Jean Strain

Jean Allison (Barry) Strain, 78, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away last Wednesday morning peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family. 

Born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 13, 1948, Jean spent her childhood in Portsmouth, Virginia. After graduating from Mary Baldwin College and marrying the love of her life, Daniel T. Strain Jr., in 1970, she made Dalton her home, where she and Dan built a life together centered on faith, family, and service. 

Jean had a gift for nurturing others. As a ballet teacher, she inspired generations of young dancers at the Creative Arts Guild with grace, discipline, and confidence. She also faithfully served as the Director of Christian Education at ChristChurch Presbyterian and at First Presbyterian Church, where she shared her deep faith and love for children, helping guide innumerable young people in their spiritual journeys. Her compassion, patience, and servant’s heart left a lasting impression on all who knew her. In her later career she worked as a grief counselor, helping countless people across North Georgia in their personal journeys through pain and loss. 

Jean is survived by Dan, her devoted husband of more than 55 years; her son, Christopher Barry Strain; her daughter-in-law, Melanie Haskell Strain; her cherished granddaughter, Lilli Strain; her brother, Edgar S. Barry, Jr.; and her nephew Troy Barry. 

Jean will be remembered for her unwavering faith, poise, and the quiet strength with which she lived her life. Whether in the dance studio, at church, or at home with those she loved, she offered kindness, encouragement, and grace. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched through her teaching, her ministry, and her enduring love for her family. 

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Dalton, with arrangements to be announced by the family.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the children’s ministry at First Presbyterian Church or to the Creative Arts Guild to honor Jean’s lifelong dedication to nurturing young hearts and minds.