Jean Robinson Loeb Services for Jean Robinson Loeb will be held Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 1:00 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Beth Israel Cemetery. Jean Robinson Loeb died Monday, August 2, 2010, at Riley Hospital. She was born in New York and moved to Meridian in 1945. She was a graduate of Swarthmore College and received a Masters Degree from Columbia University School of Journalism. She was employed as a rewrite editor by The New York Times. In 1944, she resigned that position to get married in San Francisco where Alex Loeb's ship was being repaired. In the early days of television in Meridian, she helped write and announce programs and commercials for her husband's business. These received national recognition for ways a "small store in a small town could effectively use the medium." Jean's family was artistic. Both of her parents were painters. And her father was a viola player in a string quartet. When the music required a piano, Jean would occasionally join them. As long as her health permitted she enjoyed playing and listening to classical music and singing with the Community Chorus. She was one of the staunchest and most enthusiastic supporters of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra attending every performance from its very first rehearsal. Her husband began painting at her encouragement. The two of them took classes and attended seminars all over the world. Both became professional painters. Jean had a very discriminating eye and frequently was asked to critique other painters' work including her husband's. Few of his paintings left his studio without her review. One of her most influential instructors was Homer Casteel of the Meridian Community College. He encouraged both Jean and Alex to join the Mississippi Art Colony. When that organization lost its meeting place, its membership dwindled to about a dozen, and it did not have sufficient funds to pay its bills. Jean was asked to help. Jean devoted many years, much time, a great deal of effort and her own funds to "The Colony". By the time she stepped down, it had been in a permanent home for 25 years . It had a regularly scheduled biannual meeting time. Its members and applicants came from many states. It had so many applicants that attendance had to be restricted. It had enough money to hire instructors from the country's finest art schools. And it could afford to offer scholarships to budding artists and to provide prizes for members' work. In appreciation of the family's contribution, a prize given at each workshop is called "THE GOLDEN LOEB AWARD". Jean was for many years an active member of Meridale Girl Scout Council, the Red Cross Board, the Matinee Musical Club and the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Israel. Survivors include her husband, Alex M. Loeb; daughter, Barbara Loeb Sevier; grandsons, Donald A. Sevier and his wife Leah, Robert B. Sevier; son-in-law, F. Vance Rightmire. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret. Family and friends may sign online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com. Visitation will be held Wednesday, 12:00-1:00 at the funeral home.
