Jean Brooking Weatherford

Jean Brooking Weatherford was a devoted wife, sister and daughter, a loving mother, an adored grandmother and a fun-spirited friend.

Jean was born on April 22, 1947, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to E.L. and Mildred Brooking. She was the older sister to twin brother Emerson Dean. She was also the younger sister of two older brothers, Lyn and Roger, who were also twins. As the only daughter with three brothers, Jean learned quickly to hold her own. She would go on to graduate from The Westminster School in Atlanta, Georgia where she was a proud member of the class of 1965.

Jean would later go to the University of Tennessee, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She was also invited to be a Debutante in Atlanta while attending college.

During her time at UT, she met and fell in love with fellow Volunteer Jimmy Weatherford, a defensive back for the football team, who was later named to the 1967 All American Team. They married in 1968 and spent their honeymoon cheering him on as he played in the Cotton Bowl.

Their journey together took them across several states as Jimmy went on to play for the Atlanta Falcons and later coached at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). While in Virginia, Jean worked in admissions at Washington and Lee University. As the daughter of a candy manufacturer, she also spent time working in the family business, Crown Candy Corporation, which was headquartered in Atlanta before relocating to Macon.

After years of moves during Jimmy’s coaching career, Jean and Jimmy settled in Macon in 1978 with their two young children, Brooke and Jamie. Jimmy joined Crown Candy, and Jean earned her real estate license, building a respected career as an agent with Sheridan and Solomon Realtors.

Jean fully embraced life in Macon. She played tennis, enjoyed bridge, and delighted in welcoming their third child, Wood. Known for her vivacious personality, loyal friendships, and wholehearted devotion to her children, Jean filled their lives with endless love and unforgettable fun – from spontaneous fire drills at stoplights to dancing down movie theater aisles. Jean was always up for an adventure and always ready to make someone laugh.

As her family grew, she welcomed her son-in-law Steve and daughter-in-law Jessica as her own. She cherished the arrival of her grandchildren, Jackson, Olive, and Walden, and stepped proudly and joyfully into her role as Mimi. Affectionately known as “Mama Jean” by many, or “Jean-Jean-the-Dancing-Machine” to anyone who ever cut a rug beside her, Jean’s life was marked by zest, enthusiasm, devotion, and laughter – a signature cackle that could fill any room and will be deeply missed.

Even in her later years, Jean continued to rule the bridge table, as well as the heart of her beloved Jimmy Weatherford, her other half that made up 57 years of marriage.

Jean passed away on November 25, 2025. She is survived by her husband James Earl “Jimmy” Weatherford, daughter Jeannie Brooke Weatherford Kinross (Steve Kinross), son James Taylor Weatherford (Jessica Walden), son Robert Lynwood Weatherford, twin brother Dr. Emerson Dean Brooking (Virginia Strickland Brooking) and grandchildren Jackson James Kinross, Olive Jean Kinross and Jameson Walden Weatherford.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ernest Lynnwood Brooking, Jr and Mildred Powers Brooking and brother Lyn Brooking. Her brother, Roger Brooking, passed away two days after her on November 27, 2025.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Mulberry United Methodist Church. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Community Foundation of Central Georgia for the Macon Duplicate Bridge Club Fund: 577 Mulberry Street, Ste. 1600, Macon, Georgia 31201.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of the arrangements.