Jean Etta Howard Bedingfield of Lake City, Florida, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, at age 89.  Jean is preceded in death by her late husband of 61 years, Ralph Lindsey Bedingfield Sr. (Lake City), her parents (John Daniel Howard and Farrell Lora Ratcliff), sisters Julie Oneida Howard, Joyce Mary Howard, and brother Jack LaBraun Howard, all of Cleveland, TN.

Jean is survived by her two sons, Ralph L Bedingfield Jr and his wife Lori (Jacksonville, FL), and Richard Bedingfield (Atlanta, GA); and granddaughter Ellie Ann Bedingfield (Jacksonville, FL). Jean moved to Lake City with her family in 1976. She was a bank bookkeeper by training and was employed by multiple companies during her working career, such as Jefferson Pilot, Columbia Grain, and others.

But Jean's most cherished and beloved role was that of a homemaker for her family and being active in her boys' lives.  She was known as Jean to her husband, "Mom" to her two sons, and simply as "Mrs. B" to the hundreds of friends and teammates Ralph and Richard had over the years.  Up to her death, she would often be stopped while shopping, by an old friend or teammate of her sons by someone who would refer to her as "Mrs. B".  Whether being a chaperone on school trips, scorekeeper at sports games, or taking a crew of her boy's friends to the beach, she as there and happy to be a part of their lives.

Jean was a member of Parkview Baptist Church of Lake City. Jean's most loved activities were spending time with her two sons and granddaughter, traveling with her husband to all 50 States, walks on the beach with her husband, and could often be seen working in her yard even into her late 80s, pulling her little cart.  Those who knew Jean can

attest to her keen attention to detail, her passion for taking care of her family, and her sense of humor, which will be dearly missed. According to Jean's wishes, no public service will be held.  Instead, the family will hold a private service to honor Jean's memory, and after cremation, she will be joined again with her late husband, Lindsey.

GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL, 32025, 386-752-1954.