Obituary of Jean Sterchi

Georgia Jean Cunningham Sterchi, 82, died on October 20th, 2010. Jean is survived by her two daughters and son-in-laws Lisa and Mark Simpson of Winter Springs, FL and Debbie and David Modglin of Thompson’s Station, TN. In addition, she is survived by her four grandchildren Kaylin and Kristen Simpson, and Kimberly and Chad Modglin. Jean is also survived by her twin sister, Dorothy Jane Browning of Pearland, Texas and was preceded in death by her sister Mary Elizabeth Galey from Baton Rouge Louisiana. Jean was born and lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she and her sister became known as the “Chattanooga Twins”. She and her sister Jane were crowned “Miss Chattanooga” in 1947, which was the first time that twins had won such an honor in a Miss America franchise contest. They flipped a coin where Jean was chosen to represent as Miss Tennessee and both competed in the Miss America pageant. Jean was one of the 15 finalists. Jean married John William Staley in 1949, and eventually moved to Nashville where they built a successful wholesale office supply company. Jean was an avid golfer and won several club championships. She had a passion for gardening, boating and fishing. Jean was a wonderful Mother and will truly be missed. A funeral service will be held at the Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 West Broadway in Pearland, Texas on Saturday, October 30th, 2010 at 1pm. Interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to: the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway Suite 1, Marietta, GA 30067, Phone: (678) 385-2000, or, Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: 407-682-0808.