Jean Pigott Bourne
91, Columbia
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Colonial Funeral Home for Jean Pigott Bourne, 91, of Columbia, who passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, Dec. 13, with her adoring husband by her side. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Rev. Dane Hodges, Rev. Glenn Nace and Rev. Zach Smith officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, Dec. 16, at Colonial Funeral Home.
She was a star basketball player at Dexter High School, an outstanding player at Pearl River Community College, an extraordinary coach at West Marion High School and an exceptional educator in Marion County for almost 45 years. She has an associate degree from PRCC, a bachelor’s degree from USM and a master’s in education from William Carey.
Jean and her twin sister, Jane’s, outstanding play at Dexter High led them to Pearl River Community College. In 1951, she was named PRCC female athlete of the year and named to the All-State Team in ‘51 and ‘52. As a result of her outstanding career at PRCC, she was inducted into the PRCC Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. In June of 2023, she became the first female inductee into the Marion County Sports Hall of Fame.
She became the newly formed West Marion High School girls’ basketball coach in 1960 and led her teams to the State Tournament every year while averaging almost 40 wins per season before leaving the coaching arena in the mid 1960s to focus on her family and teaching. She really cared for her players and formed lifetime bonds with many players.
Just as she had done in her playing career and coaching career, she poured her life into teaching and helping to educate hundreds in Marion County as she and her husband, Billy, spent more than 45 years in education. They cared for their students like their own and worked so hard to help them be their best.
Throughout her life, she loved to go places, shop and keep her hair and nails done. She really liked to travel with her FBC “Young at Heart” group. Her favorite hobby was watching her birds and squirrels that were fed tons (literally) of seeds.
The family would like to thank their wonderful caregivers for the last few years; Linda McCarthy and Nikki Aultman for six-plus years and Renee Thamas, as well as Mary Ann Boyd, Lucretia Smith, Sandra Lucas and home health’s Krystal Ervin Jerkins and David Brown – don’t know what we would have done without them (a blessing). Jean and Billy also would like to thank their special “adopted” daughter, Patty Ervin Stringer, and the Carolyn Ervin family for always being there when they needed them. While all of their visitors and calls were cherished, the family especially appreciates Patty Stringer and Terri and Darlene Ervin, Martha and Peggy Pigott, Bobby and June Nichols, Hugh Gene and Diane Smith, Gary Barber, Mary Lou (dec.) and Billy Brumfield and Sharon Simmons and Sylvia Martin for visiting and calling them often and bringing them “treats.” Thanks to their neighbors for their calls and help over the years, especially Maurice Ingram, a true “good neighbor” for more than 25 years.
She was a member of Foxworth First Baptist Church for 60-plus years. Thanks to the members for their many calls and prayers. She was faithful to her daily bible readings.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Parnell Pigott; twin sister, Jane Pigott Dillion; and brothers, Clyde Pigott Jr. and Jerry Pigott.
Survivors include her loving and caring husband of almost 73 years, Billy C. Bourne; her son, Tommy Bourne and caring daughter in law, Lynn Morgan Bourne; two grandchildren, Christie Bourne Kracht (Eric), and Thomas Bourne (Nikki); five great-grandchildren, Hannah Kracht, Caleb Kracht, Tristan Bourne, Emmie Bourne and Camden Bourne; niece, Lori Pigott Fast; nephews, Craig Pigott, Chris Pigott and Twain Pigott; and two wonderful sisters-in-law, Peggy Pigott and Martha Pigott.
Pallbearers were Thomas Bourne, Tristan Bourne, Eric Kracht, Caleb Kracht, Eugene Smith, Bobby Nichols and Gary Barber. Honorary pallbearer was Craig Pigott.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomes-ms.com for the Bourne family. Arrangements were entrusted to Colonial Funeral Home.
