Barbara Jean Conatser

Conatser, Barbara Jean , age 81, of Mt. Juliet, TN, died July 1, 2024. Jean was born in Detroit, Michigan and was the daughter of the late, W.T. Bates and Virginia Prentice Bates.

Jean had an extreme love for teaching children and creating art.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Mt. Juliet for 54 years and taught kindergarten and art for a couple years at Mt. Juliet Christian Academy. Beginning in 1981, Jean taught art for 20 years in her art studio and then in 1997, she became a professional photographer specializing in children’s portraits. She loved drawing, oil painting, writing poems, taking pictures, and most recently creating pottery.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her brother, Bill Bates.

She is survived by:

Husband of nearly 60 years – Elmer Conatser

Children – Lex (Amy) Conatser, Mark (Stephanie) Conatser and Patti Conatser

Brothers – Wayne Bates and Paul (Darlene) Bates

Grandchildren – Michael (Lauren), Ashley (Hunter), Rachel, B.J.(Melissa), Caleb, Emma, Chase, Matthew (Kendall) and Trent

Great-grandchildren – Levi, Easton, Wilson, Cole, Saylor, Hayes, James, Noah, Rhylee, Brianna, Emma and Kenneth

Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2024 at Bond Memorial Chapel with Bro. Billie Friel officiating. Interment will follow at Conatser Cemetery in Lebanon, TN.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Mt. Juliet at www.FBCMJ.org or to www.GiveABackpack.org , a Charity Giving Gifts to Foster Children.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Saturday and one hour prior to service time Sunday at Bond Memorial Chapel, 1098 Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN.     (615) 773-2663, www.bondmemorial.com