Jean Marie Fowler Cheetham, 72
September 11, 1953 – August 30, 2026
Jean Marie Fowler Cheetham, 72, of Corinth, Mississippi, passed away on August 30, 2026, at Tishomingo Community Living Center in Iuka.
Jean was born in Ruleville, Mississippi, to Vernon and Lonie DuBose Fowler. Her official date of birth was September 11, 1953, but Jean always enjoyed telling the story behind that date. She was the very first baby born at the newly opened Sunflower County General Hospital, and in all the excitement, the staff did not officially document her birth until the following day. Jean was actually born on September 10, giving her what she lovingly joked was her “48-hour birthday”—a story she delighted in sharing throughout her life.
Jean attended several schools while growing up in Memphis and graduated from Trezevant High School. From an early age, she had a desire to become a teacher. Later in life, she decided it was not too late to pursue that dream and returned to college, earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Blue Mountain Christian University. She went on to teach school, doing work that combined two things especially dear to her heart—learning and children. She continued teaching until declining health made it necessary for her to step away from the classroom.
Jean shared 24 years of marriage with her husband, Ralph Cheetham. Away from the classroom, she enjoyed the simple things that made a house feel like home. She loved cooking, could often be found with a good book, and had a special place in her heart for children. Her family was an important part of her life, and through the years it grew to include generations of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Jean leaves behind her husband, Ralph Cheetham; her daughter, Denise Lowery; her son, Douglas Lowery; her grandsons, Logan Simmons (Kayla), Gage Simmons (Riley), and Zachary Lowery (Destiney); her granddaughter, Amanda Ellis (Coty); and her great-grandsons, Tony, Theo, Eli, and Reed.
She is also survived by her sisters, Tippy Sanchez (Edgar), and Donna Bunch (Gerri), her brothers, Dewey Fowler (Sherry Kasaitis), and Vernon “Sonny” Fowler (Helena); as well as 19 nieces and nephews, 34 grandnieces and grandnephews, and 12 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Lonie DuBose Fowler; and her siblings, Cecil Fowler Sr., Clemmie Naranjo, Lula Moss, James “Tom” Fowler, and Becky Pierce.
No public services will be held at this time.
Associated Family Funeral Home of Tupelo is honored to serve the Cheetham family during their time of loss.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
