Jearlean Carey

Jearlean Carey was born on September 22, 1944, in Boligee, Alabama, to the loving union of the late Nathanal and Iowna (Hannah) Dotson Carey. Jearlean, affectionately known to family as “Jerry” and “Ms. Jerry,” was blessed with an older sister, Ruth Mae Carey Jones of Boligee, Alabama, and a bonus brother, Walter Carey, Sr., and sister-in-law, Clona of Chicago, Illinois, both of whom preceded her in death. After completing elementary school at Mount Hebron and high school at Green County Training School, Jearlean relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1963. She later furthered her education at Daley Community College. Jearlean was introduced to Christ and accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mountain Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Herbon, Alabama. She became a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. In relocating to Chicago, she always told everyone, “The one thing my mother said before I left Alabama was to get into church, Jerry.” On her first Sunday in Chicago, she joined Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend E. F. Ledbetter, Sr. After some years there, she moved her membership to Lively Stone Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend William Jenkins, Sr., where her missionary journey began. She remained a member of Lively Stone for many years before going to New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church under Reverend Devlin Booker, Jr. Later, she moved her members to Garden of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, formerly located in Maywood, Illinois, and now located in Broadview, Illinois, under the leadership of the late Pastor Johnnie R. Haynie. Here, she gave faithful service over 20 years as a missionary, mother, deaconess, board trustee, board financial secretary, and good friend to many. She also attended the noon-day Bible class faithfully on Wednesdays at First Baptist Church of Melrose Park, Illinois, under the leadership of Pastor John L. Belser. The Bible says there is a time and a season for everything, and always keeping faith in the Lord and being in church, she moved her membership to Jorden Temple Church in Hillside, Illinois, under the leadership of Reverend Stephen Richardson. A church with which she had connections and fellowship for over 40 years! Jearlean was a giving woman. She cared more about others than she did herself. She was a woman who would do whatever was needed and make sacrifices for her family. Jearlean was a righteous woman who was God-fearing but also God-loving. Jearlean found peace in the joy she gave her family, being a missionary, and making friends; most importantly, she found peace in the Lord! She would always say, “I work for the Lord, and Jesus will pay me.” Jearlean was a dedicated employee at Time Magazine in downtown Chicago for more than 20 years before they relocated to Tampa, Florida, and later started her career at Preferred Bookkeeping in Lincolnwood, Illlinois, until she retired as a certified bookkeeper. Jearlean truly enjoys vacations all over the world with family, either by plane, train, or cruise. From spending quality time with family in Alabama, Chicago, Detroit, Georgia, and Mississippi, she would always make you laugh, and you were guaranteed to be entertained. Jearlean began her journey to her eternal resting place on October 4, 2023. She leaves to cherish in her loving memory: her daughter, Jaime (Kenneth) of Villa Park, IL; two bonus kids, daughter, Rochelle of Romeoville, IL, and son, Jason of Zion, IL; special bounding daughter, Toyia (Andre) of Villa Park, IL; four granddaughters, Raven of Romeoville, IL, Zaria, Abigail, and Isabella of Zion, IL; grandson, Kenneth of Chicago, IL; one sister, Ruth Mae Jones (Darrow Jr.); special cousin, Bessie N. Childs; sisters-in-Christ, Sanda L. Love and Lula Jenkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom she loved unconditionally. The Anderson family, the Friend family, and the Watson family were all special church family members and extended family who were always present.

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