Frances Jean Bateman Thomas

Frances Jean Bateman Thomas passed away 03/16/19 in Chattanooga at Standifer Place Skilled Nursing facility. She was born June 13, 1935 in Trezevant TN. She grew up in McKenzie TN attending school there at MHS and Bethel College. In her youth she was a West Tennessee Strawberry Queen, Miss Bethel, and competed in other beauty pageants, often alongside Dixie Carter. She also attended Freed Hardman University and David Lipscomb for a semester. She was a member of the McKenzie Church of Christ. Jean, her husband Jeff, and their children settled in Chattanooga in 1965. Jean was well known as the long-time hostess at Michaels on Brainerd Rd. She also worked the UTC box office for many years. Late in life she was proud to be an extra in the movie “42” which was filmed in Chattanooga. She is preceded in death by her husband Jeff David Thomas, her father Odell Bateman, and mother Rubye Bateman. She is survived by her brother Mike Bateman and sister-in-law Laura Hazelwood Bateman (McKenzie), her son Jeff David Thomas Jr. and daughter-in-law Sharon Hutsell Thomas, her daughter Cheri Lynn Thomas, her granddaughter Elizabeth Thomas Janeway and grandson-in-law Nathan Janeway (all of Chattanooga). She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be from 10 to 12 CDT on Tuesday 3/19 with funeral following at 2 pm CDT. Arrangements are by Brummitt-McKenzie Funeral Home McKenzie TN. A Celebration of Life for Chattanooga friends and extended family will be held on Sunday 3/24 from 3 to 5 PM EDT in the Ridgedale Room Ridgedale Baptist church.