John Raymond Bean

John Raymond Bean, born September 20, 1936 in Blount County, Tn. died January 11, 2019 at his home in Morristown, surrounded by loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Raymond and Mary Rebecca Allen Bean and a sister, Jean Allen Bean Zamzow.

He is survived by his wife, Christine Watkins Bean; sons, Allen Henry Bean of Richmond, Va.; Keith Raymond and wife Iris Schmakeit-Bean of Munster, Germany and Gary Bean of Morristown; daughters, Laura Kay and Art Hickey of Ooltewah, Tn.; Julie Marie Bean Barnard of Cleveland, Tn.; grandsons, Philip (Sarah) Hickey; Patrick (Selena) Hickey, Paul Hickey, Jonathan (Courtney) Hickey, Nicholas Bean and Olivia Bean; granddaughters, Casey (Nick) Cummings, Sara (David) Hicks, Stephanie (Michael Tucker) Hickey, Abigail (Jeffrey Hill) Hickey, and 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Bob (Frances) Bean of Knoxville; sisters-in-law, Mary Sue Still of Kingsport,  Ina Sue Watkins of Johnson City, Nancy Bailey Watkins of Chattanooga and a host of nieces and nephews.  

John attended Porter school in Blount County where he participated in drama, baseball and football during his high school years.  He attended Maryville College for 2 years and learned piano tuning and did some work for Lynn Sheeley in Knoxville.  Finished college at Tennessee Wesleyan in Athens where he was a member of the Religious Life Council and served the Student Ministerial Association as Reporter his Junior year and Vice President his senior year. He graduated with a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy.   After attending Garrett Seminary, he worked briefly for Bailey Music Company in Chattanooga before serving as pastor of the Asbury Circuit near Rockwood; pastor of Liberty Hill and Holston Chapel churches in Morristown and later in the Mooresburg Circuit with churches in Hawkins and Grainger counties.

Having done some piano turning for Lynn Sheeley Co. in Knoxville, John did some tuning for the store in Morristown while in this area. Realizing this was really his calling, John became a fulltime tuner for Lynn Sheeley in 1965 and continued working there after it became Carlisle’s Music and Music Doctors until it’s close in 2009.  

During that time, he continued using his college studies by teaching several adult Sunday School classes through the years.  He also served in various capacities at the church. 

Memorial services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Morristown Saturday, January 26, 2019.  Receiving of friends will be from 3:00 – 4:00pm prior to the service at 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or in the area your own interests lie.  

Allen Funeral Home in Morristown is in charge of arrangements. 

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