Jean Coleman Strafford died Monday, November 24, 2014, in a Henrico County nursing home after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 89.

She was born November 16, 1925, in Charlottesville to John Jay Coleman and Virginia Lee Coleman. She grew up on her parents' farm in the Rockfish Valley of Nelson County and graduated from Rockfish Valley High School in 1943 as valedictorian.

After graduation, she began working for Dr. John Woodworth, a Waynesboro veterinarian, and later worked at the Woodrow Wilson Army Hospital in Fishersville and the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. She was a bookkeeper and payroll specialist.

On June 19, 1948, she married Richard Murdock Strafford, and they raised two sons. He died in 1973.

Jean was active in many ways, particularly at Rockfish Presbyterian Church in Nellysford, where she was a longtime member and had served as a deacon, an elder and as clerk of the Session. She also served a term as chair of Blue Ridge Presbytery's Coordinating Council.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Esther M. Coleman, and a special aunt, Margaret Coleman Garth. Survivors include her two sons, Richard Jay Strafford and John Stephen Strafford, both of Henrico County, and a special cousin, Nancy Garth Small of Waynesboro.

A private graveside service will be held at Rockfish Presbyterian Church, with a memorial service to be held at the church at a later date.

The family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial gift do so to Rockfish Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 278, Nellysford, VA 22958.

Anderson Funeral Home of Crozet is in charge of arrangements.

andersonfuneralservice@gmail.com