Funeral services will be held at 12:00 on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Jean G. Sauls, 81, of Columbia, who passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022. Interment will be at Darbun Community Cemetery in Darbun.  Pastor James Bell will officiate the services. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Hathorn Funeral Home.

Mrs. Sauls was a longtime resident of Columbia. A 1959 graduate of Lumberton High School where she was voted "Best All Around Girl," she was also a graduate of Mississippi College where she was named to the "Cap and Gown" women' s honor society and to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. She enjoyed a successful 35 year career as a public school elementary teacher, teaching in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Mississippi, retiring at East Marion Elementary School, Columbia.

Music played a huge role in Jean's life from her minor in music, to lifetime church ministry, performing regularly with her late husband, Bobby Sauls, and playing weekly with the Ford Boys. Earning the nickname "Jean Jean the Dancing Machine," from her square-dancing days, Jean went on to teach line dancing for Senior Citizens. Her influence of love and light and talent will be greatly missed by all those who came in contact with her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Bobby J. Sauls; her Aunt & Uncle, Lorene and Maxie Nelson who raised her and her twin; her Mother, Nellison Ellzey; Father, Earle Gallagher.

She is survived by her Daughter, Daphne Herbst (Ryan Rico); one Son, Jeffrey Evans; one Sister, June Hornsby (Benny); two Granddaughters, Presley Herbst (Andrew), Chloe Rico; two Great Grandchildren, Reider Herbst, Charlie June Morgan; one half Brother, Earle Gallagher, Jr. (Deni); one Half Sister, Theresa Cohen (Skip); one Nephew, Benjy Hornsby (Carrie); one Niece, Jena Agent; and four Great Nieces, Ashlyn Graham (Travis), Abby Agent, Ryanne Hornsby, Reagan Hornsby.

Pallbearers will be Benjy Hornsby, Travis Graham, Lance Ellzey, Justin Boyd, Jerry Broom, and Keith Riley.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to East Columbia Baptist Church.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com