Obituaries

Jean Afton

Jean Florence Borgstrom Afton, 92, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, April 27, 2014. She was born in Chicago, Ill., July 14, 1921 to Guy and Leola Borgstrom. Jean married Robert "Bob" Afton Sr. on Oct. 31, 1943 in Roswell, N.M. where he was stationed. She would always relate that it may have been trick and/or treat night but their honeymoon night was spent with Dad having to return to base for his weekend pass had been rescinded and she spending the evening darning socks with her Mother who had accompanied her on the train from Chicago to Roswell for their ceremony. She attended DeKalb Teacher's College (later renamed Northern Illinois University), DeKalb, Ill. The Afton family moved to Chattanooga in 1975 and she became active in the Kiwanis Ladies Auxiliary, Cosmos Club, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Guild and the Duplicate Bridge Center. Even though she was born a Midwest Yankee, she developed an early interest in the U.S. Civil War from relatives stories and passed-down letters. She was an unofficial tour guide for The Battle of Chattanooga when visits from out-of-town friends included Confederama, Point Park, and Chickamauga National Park. She was a lifelong lover and defender of animal causes with many cats and dogs sharing in her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; one brother and two sisters, Bill, Evelyn and Marion. Survivors include her sons, Bob, of West Palm Beach, Fla. and Rick (Mary) of Chattanooga; one grandson, Robert; and two granddaughters, Alexa and Alanna, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. as well as several nieces and nephews. The interment will be among several generations of family members in Forest Park, Ill. at Concordia Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pet Placement Center, 5975 Dayton, Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37415. Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home 7454 East Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421, and Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home 7319 Madison St, Forest Park, IL 60130.

Published May 4, 2014

Upcoming Events