Jeanne Roughton

Ms. Jeanne Roughton, age 80, of Richmond Street, Sandersville, passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Heritage Inn Nursing Home following an extended illness.  A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at 2:00 p.m. at Sandersville Methodist Church, with burial in Brownwood Cemetery.  Reverend Jared Middleton will officiate.  Ms. Roughton's family will greet friends prior to the funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Heritage Hall, at the Church.

Mary Jeanne Roughton was the daughter of the late Julian Emory Roughton and the late Marjorie Lovett Roughton.  She was reared in Sandersville and graduated from Washington County High School.  Jeanne attended the University of Georgia, graduating with the class of 1967, with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education.  She later obtained her Master of Education from Georgia College in 1977.  Jeanne possessed a natural love for children and educating them.  She began her career in education on an Indian Reservation in Shonto, Arizona, teaching native American children.  She later taught elementary students in Woodbridge, Virginia, prior to returning home to Sandersville.  After a short time teaching at Brentwood School, Jeanne transitioned to Elder Primary School, where she would retire.   She continued her lifelong role of teaching, even in retirement, as the director of the Sandersville Methodist Church Preschool.   Jeanne was an active member of the Sandersville Methodist Church, where she shared her passion for music by singing in the adult choir, playing in the handbell choir or accompanying the congregation on the piano or organ.  She was often seen working in the church office or participating in the friendship fellowship senior adult program.  Jeanne cherished all her pets throughout her life and treated them as if they were her children.  Later in life, she learned how to navigate Facebook well and enjoyed keeping in touch with friends and especially former students.  Jeanne loved bird watching and would often photograph them.  In addition to her parents, she is also predeceased by her sister, Julie Roughton Cooke and nieces, Bobbie Cooke Weaver and Kathy Cooke Williford.

Survivors include her niece, Luanne Cooke Brooker and her husband John, of Sandersville and great nephews and nieces, John Brooker Jr. and his wife Leigh Anne, Michael Brooker and his wife Julie, Missy C. Beavers and her husband Eric, Tommy Scott, Jennifer Taylor, Tanya R. Ward, Justin Sanner, Charlie Williford and great-great nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the Sandersville Methodist Church alter fund at P.O. Box 611, Sandersville, GA. 31082 or to the Methodist Children's Home at themethodisthome.org.

Please leave an online condolence at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.