Jean Barefoot

FOUR OAKS, NC   Jean Cooper Barefoot, born November 2, 1925 passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, October 7, 2012 at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield, NC. She was the daughter of William C. Cooper and Lucile Strickland Cooper of Falcon, NC in Cumberland County. After attending elementary school in Falcon, she moved to Four Oaks, NC as a sixth grader, where her mother taught music at Four Oaks Public School. Jean graduated from high school in Four Oaks and after attending Elon College, married Everette Glenn Barefoot, her high school sweetheart, in 1945. Jean was an active member of Four Oaks United Methodist Church since 1949 and has always been involved in church activities.  She was especially drawn to music and was a member of the church choir until 1998.  She was active in community activities, enjoyed keeping her home and yard, socializing and entertaining with friends and being involved in her sons' activities. She worked for a number of years at the Smithfield Herald, then at Smithfield Savings and Loan, where she retired as Secretary-Treasurer in 1980.  After she and Everette retired, they started Barefoot Country Hams which they continued operating until 1998. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Everette Glenn Barefoot, 2876 U.S. 701 South, Four Oaks, NC  27524; sons, Stephen Barefoot of Durham, NC and Michael Barefoot of Chapel Hill, NC and her grandson, John Malllary Barefoot Klein, a student at Reed College in Portland, OR. She wished to express special thanks to her loving friend and caretaker for the past six months, Beatrice Giles of Benson. Survivors also include her brother, Dr. William C. Cooper and family; cousins, Dorothy Cooper Oliver, Melba Strickland Hales, Annette Strickland Jackson, Derlie James Lynch, Mary Strickland House and Martha Strickland Freeman. She was very close to Everette's large family, especially her niece, Pamela Barefoot, whom she liked to claim as the daughter she never had.  Barefoot family survivors include brother in-law, Lawrence Barefoot and family; sister in-law, Helen Barefoot and sons, and sister in-law, Rose Barefoot Elmore and family, among others. Jean Barefoot lived a long and happy life.  Her joy was being a good mother and homemaker and she relished life's blessings of family and friends.  Visitation will be held from 1-3 PM at the Fellowship Hall of Four Oaks United Methodist Church on Friday, October 12, with funeral services conducted by Rev. Joey Yow at 3 PM in the church sanctuary.  Burial will follow at Four Oaks Cemetery.  Jean has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Four Oaks United Methodist Church 120 Fund, P. O. Box 177, Four Oaks, NC  27524 or the charity of one's choice.  Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Four Oaks.