Jean Brown Porter Eberhardt, 70, of Lynchburg passed away Thursday, January 27, 2011 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.

Jean was born September 7, 1940 to George H. and Mary Virginia B. Porter, both deceased. She shared her life and love with D.E. "Don" Eberhardt for 27 years, and was his widow since 1987. She loved the Lord and worshipped Him for her entire life at Heritage United Methodist Church, and its predecessor church Memorial United Methodist Church. She served on every committee at various times and sang in the choir for over 35 years. She served the Methodist church at both the district level and annual conference level for many years. Jean's faith was the bedrock of her life.
Jean was a wordsmith. She loved reading, crosswords, word finds, word puzzles, and word games such a Scrabble. She was very organized, frugal, and disciplined in her life.

Jean was very intelligent and truthful. She invested herself fully in attempting to right things which she believed to be wrong. She could offend with her blunt honesty, yet always sought forgiveness for any offense delivered. She loved fully, and believed love without discipline was not love at all. A perceived "wrong" which was accepted was a "wrong" which was approved of, and this she would not do.

Jean loved Lynchburg. She retired from Lynchburg Department of Social Services in 2005 and enjoyed fervently assisting others in finding new work and new opportunities in life. She continued to serve on State Advisory Boards and various committees for local non-profits until her illness made it impossible to continue.

Jean loved her family immensely. She is survived by two brothers; Michael R. Porter and his wife Carol of Madison Heights, their children and grandchildren and William H. Porter and his wife Sheila of Boulder, CO and their children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her four children, Stephan Scott Eberhardt of Lynchburg, D. Whitney Eberhardt of Bowie, MD;, Lucy E. Breeden and her husband Russell (Rusty) of Rustburg, and James M. (Jim) Burd and his wife Carol of King George. Jean was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. As matron of the family she offered love, advice and support in all things and was a stable rock to lean upon for those she loved.

Jean loved Lynchburg/CVA Emmaus and fully participated in all of its activities and ministries. She also loved her many friends and co-workers.

In summary, Jean loved and lived her faith. She tried to leave the community a better place for having lived here. She was strong willed and soft hearted and ran her race well.

A celebration of Jean's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Heritage United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Fort Hill Memorial Park. A reception for family and friends will follow services at Heritage United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Heritage United Methodist Church and at other times at the residence.

The family request memorial contributions be made to the Heritage United Methodist Church Worship Committee.