Anna Jean Whitehead (Jean), age 87, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born on October 18, 1937, in Holland, Michigan, to the late James and Reka Tyink. She moved to Jacksonville after graduating from Tennessee Temple University and began working as the church secretary at Trinity Baptist Church. It was there that she met and married her sweetheart, Bud Whitehead, with whom she shared 54 wonderful years of marriage. Jean worked as the church secretary from 1964 to 1971. After the birth of their second daughter, Jean transitioned to substitute teaching at Trinity Christian Academy’s high school from 1971 to 1974. In 1974, Jean became a full-time teacher, specializing in business courses such as typing, shorthand, and accounting. She dedicated 32 years to teaching before retiring in 2006. Overall, Jean devoted 42 years of her life to Trinity.
Mrs. Whitehead was a favorite teacher who had a lasting impact on the lives of her students. Many of them would often mention how she encouraged them and made a difference in their lives whenever they saw her. The typing skills she taught proved invaluable to their careers. She was a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and served as the church organist. She also loved attending the Senior Bible Fellowship class at Trinity, where she played the piano. In addition, she was an active member and secretary of the Red Roses Women’s Group at the church and looked forward to their monthly get-togethers. Jean’s favorite pastime was spending time with her daughters and six grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, and spoiling her grandchildren. She loved watching the birds at her feeders, tending to her flowers, and canning vegetables and making jellies. During her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling with her husband and close friends across all 50 states.
In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edwin “Bud” Whitehead, in 2020; her brothers, Alvin, Russell, Delbert, and James Tyink; and her sisters, Sally DeHaan, Donna Bos, Katherine Bruursema, and Esther Ebels.
Jean is survived by her children, Michele (David) Williamson and Janna (Don) Keene. Her grandchildren include Matthew, Andrew (Madison), and Courtney Williamson; Danielle (Nathan) Cleland; Kyle Assaf; and Kevin (Morgan) Assaf. She is also survived by her sister, Carla (Bill) Vander Bie, and her in-laws, Marlene Tyink, Charlotte (Frank) Durrance, Faye Whitehead, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jean loved and served the Lord and will be forever missed by all who loved her.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 2:00PM in Trinity Baptist Church, 800 Hammond Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221 followed by interment in Gethsemane Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Trinity Baptist Church
Trinity Baptist Church
Amey Walker (Dennison)
January 22, 2025, 5:59 am
Michelle and Janna! Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families!