Jean Hartzell Meacham

Click here to view Video Memorial TributeClick Here to view Webcast of Funeral ServiceJean Hartzell Meacham, age 86, wife of Dr. Marshall Page (M.P.) Meacham, passed away Sunday afternoon, February 27, 2011 at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville, MS. Funeral services will be 4:00 P.M. Monday, February 28, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville, MS where she was a member. Visitation will begin one hour prior to services at 3:00 P.M. Interment will follow in Magnolia Cemetery here in Batesville, MS. Mrs. Meacham was born March 24, 1924 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Mary Louise Johnson and Gordon Clark Hartzell. She graduated from Central High School in Memphis, TN and attended Southwestern College (Rhodes). Post WWII, the Meacham family moved from Tennessee to Batesville, MS where Dr. M.P. Meacham opened a dental office. In the summer of 1950, Jean contracted polio and stayed in Isolation Hospital in Memphis for many months. Marking medical history during the historic polio outbreak, on September 29, 1950, Marsha was born naturally and healthy in a classroom at the University of Tennessee Medical School. She was very active in the community, being a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, in which she served in numerous positions on various committees, and a member of the Adult Bible Class, along with the United Methodist Women, and also attended Explorers Bible Study for 20 years. Mrs. Meacham was also a life member of Kappa Delta Sorority, charter, active and life member of the Batesville Garden Club, charter member of the Yellow Jackets - Hospital Auxillary. Including her memberships, she was also a volunteer/sponsor for the Cub Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Batesville PTA, Batesville Sub-Deb Cotillion, and Friends of the Library. While not attending membership meetings and volunteering, she thoroughly enjoyed reading, playing bridge and games, working puzzles, needlework, cooking and arranging flowers. Mrs. Meacham also enjoyed hosting meals/parties for her family, friends, bridge clubs, and XYZ. For many decades, she met with her girls friends for Friday 'lunch bunch' and monthly supper club with 'Doc' and four other couples for over 50 years. Grounded by her faith, courage, and grace-being physically handicapped as a young adult did not prevent her from living an active life with her family and friends nor serving others. She leaves behind to cherish her loving memory is her husband of 68 years, Dr. Marshall Page Meacham, two daughters, Carolyn M. Ferrell (Hal) of Batesville, MS, Marsha M. Petry (Jeff) of Indianapolis, IN; son Robert H. Meacham (Carolyn) of Senatobia, MS; six grandchildren, David Meacham, Joann M. Davis, Jeana F. Burchfield, Natalie F. Wright, Jana G. Buckler, Jared Petry and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her first cousins, Sara Hartzell Darby and William Hartzell Jackson. Other than her parents, she was only preceded in death by her only sister, Mary Louise Hartzell Wesley.