- Date Of Birth: November 22, 1951
- Date Of Death: December 7, 2016
- State: Illinois
Donna “Jeanne” Jolliff Donna “Jeanne” Jolliff age 65 of Centralia, received her reward in Heaven Wednesday, December 7, 2016 while in the arms of her family at home. Jeanne was born November 22, 1951 in Mt. Vernon, IL, the daughter of James Sledge and Loretta “Penny” (Runnels) Garrison.
She married Randall Jolliff in 1974 and he survives her in Centralia. In addition to her husband, Jeanne is survived by her father James Sledge and wife Linda; two daughters: Jennifer Arning and husband Jason of Centralia and Mya Jolliff of Centralia; two sons: Shane Jolliff of Centralia and Butch Jolliff and wife Jena of Centralia; two brothers: Mark Sledge and Stephanie of Mt. Vernon and Tony Garrison of Mt. Vernon; four sisters: Linda Shafer of Mt. Vernon, Pam Stout and husband Phil of Mt. Vernon, Jacqueline Morgan and husband Danny of Mt. Vernon and Nancy Karch and husband Mike of Mt. Vernon; five grandchildren: Kane Jolliff, Randa Walsh, Adam Jolliff, Abby Yokley and Ashley Reid; five great grandchildren; many beloved nieces and nephews. Jeanne was preceded in death by her mother Loretta “Penny” Garrison. Jeanne, also known as “Momma Jolliff”, was the biggest Orphan fan and most importantly number one supporter of the CHS cheerleaders.
She was the definition of a cheer mom, never missing a game for her daughters Jen and Mya when they were growing up, but in recent years she served as Momma Jolliff to countless kids coming through the CHS cheer program. She made posters and signs, always had her cowbell, traveled to competitions all over the state with her daughter Jennifer and the team. She loved the kids and saw many of them as her own. She had a very special place in her heart for young people and played the part as “Mom” to so many, especially when her own children were young. Her favorite times as a mom were spent driving a carload of kids around singing songs, picking people up from practices, feeding the neighborhood children even always having their own “water jug” in the Jolliff fridge for when they came to play.
Jeanne had such a love for everyone and a servant’s heart, always living her life for others and trying to make everyone smile. She was a hard worker and spent many years working at Walgreens Distribution in Mt. Vernon, where she made many beloved friends. In her younger years, she worked at the Candy Factory and Miss Elaine’s and used her sewing skills to make creative Halloween costumes for her children along with many fun dress up clothes for her girls. Jeanne had such an appreciation for nature and loved to fish and work outside.
She could literally fix anything and she also LOVED her dogs: Cisco, Trouble, LeRoy Brown and Missy. During her illness, LeRoy never left her side and always kept her warm. Jeanne never knew a stranger and had an amazing gift of always making those around her smile and feel goodness in the world. Her love and kindness were infectious and she enjoyed being with others, trying to make their days better. Even in her recent times of trouble, she always fought and pushed on not for herself but for her family. Her family was her everything. She made the world a better place and has left a beautiful legacy of love, true strength, courage, and faith.
