of Memphis, TN

July 2, 1923 - August 26, 2014

THELMA JEAN WISE SPRINGFIELD passed away on August 26, 2014, in Memphis, Tennessee.
She was born on July 2, 1923, in Wichita, Kansas, the child of Harberd Stephen Wise and Lois Minerva
Edmundson Wise. Her paternal grandparents, Hager and Caroline Wise, were pioneers of Kansas, a fact
of which she was very proud. Jean grew up in Wichita, attending elementary and high school there.
Jean's college career was spent at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, from which she
graduated in 1945 with a degree in Archituectural Engineering. During her time at Kansas State she
was involved in numerous activities and organizations. Her sorority was Chi Omega, as was her
mother's. She belonged to the American Institute of Architects, serving as secretary and president of
the college chapter. For two years she was a cheerleader for the K State Wildcats. She served on the
Panhellenic Council and was vice-president of the senior class. One of Jean's proudest
accomplishments in college was that she was the first woman editor of the K-State Engineer, the
engineering magazine.
After graduating from college, Jean worked as an architect for a year in Kansas City, but had to return
to Wichita to manage her ailing father's business.
On December 28, 1946, Jean and Dan R. Springfield, Jr. were married in Wichita. Dan had been
stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, during WW II, and they met while Jean was in Manhattan. Dan was a
farmer from Arkansas, so Jean left Kansas and moved to Crawfordsville, Arkansas. After Dan's death
in 1971, Jean continued the farming operation. She did this for many years, finally retiring in her late
70's. Even though she was busy with the farm, she found time for several hobbies and activities,
including gardening, bridge playing, and going on sailing trips with all of her family. She was also a
long time member of the Robert Crittenden Chapter of the DAR where she served several years as
DAR regent.
In 2003 she moved to Kirby Pines Retirement Community in Memphis. One of her favorite activities
there was playing in several bridge groups.
Predeceasing Jean was her only brother, Bob Wise, who died in 2013. Her survivors are her children:
Carolyn Springfield-Harvey, Stephanie (Frank) Chalona, Dan Springfield III (Kathy), and Diana
Springfield; grandchildren: Andrew Chalona, Katie Springfield, Sissy Springfield; and her great
grandchild, Tate Chalona.
Visitation will be Friday, August 29, from 5-7 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Memphis,
Arkansas, and funeral services will be Saturday, August 30, at 11 a.m. at the Methodist Church in
Crawfordsville, Arkansas.
Any memorials may be sent to the Parkinson's Disease Endowed Research Fund at Vanderbilt, Chris
Collins, Development and Alumni Relations, 2525 West End Ave. #450, Nashville, TN 37203; Kansas
State University; or the charity of the donor's choice.

Sign Guestbook

1 Condolence(s)