, and a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved reading, working puzzles, Sudoku, and painting on her iPad. She especially liked caring for, playing with, and walking her many dogs. Her passing leaves a tremendous void in her loved ones' lives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and Monroe Kuykendall; sisters, Linda Henry and Cathy Denton, and brother, Robert Kuykendall, and survived by her siblings, Wayland (Ida) KuyKendall, John Kuykendall, Montie White, Mick (Carolyn) Kuykendall, George (Barbara) Kuykendall, Doug (Patricia) Kuykendall; several nieces and nephews; and daughter, Rexann Bumpus (Buddy) and son, Randy Steelmon. In memory of Jean, her family would suggest a donation to C.A.R.E. - Companion Animal Rescue and Education in Jefferson County. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm on Monday, June 10th at Fielden Funeral Home in New Market. Family and friends will gather at 10:45 am on Tuesday, June 11th at Indian Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Blaine for an 11:00 am graveside with Dr. Greg Lindsay officiating.

Wanda "Jean" Steelmon

October 8, 1944 - June 6, 2024