Eleanor Jean Jester Saggus of Tucker departed this earthly life and was ushered into the portals of heaven at about 1740 hrs on Saturday, May 22nd, 2010. She had suffered extensively in recent years with complications arising from pneumonia, osteoporosis, and thyroid cancer. At 86, she was the last survivor among her siblings of three brothers and one sister, all natives of the Memphis, TN area. A splendid example of Christian motherhood, Jean leaves behind, in North Georgia, a son, a daughter, a son-in-law, and three precious grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous cousins and nieces and nephews from the Memphis, Charlotte, Portland, and Seattle areas. Jean is an alumna of Messick High School in Memphis and graduated with highest honors from the University of Tennessee in English with a minor in Vocal Performance. Mrs. Saggus began her working career as a hostess on the Southern Railway’s famed “Tennessean” passenger train between Memphis and Washington, DC. Her dad, Eddie Jester, was a telegraph operator for the Southern on the line coming east out of Memphis. After learning she had been successful by audition against great odds, she interrupted her colorful railroad career to perform and travel for a season with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Following this coveted experience, Jean returned to the Southern in 1950 as an executive secretary in the Cincinnati offices which was the Lord’s positioning for her to meet another dedicated railroad man, who was also in Cincinnati at the time for the Southern: her husband of 51 years, Lawrence Saggus. Soon after marriage on May 24, 1952, Jean and Lawrence were transferred to Atlanta by the Southern. Once children came along, Jean no longer worked but sacrificially dedicated herself to being one of the finest Christian homemakers that has ever existed. Only after her children were in high school did Mrs. Saggus return to work. This led to many years successful retail jewelry sales for Davison’s which later became Macy’s and then at Belk’s from which she retired in 1994. Jean’s most treasured avocation was teaching children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She did this for 12 years at Southside Baptist in Savannah, GA, where her husband ran the agency for the Illinois Central Railroad, and was later, after transfer back to the Atlanta area, Children’s Division Director and Fourth Grade Teacher at Tucker First Baptist. Also at Tucker First, Jean assisted Fran Randolph in pioneering the “Keen Age” Sunday School for mentally challenged children. After her husband’s retirement as Regional Sales Manager for Florida East Coast Railway, they transferred to Briarlake Baptist where, to the time of her death she was a member of the Chapel Bible Class, which prides itself to this day on conservative theology and expository scriptural teaching to everyone from college age on up. What a marvelous legacy Mrs. Saggus leaves for subsequent generations and her angelic smile and sweet spirit will be missed by all who knew her. “It will be a great home coming day, the first 10,000 years!!” Memorial services will be held for Jean Saggus in the Main Sanctuary of Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur, GA on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 1400 hours with music to begin at 1330. The Reverend Larry Sullivan will be officiating. Interment to follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens. She will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial contributions to either The American Cancer Society for research or to the March to Missions Fund of Briarlake Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 1830 to 2030 hours Monday at A. S. Turner & Sons.
