May 9, 1929 – July 23, 2026
Jean Shockley Wingard, age 97, passed away at her daughter’s home in Bainbridge, Georgia, Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Services for Mrs. Wingard will be held Saturday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m. in the Cadwell Chapel of Cox-Ivey Funeral Home, Bainbridge, GA. Rev. John Woodrum and Rev. Newton Cranford will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 31st, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Cadwell Chapel.
Jean Shockley was born May 9, 1929, in Oakfield, Georgia, to Evan Leonard Shockley and Nell Pearson Shockley. Jean grew up with her brother, Sonny (Evan Nelson), in a small farming community, happy and loved. Much later (1948) came the addition of brother Charles. She started her education in a one-room schoolhouse. She was born when homes had wood stoves, fireplaces, but no indoor plumbing; life was vastly different. The family later moved to Bainbridge, Georgia, and Jean graduated from Bainbridge High School. Her first job was working at Polly’s Dress Shop. She certainly enjoyed the job but then moved on to Hart-Rollins Furniture Store. Jean worked at Hart-Rollins from 1950 until the store closed in 2006. She was the secretary, bookkeeper, salesperson, buyer, decorator, and official coffee maker. Jean was extremely talented. She was an excellent seamstress, making curtains, bedspreads, beautiful clothes for herself and her daughter, even bridesmaid dresses for her daughter’s wedding; she also covered furniture. Jean had exquisite taste in home decor and was smart as a whip. Classy is how she would be described. From her hair to her shoes, everything was tasteful as she made a point of dressing to perfection for work and special occasions. Away from work was sometimes a different look, for Jean loved to pole fish and knew how to “catch ’em.” In addition, she had gorgeous beds of flowers and loved working in her yard. Jean also raised butterflies by transferring the caterpillars from their host plants to containers where later they became butterflies. She was the perfect hostess and an amazing cook, often inviting others into her home. For decades it was her great joy to cook a Christmas breakfast for family and friends, who considered hers better and bigger than that of a fine restaurant. Jean also enjoyed helping with bridal and baby showers and such with the “Ladies of Grace” at Grace Church, where she was a member. The example of a true lady, she will be deeply missed.
Jean is survived by her children, Sharon Wingard Beauchamp (David N. “Buz”), and Mark S. Wingard, both of Bainbridge; brother, Charles S.Shockley (Bobbie Jean) of Bainbridge; grandchildren, Stuart Beauchamp (Marielle) of Daytona Beach, Florida, Evan Beauchamp (Chelsey) of Atlanta, Georgia, Katie Hulse (Alan) of Sebastian, Florida, Annie Gorgasz (Scott) of Tampa, Florida, and David Beauchamp (Jessica) of Carmel, California; great-grandchildren, Connor Beauchamp, Duncan Beauchamp, Kate Beauchamp, Claire Beauchamp, Crew Beauchamp, Cade Beauchamp, Jay Hulse, Kenny Hulse, Elle Gorgasz, Lily Gorgasz, Alex Gorgasz, Evie Gorgasz, and Luke Beauchamp; nieces and nephews, Karen Long, Sheila Lane, Evan Shockley, Brian Shockley, Charla Cranford, Shana Martin, and Shea Shockley; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Sonny Shockley.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Grace Christian Academy, 1302 Lake Douglas Road, Bainbridge, Georgia.
Online condolences may be sent at www.coxiveyfuneralhome.com. Cox-Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
