Services for Lillian Eugenia “Jean” Hofstad
Thu, 03/15/2018 - 3:35pm
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Lillian Eugenia “Jean” Hofstad
Mrs. Lillian Eugenia “Jean” Hofstad, 81, of Mary Esther, Florida passed away peacefully on February 6, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She was born Lillian Eugenia Evans in Florala, Alabama on September 26, 1936. She graduated from Troy State College in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Immediately upon her graduation, she began a career in education that would span four decades until her retirement in 2003. Employing her philosophy that all children have the God-given right to an education, once stated that one of her crowning achievements as a school teacher was that she was a pioneer in the struggle to end segregation in Florida schools. As such, she was one of the first teachers in the state of Florida to vote against segregation thereby affording all children, regarless of race, the opportunity to receive an education.
In 1963, Jean married Orlando “Swede” Hofstad and together they were blessed with 3 children. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in December.
Jean is survived by her loving husband, Orlando “Swede” Hofstad, and 3 children. Paul J. Hofstad (Heidi) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; John O. Hofstad (Rose) of Holt, Florida; and Kimberly Hofstad Sikes (Allen) of North Pole, Alaska. She adored her 7 grandchildren, Jacqueline, Buddy, Tyler, Trevor, Holly, Spencer, and Haley, and 6 great grandchildren. She also leave behind two brothers, John Truman Evans (Inez) and Henry Evans, and 2 sisters, Lena Cassady and Joy Woodham (Arnold) as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, John Truman Evans and mother Lillian “Bill” Evans.
She has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Mary Esther since 1967. Recently, Joy Woodham said it best of Jean, “I love her with all of my heart. God has never created a more loving, humble, sweet southern lady.” Jean Hofstad truly embodied southern hospitality and we will all miss her. We know, however, that Jesus has welcomed an adoring angel into His home.
