Steadfast Love, Zeal and Adventure– The Life Story of Jean Smith
Jean Smith’s life, 71 years of which were spent in full-time service, was full of love and adventure.
Jean sadly passed away in our Blackpool Home at the end of 2025, and we miss her. Being with her and listening to her experiences has encouraged us immensely, and it is our privilege to share this with you.
Let us tell you her fascinating story!
From the Foothills of the Himalayas to Liverpool
Jean Margaret Smith was born on the 20th of August 1925 in Cawnpore (now known as Kanpur), India to Horwood and Kathleen Powell. She had three older sisters, Cynthia, Dorothy & Dawn. She spent her childhood in a boarding school nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, 300 miles away from Cawnpore. She often spoke of those beautiful, carefree, flower-scented days, and that love for India stayed with her for the rest of her life.
The family eventually returned to England, and Jean and her sisters finished their schooling in London. When war broke out, Jean’s father, who was working for the Government, was transferred up to Liverpool. The rest of the family settled in the nearby ‘safer’ town of Wallasey (as fewer bombs were being dropped there!). At 16, Jean left school and began her training to be a State Registered Nurse. It was also the year she would come into contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The Seed Takes Root
Jean recalled how she first got acquainted with the truth:
“My mother was at home and heard a knock on the door, and it was a brother; his name was Claude Goodman, I think … He gave her literature, and he called daily, not for a Bible study as such, but he never missed calling on my mother.”
Jean met a few of the Witnesses who came to her home, but it wasn’t until she was 18 that the seed would take root. Having moved to Liverpool to study, she would come back to Wallasey on her day off once every two weeks to be with her family. It was on one of these visits that she decided to go to a meeting at the Kingdom Hall. She was very impressed with the kindness of the congregation, so she decided to go more often.
The truth eventually found its way into Jean’s heart, and it took root! She dedicated her life and was baptised on the 6th of July 1948, but little did she know how much that decision would change the course of her future and bring about untold blessings …. and a chance to return to her beloved India.
A Love Born Out of Deep Friendship
She met Steve in the Wallasey congregation, and a friendship blossomed.
She recalled: “Steve took me under his wing, and for two years, he'd take me on the work and take me to the meeting. And there [was] no such thing as any [romantic] love or familiarity, nothing but solely a real good friendship.”
That’s what Jean thought - but when Steve popped the question (even without a ring and despite her mother’s protestations), she didn’t hesitate, and her answer was “Yes!” They were married soon after in 1948. In 1952, after finishing her nursing training, Jean joined Steve in the pioneer ministry.
Of Steve, she said:
“What a good man he was. I could trust him with anything.”
Gilead Opened a Door to Where It All Began
Jean recalled ‘slipping to the floor’ in amazement when they received the letter to attend the 21st Class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead.
Jean remembered how friendly everyone was during her time at World Headquarters. She even got to work in the Bethel infirmary, as she was a qualified nurse. Their graduation in 1953 was an extraordinary event. Another attendee had this to say about it:
“It was an extraordinary occasion. There were just 127 students in the graduating class, but in attendance was an enthusiastic audience of 126,387, who had come from scores of nations. It was the graduation of the 21st class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, held in New York City’s Yankee Stadium on July 19, 1953.”
To Jean’s surprise, they were assigned as a couple to the Branch in India!
Jean’s niece, Sally, recalled that Steve was hoping to be assigned to South Africa. However, as Jean already knew both Urdu and Hindi, the decision was made to send the couple to Jean’s beloved childhood home – India. Much to Jean’s delight.
“I Never Thought of Going Home”
For the first 7 years in India, they served as field missionaries. Their assignment came with its fair share of challenges - intense heat, lack of amenities, mosquitoes, jostling for space in trains, and several bouts of sickness, to name a few.
Jean had dealt with illnesses throughout her life, and they followed her on her assignment, too. She recalled that at one point she had lost so much weight through illness that she didn’t dare send a photo home to her dad as she feared that he would “go mad [at her]”.
She recalls an incident when she was very ill while they were on circuit work. She had been to the hospital three times, and an American doctor told her to ‘go home’, but Jean related:
“My husband and I never thought of going home … I mean, we got through that, and I got through it all. Jehovah helped in every way, of course, and the brothers did too. Oh, I loved the work there, it was marvellous!”
She reminisces about some of her other experiences in her life story video.
Despite many challenges, they were privileged to assist well over 100 Bible Studies in progressing to baptism.
Back To England
In 1968, Jean and Steve returned to England as Steve’s health had sadly deteriorated. Initially, they joined the Blackpool congregation as Special Pioneers, where Jean’s zeal lived on. A close friend fondly recalls: “Aunty Jean had the largest order of magazines out of the whole congregation and would almost stagger out with the pile. … they would place hundreds of magazines.”
In 2009, however, it became evident that Steve needed residential care, which would have meant living apart. However, a local brother and sister who owned a residential care home made a loving gesture by offering the couple a double room so they could stay together. Jean recalled those lovely days that they spent there playing Scrabble together.
Tragically, Steve died on the 21st of December 2010 in the Honeysuckle Care Home, Blackpool. Amazingly, before his death and despite Steve’s high care needs, a special trip was arranged for the couple to visit and stay as guests at London Bethel and fulfil one of their lifelong wishes - to join in the Bethel family study of the Watchtower. This experience made a lasting impression on them, and they never stopped talking about it!
What Many Didn’t Know
Jean’s love for people was evident in her actions, often unseen and unnoticed by people. Roy, a local elder who supported Jean whilst at Jah-Jireh, related an example of her generosity. Jean had heard of a brother in Africa who was struggling because his car had broken down, so Jean said to Roy:
“We’ve got to help him. Can we arrange, please, to send him the money to fix the vehicle so he can take his family and his brothers to the meetings and to the field service?”
Roy says of Jean:
“Jean also was interested in the brothers and sisters, and if she heard of any who were struggling a bit or not doing very well [in the truth] she would always write a card or a letter to them”.
The Next Chapter
After a lifetime of travel and adventure and coping with the loss of her beloved Steve, Jean settled in the Blackpool Jah-Jireh to live out the remainder of her days.
After 14 years as one of Jah-Jireh’s longest-serving residents, Jean passed away peacefully on 24th December 2025, aged 100!
Jean was well known and loved in the Blackpool Jah-Jireh Home, and she filled the Home with her stories, quick wit, chuckles, and an occasional chastisement if anyone needed it!
She was a sterling example of love and zeal for Jehovah, and she was especially thrilled that she had exceeded even the Bible’s description of “special mightiness” by attaining the ripe old age of 100. Like the patriarchs, it could certainly be said of Jean that she “died at a good old age, old and satisfied” (Genesis 25:8).
Looking back, she was once asked what helped her to remain faithful to Jehovah and she replied:
“Staying faithful to his organisation and sticking close to the brothers… if [the brothers say] not to do something, don’t do it! If[they say] do it, then do it!”
We all look forward to seeing our dear sister Jean Smith again in the coming new world, along with her loving husband Steve. A close friend, who was with Jean during the last moments of her life, spoke of Jean’s ‘faith, loyalty and zeal’, expressing:
“That is her legacy. I cannot wait to see the twinkle in her eyes once more”.
We feel the same about Jean, as we reflect on her deep love for Jehovah God, for her husband Steve and for people. That love shaped every chapter of her hundred years – we look forward to seeing the next chapter!
