Jean Sanders Kirkpatrick was born February 2, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee, where she grew up. She was fortunate to attend Hutchison School from kindergarten through high school, and she received many scholastic and athletic awards, including top grades for 4 years in high school.
She attended Vanderbilt University where she was a proud member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and president of her pledge class. She then lived in Nashville and was a member of the Nashville and Memphis Junior Leagues, the Nashville Dental Auxiliary, and the board of Oak Hill School. She joined the Sow ‘n Grow Club in 1962 and was a past president and member for 62 years.
She married Bob Kirkpatrick in 1973 and moved to Russellville where she soon became involved in community and social activities. She was a director of Southern Deposit Bank and Area Bancshares, an elder at First Presbyterian Church, a board member of the Russellville Country Club, a member of Friends of the Logan County Library, and a member and past President of the Logan County Hospital Auxiliary. Her proudest achievement was helping to bring 911 to Logan County when she was a chair of that committee for the Hospital Auxiliary. She was a talented photographer and had exhibits at Nashville’s Cheekwood and Memphis Botanical Gardens. She was a founding member of First Friday and IVQ.
She and Bob were avid tennis players and hikers. They explored Clifty Cliff Country and took many family members and friends there. They also hiked in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Colorado.
They loved to travel and visited all 50 states, many National and State Parks, and every continent except Antarctica. Their favorite of all their trips were two African safaris. Their shared love of scuba diving took them to many world class dive sites in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. She logged more than 1400 dives and countless snorkels, and became an expert at fish identification, returning 500 + surveys to Reel Environment Educational Foundation. Their favorite vacation spot was Grand Cayman Island, which they visited more than 40 times with their Harbour Heights “family”. They returned many times to the Destin, Florida area, and they enjoyed their annual family trips.
She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Jean and William S. Roberts, Jr.; her father and stepmother, Edward Harvey Sanders and Mimi Sanders Smith; her son, Scott Roberts Oliver; 2 sisters, Normie Geske and Mariann Harris; 3 brothers, Harvey Sanders, Clarke Sanders and Reid Sanders; and a granddaughter, Arienne Block.
She leaves her beloved husband of 51 years, Bob Kirkpatrick; her sons, Dr. Richard W. Oliver, Jr. and Truitt, and Louis Kirkpatrick and Cynthia; her daughters, Noel Smith and Al and Henri Block and Jonathan; her grandchildren, Kelsey Oliver, Will Oliver and Laura, Jack Block and Jennie, Sarah Block McKenna and Matt, Jack Kirkpatrick, Rob Kirkpatrick, Meg Kirkpatrick, Emmy Smith Clements and Clyde, Milbry Smith; 5 great grandchildren; a sister, Louise Tayloe; a brother, William Roberts and Theresa; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life for Jean Sanders Kirkpatrick will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Lon Lorton and Pastor Josh Hill officiating. Visitation at the church on Thursday will be held from 11:00 am until the time of the service at 1:00 pm.
Summers and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Hutchison School, 1740 Ridgeway Road, Memphis, TN 38119 or Concerned Citizens of Logan County, 428 East 5th Street, Russellville, KY 42276.
Honorary Pallbearers: Jack Block, William Oliver, Jack Kirkpatrick, Rob Kirkpatrick, Mike Riley, and Randy Fuqua
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