Frances Marjean McKinney Smith Lear, a longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, died on Jan. 20 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. She was 81.

Jean, as she was known, was born to Rudolph and Lucile Howell of Gulf Hammock, Fla. in 1942. Throughout her school years she attended more than 10 schools because of the nature of her father’s profession. With each new move she acquired new school friends because of her pleasant and caring demeanor. They were personality traits that stayed with her through her entire life, enabling her to have long-lasting friendships with past schoolmates and Island friends.

In 1960, Jean married Kermit McKinney and went on to raise eight children — four boys and four girls. After Kermit’s death from ALS, Jean would later marry Scott Smith and care for him through his medical needs until his death.

In 2016, Jean married Ulysses J. Lear of School street in Oak Bluffs. Ulysses and Jean had many pleasant memories together such as listening to

music, watching the many types of birds that flew in to see them and attending Kingdom Hall meetings each week.

Jean was a woman of strong faith and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1969. She would often speak to others of the Bible’s promises

as to future blessings for the earth and its inhabitants.

She is survived by her husband Ulysses, her brothers Rudolph Howell and Barry Howell, and also her seven remaining children. Living on the Island are her son Charles McKinney and his wife April and daughter Emily. Off-Island are her sons Richard of Virginia, Michael of Virginia, Kermit of Utah and their families. Also off-Island are her daughters Cindy of Georgia, Sheila of Georgia, Cheryl of South Carolina and their families.

She is also survived by step daughter Pam Hodge of California, 23 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husbands Kermit McKinney and Scott Smith, and her daughter Jacqueline Bonnecarrie.

Jean’s memorial service will be held on Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall, 48 State Road in West Tisbury.