Etta Jean Horne Tinman

Etta Jean Horne Tinman, 86, of Maryville, TN, passed away on Monday September 30, 2024, after a brief illness. She was a devoted member of the Methodist faith and attended Fairview Church in Maryville.

Jean was born in Erwin, NC, on October 22, 1937, to Clarence and Lona Horne. Raised in Erwin with her 6 siblings as a faithful member of Church of God of Prophecy, she enjoyed a childhood filled with love and laughter, a spirit she maintained throughout her life. 

In 1961, Jean married the love of her life, James “JC” Tinman and they welcomed their only child, Conrad, in 1968. The Tinman family travelled and lived in many cities throughout the southeast before settling in the Tri-Cities area of TN in 1982, moving to Maryville TN in 2004 where they lived the remainder of their lives. 

When Jean wasn’t caring for her family and making a comfortable home for them, she taught Sunday School and worked as a substitute teacher, office manager, and administrative assistant. Her favorite position was working with Dr. Maria Bryan, who remained a dear friend after Jean’s retirement. 

Jean was guaranteed to bring shenanigans and pranks to any event. She loved blowing straw wrappers in restaurants and once at a women’s retreat snuck around in the middle of the night shooting everyone’s feet with a water gun.

Jean shared her love for life with the members of her Fairview Church Sunday School class, The Spares and Pairs, the ladies of the Red Hot Hatters, and more friends than can be counted. She loved spending her days finding opportunities to take unflattering, yet funny, pictures of people, enjoying delicious chocolatey treats, and sweet tea. 

She was proceeded in death by her loving husband, JC, parents, Clarence and Lona, brothers Hank, Fred, and Herbert; sisters Peggy and Susie. She is survived by her sister Ruth Horne, sister-in-laws Kathy Horne and Diane Horne, brother-in-law Robert Tinman, son Conrad, his wife Emily, grandchildren Kimberly Green, Stephanie Alderson (John), Brandon Tinman, and Jennifer Tinman, along with several nieces, nephews, and many special friends, including her lifetime friends Jeanette Williams and Wilma Whaley. 

She will be most missed by her beloved hound dog, guard dog, snack and nap buddy, Rita Margaret. 

At Jean’s request, the family will not be holding a service; however, they trust that her friends and family will celebrate her and remember her fun loving spirit and infectious giggle. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Pregnancy Resource Center, Blount County Animal Shelter, or Blount County Parks & Rec Everett Senior Center. 

The Tinman Family wishes to thank Dr. Ibrahim Shalaby and staff for their many years of compassionate care, the 4th Floor North nursing staff and ER team at Blount Memorial Hospital, and the Parker Family for their love and care of Rita.