Frances Marjean McKinney Smith Lear, Age 81, Longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, died
on January 20th 2024, At the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.
Jean as she was known, was born to Rudolph and Lucile Howell of Gulf Hammock,
Florida in 1942. Through her school years she attended over ten schools due to the
nature of her dads profession. With each new move Jean acquired new school friends
due to her pleasant and caring demeanor, personality traits that stayed with her through
her entire life…enabling her to have long lasting friendships with past school mates and
island friends.
In 1960, Jean married Kermit McKinney and went on to raise eight children, four boys
and four girls. After the death of Kermit due to ALS, Jean would later marry Scott Smith
and cared for him through his medical needs until his death. Then in 2016, Jean married
Ulysses J. Lear of School St. Oak Bluffs.
Ulysses and Jean had many pleasant memories together such as listening to music,
watching the many types of birds that flew in to see them and attending the Kingdom
Hall meetings each week.
Jean was a woman of strong faith and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in
1969. She would often speak to others of the Bible’s promises as to future blessings for
the earth and its inhabitants.
She is survived by her husband Ulysses, her two brothers Rudolph Howell and Barry
Howell, and also her seven remaining children. On the island is her son Charles
McKinney, his wife April, and daughter Emily. Off Island are her sons Richard of Virginia,
Michael of Virginia, Kermit of Utah, and all their families. Also off island are her
daughters Cindy of Georgia, Sheila of Georgia, Cheryl of South Carolina and all of their
families. Jean is also survived by step-daughter Pam Hodge of California and 23
Grandchildren and Fifteen Greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands
Kermit, and Scott, and daughter Jacqueline Bonnecarrie.
Jean’s Memorial service will be held on February 24th at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall,
48 State Rd, West tisbury.