Jean Gripp

Jean Frances Gripp, 91, a resident of Midlothian, TX, formerly of Davenport, died Sunday, August 17, 2014 at her home.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2014 at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Friday. Memorials may be made to Genesis Hospice.

Jean was born on July 20, 1923, in Rock Island, Illinois, the daughter of Earl Thomas and Ellene Oga Caroline “Jennisch” Weir.  She married William Edward Gripp on April 20, 1940, in Davenport, Iowa.  He preceded her in death on July 29, 1975, in Dallas, Texas.

During WWII as a “Rosie Riveter” Jean worked at the Rock Island Arsenal in support of the war effort.  During the Vietnam War she participated in support groups for those who served.  After her husband’s death she worked for 10 years at the First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas in charge of the kitchen preparing food for church members and for banquets and weddings.  She was also over the stew pot serving meals to the poor.

Those left to honor her memory include her sons, Charles (Carole) Gripp of Foley, Alabama and Russell (Carol) Gripp of Woodinville, Washington; a daughter Kimberly Cogdell of Midlothian, Texas; a brother Earl Thomas Weir, Jr. of Milan, Illinois; and 13 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Charlotte Jean Anderson who died on July 5, 1990 in Davenport, Iowa and a sister, Bernice Elinore Seal who died August 15, 1998 in Picayune, Mississippi.