Jean Lois Eskridge of Poulsbo died August 11th at Avamere nursing home in Sandy, Oregon. She was born March 12, 1924 in El Paso, Texas to Richmond and Pearl Payne. From age four until graduating from high school she lived in Winlock, Washington. She graduated from Winlock High School in 1941 and attended Bremerton Business College. She married Henry L. Eskridge in 1943 in Bremerton. Most of her married life she and Henry lived in Poulsbo where they raised two children – Rick Eskridge of Sandy, Oregon and Becky Forsythe of Palm Beach, Florida.

Jean worked as secretary at North Kitsap Junior High School for ten years, at the First Lutheran Church in Poulsbo, and at Keyport and Bangor naval bases. She retired from Federal employment in 1987. She was active in the First Lutheran Church for many years and at Gateway Fellowship Church. She volunteered for over twenty years at the Sparsum Butikk thrift store that helps support the Fishline in Poulsbo. She belonged to the Republican Women and worked on the Washington State Elections Board.

She accepted the Lord into her heart at a revival meeting when she was twelve and lived her Faith all of her life.

Jean was proceeded in death by her husband, Henry and brother Edgar Payne. Survivors include brother Mac Payne of Austin, Texas; son, Rick; daughter Becky; grandchildren, Dawn Moriarty of Silverdale, Julie Maggio of Vancouver, Washington, Daniel Forsythe of Marysville, and Emily Andersen of Eagle Creek, Oregon; nine great-grand children.

A memorial service will be held at the Gateway Fellowship Church on September 21 at 1:00 pm. Memorial donations suggested to the Glen Odle Scholarship Fund of the Gateway Fellowship Church.