Jean M. Ensley

Jean M. Ensley passed away on February 25, 2025, at the age of 96.

We are here today to say goodbye, for now, to Jean Monteith Ensley. Jean was the only child of J. Lawrence and Hattie Whitaker Monteith. She was born and grew up in Sylva. She was valedictorian of her high school class, graduating with the highest average ever held at that time. She received two typing medals, and her love of music won her a music award, which she received for her playing of hymns. She was offered scholarships by three colleges.

She attended Western Carolina and Wake Forest University. She graduated in medical technology from Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina.

She lived in Brevard, North Carolina, for a period of eleven years, where she owned and operated a theatre. Returning to Sylva, she went into the real-estate business with her father.

On June 27, 1975, she met Logan W. Ensley. With his good looks and uniquely witty personality, he lit up her life, stole her heart, and became the love of her life. They were married on August 13, 1975. Jean heard a sermon by a good preacher on marry in haste and regret in leisure. Not so in their case. It was truly a match made in Heaven.

Logan's kindness to Jean's parents endeared him even more to her. Logan was from a family of seven children. They had lost both of their parents when the youngest was only three years old. There were no social services, food stamps, or any kind of aid at that time. But not wanting to be separated, the seven siblings somehow remained together. Jean never had the opportunity to meet Logan's parents, Jean's parents became to him the parents Logan had lost. They loved Logan so very much that he became the son they never had.

Jean's only regret was that they didn't have more time together. She consoled herself by thinking she and Logan had had more happiness in the eleven years they were together than some people have in a lifetime. Logan had made the remark that he would like to live forever if he could do so with Jean. Now that wish has come true.

Though she was an only child, Jean never liked being alone. She brought children home with her at every opportunity. At night Jean didn't want her mother to go to sleep before she did. But Hattie finally succeeded in teaching Jean that she would never be alone. If she were in a hospital room, lost on a lonely road--regardless of where she was--she would never be alone. Her mother left no doubt in Jean’s mind about eternal life. One example she gave her was having her look at the trees, which were so bare and looked so dead in winter only to come out green, beautiful, and full of life in summer. Another invaluable lesson she taught Jean was that all we really have is what we give away! She made certain that Jean would never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Jean believed in Angels and felt that she had one for a mother.

As a child, Jean felt that she was a disappointment to her father because she was not a boy. But in his later years he boasted to his pastor, Ed Beddingfield, that Jean was a better businessperson than he himself. Thus, she finally felt that at least in business, she had taken her place in a man's world and fulfilled her father's desire for a son to succeed him. Jean had learned these lessons from her father: (1) that she should treat others as she would want to be treated; (2) that debts must be paid; (3) that if she took care of the pennies, the dollars would take care of themselves; (4) that anything worth doing is worth doing well; (5) that she should work each day as if she would live forever but live each day as if it would be her last; (6) that your word your bond,

When Jean was left to run the real-estate business by herself, she had the loyalty and support of many people: electricians, plumbers, employees, tenants, police officers, town and county officials--you name it. They would do anything for her because she treated them with generosity and appreciation beyond belief.

Jean had no children of her own. But like her mother, through her work with children in Sunday School, she was blessed with many children to love. And love them she did! She could not have loved them more had they been her very own.

Jean loved her church. She maintained perfect attendance for well over sixty years. A minister once made the remark that each time we enter the church, we show love for our Lord. Jean never forgot his comment. She certainly did not attend church to see people or to be seen. She started sitting in the church parlor with her mother during worship service when Miss Hattie was no longer able to go to the sanctuary. This practice continued following her mother's death. After cleaning her Sunday School room, Jean would stop in the parlor rather than go into the sanctuary late.

Jean gave generously to her church. At the end of World War II, as soon as missionaries were allowed into Japan, Hattie Monteith paid a missionary's salary for a year, believing the only lasting peace would come through Jesus Christ. Again, like her mother, whom she loved so very much, Jean paid a missionary's salary for a year. She gave generously to foreign missions. She helped Jack Hinson on the mission trip he made between the two times he served as interim pastor of our church. She also donated the money to pay for having the church chimes repaired in 1980.

Jean was a very private person. Her Lord, her family, a few special friends, children, and animals were the center of her life. But she did enjoy a good game of bridge. She didn't consider this to be much of a vice.

She had a good sense of humor. She believed that Christians are the only truly happy people. With Jack Hinson she shared the belief that laughter is one way of showing one's Christianity.

Jean was most appreciative for any kindness shown to her. If it were possible for her to do so, she would thank each of you for being here today!

As you know, Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Logan, and by her father and mother. When she thought of heaven, she thought of going to a beautiful place, being met by Logan, who would take her to see her own parents, then take her to introduce her to his parents. It is our belief that she is with all of them today and happier than mortal words can express. How beautiful heaven must be, especially when our loved ones are there to meet us and welcome us home!

Jean once heard Billy Graham say that someday people would hear that he was dead but that they should not believe a word of it. He would be more alive than he had ever been. Jean shares this belief.

This Eulogy was written by Mrs. Nancy Coward before her passing in 2023.

A memorial service will be held for Jean at First Baptist Church of Sylva at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 23, 2025. She will be laid to rest in her family Mausoleum at Keener Cemetery in Sylva following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to ARF humane society in jeans honor. Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva have charge of the arrangements. An online registry is available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com