Mary “Jan” Simms Eldridge, 62 years, old of Fayetteville, Ga., joined the saints of her family on January 16, 2018, in Atlanta, Ga., succumbing to cancer related respiratory failure. She was surrounded by her sons, daughter-in-law, and husband.
Jan was born on September 30, 1955, to Lester and Faye (Moore) Simms, in Fayetteville, Tenn. Jan was married to James G. Eldridge, of West Warwick, R.I., in Atlanta, Ga., on January 22, 1983. Their thirty-five year relationship originated out of their mutual professions as federal officers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Jan initially attended Mississippi College for Women on scholarship, completing her under graduate degree at Memphis University. Jan began her employment in Atlanta, Ga. in 1980, as an immigration officer with U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, rising to the position of Assistant Port Director. With the reorganization of federal service after 09/11, Jan served under Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as a Supervisory Mission Support Manager, rising to the rank of Deputy Assistant Director Mission Support. She was responsible for many of the federal infrastructure improvement of CBP facilities in major ports of entry up and down the Southeast such as Norfolk, Charleston, Charlotte, Atlanta and Savannah. She was an accomplished musician servicing as a backup organist for many years at her local church.
Jan is survived by her husband, James Eldridge, Fayetteville, Ga.; son Benjamin Eldridge and wife Dr. Elizabeth Dehaven West Eldridge, of Gear, S. C., and son Samuel Eldridge, of Fayetteville, Ga.
Jan was preceded in death by her father, Lester Simms, and mother, Faye (Moore) Simms, of Fayetteville, Tenn. There will a memorial service officiated by Rev. Doctor Alex Moses on February 10, 2018, at 10 a.m., located at Fayette Presbyterian Church, 791 Forrest Avenue, Phone 770-461-7147 (www.fayettepcusa.org). Interment will be in the family site at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Fayetteville, Tenn., at a date to be determined.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to Matthew 28, (www.matthew28.org) (Donation checks can also be mailed to our treasurer at 222 Vega Rd. Meansville, Ga. 30256).
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
