Jean (Whitfield) Rouse

Jean Whitfield Rouse passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home Wednesday, August 27, 2025 surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. Born in Lenoir County to the late Davis DeLeon Whitfield and Sybil Haynes Whitfield on May 22, 1935, she was a lifelong resident of Moss Hill and faithful member of Holy Innocents Episcopal church. Jean graduated from Moss Hill High School in 1953 and studied business at East Carolina Teachers College. She married her childhood sweetheart James Albert Rouse, Jr. in 1956 and celebrated 63 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2018.

Traveling back and forth to DuPont for over 38 years together, Jean and James Albert instilled an unparalleled work ethic in their children, Jay and Wendy. Jean grew up working in tobacco on her family farm and shared countless stories throughout her life about working with her younger brothers Robert and Davis “Bit.” She froze and canned vegetables grown in their garden her entire life and was seen cutting grass all hours of the night on up into her 80’s. 

Jean’s greatest joy came in her later years with the arrival of her three granddaughters. Nothing made her happier than taking them and their friends for golf cart rides down the bumpy path or singing and dancing with them to blaring Tom Jones tunes. Many an hour was spent playing chauffeur to and from school, dance, and any other opportunity she could get to catch a glimpse of her little pride and joys. Though she only had three grandchildren, Jean was “Grandma Jean” to countless friends, teachers, coaches, and classmates as she never missed a school function, dance recital, basketball game, soccer game, or field hockey match no matter how far the travel. 

Sports was always a large part of Jean’s life . She played basketball at Moss Hill in high school and kept the books for James Albert’s Little League team in the early years. Jean never missed an opportunity to snap a picture and cheer on Jay, Wendy, her Granddaughters, and other friends and family. If she wasn’t on a ball field supporting one of them, she could be found in front of the television cheering on her beloved TARHEELS.

Her family, friends, church, and community meant the world to Jean. Whether it was picking up chicken plates or gathering items for the church pancake supper, she was always there to lend a helping hand and support her beloved Moss Hill community. The holidays were an extra special time for Jean. She started before Thanksgiving writing hundreds of Christmas cards and rolling out her famous cheese cookies. Many have tried to emulate them, but no one has quite been able to duplicate them; as her cheese cookies just had a little something special. Maybe it was her infectious smile and the laughs shared during the visit that came with the delivery that made hers so special. In either case, everyone wanted to be on her coveted list and looked forward to receiving them each year.

Jean’s infectious smile and love for life was truly a joy to behold. To be around her was to have fun and to be happy. For this reason, people simply enjoyed spending time with her. Her love for her family, church, and community was like no other. Jean truly loved calling Moss Hill home and will certainly be missed by all. 

Left to cherish her memory are her son, James Albert “Jay” Rouse III; daughter, Wendy Rouse Singleton and husband, Anthony Singleton; and three granddaughters, Jessica Abigail “Abbey” Rouse, Sommer Leigh Holmes, and Brooke Whitfield Holmes; sister-in-law, Mary Grady Whitfield; and numerous special nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In addition to her husband and parents, Jean was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Hanes Whitfield; brother, Davis DeLeon “Bit” Whitfield, daughter-in-law, Sandee Hall Rouse; and sister-in-law, Margaret Turner Whitfield.

The family is deeply grateful and gives thanks to the caregivers who surrounded Jean with love and dedicated care throughout the past few years.

A service to celebrate the life of Jean Whitfield Rouse will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church with a burial to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Kinston, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, 6861 Hwy 55 West, Seven Springs, N.C. 28578.