Jean Runions Obituary

Willie Jean Butler Runions, known to many as Jean Runions, passed away on July 26, 2025. Born on August 23, 1938, in Haywood County, Tennessee, Jean was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As novelist Leo Tolstoy once said, "Only people who are capable of loving strongly can also suffer great sorrow, but this same necessity of loving serves to counteract their grief and heals them." Jean's love for her family and friends was a testament to her strength and resilience.
Jean graduated from Bells High School in 1957 and went on to work as a Bail Bondsman for Williams Bonding Company, from where she retired after years of dedicated service. Known for her vivacious spirit, Jean loved to fill her time with cooking, sewing, and dancing. Jean also had a passion for reading and was an avid patron of yard sales and thrift stores. Her vibrant personality and zest for life will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. Mrs. Jean was also a long standing member of Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was very involved in various Church activities.
Jean is survived by her children Jeff (Shawn) Runions, Susan (Jason) Sudbury, Jennifer (Troy Matthews) Davis, Cindy (Mark) Emison, Scotty (Linda) Runions, and Sandra (Vernon) Elder, sixteen grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Joe Riley Runions, her parents, Elgie and Willie Mae Butler, her daughter, Sammie Dixon, and her brother, Elgie Butler, Jr.
Jean's life will be celebrated at a graveside service on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00am at the Salem Church Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service will be Christopher Emison, Casey Emison, Turner Matthews, Brandon Williams, Andrew Runions, and Zachary Stephenson.
Jean's kind spirit and loving nature left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her. We invite family and friends to share their memories and upload photos to Jean's memorial page, contributing to a celebration of a life well-lived.