Jean Carol Roach

Jean Carol (Davidson) Roach, 78, passed away suddenly of natural causes Sunday, May 3, 2026. Jean was born on January 16, 1948, to the late Earl C. and Nell F. (Sykes) Davidson at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Jean grew up in Rosewood Heights, Illinois. She was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated from Roxana High School in 1966. Many of her classmates (including the “66 Girls”) became lifelong friends. Jean attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE), graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the Education Division in 1970. She was hired by the Alton School District as a primary school teacher and spent the next 36 years doing something she loved. Jean’s warmth and fantastic sense of humor made her a perfect fit for teaching “little people.” She was often approached by her former students to reminisce about their time spent together in first grade and were so touched by the fact that she too remembered them—recalling small personal details about their time spent together decades before. In 1994, Jean went back to SIUE and graduated with a Master of Science in Education, and further achieved a Master’s Plus 30. Though Jean loved her role as a teacher, her life truly revolved around her 2 children—Derek, born in 1974, and Kristin, born in 1977. She gave her children everything she had—love, time, guidance, patience and fortitude…as well as the BEST Halloween costumes EVER. Jean retired in 2006. Visiting and spending time with her 3 grandchildren brought her much happiness. While trips to Spain, Alaska, and throughout the country brought her new joys, she also deeply appreciated spending time with her many friends, whom she considered family. Jean’s humor, intelligence and warmth will be missed by colleagues, friends, and family. Jean is survived by her son, Derek A. Roach (Sara); her daughter, Kristin E. Moran (Rich); her grandchildren Jules, Sabrina, and Alexander Roach; 2 sisters-in-law (Judy and Carol); 5 nephews and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Craig V. Davidson. No services are scheduled. Please send your thoughts and prayers to all those Jean left behind, and please celebrate her memory with lots of laughter, love, and, of course, hors d’oeuvres. Gent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Jean Carol Roach

January 16, 1948 - May 4, 2026