Alta Jean Sizemore

Alta Jean “Jeanie” Sizemore, age 78, went to be with Jesus on September 22, 2023 after a courageous battle with breast cancer.  

Born on May 27, 1945 to Foster and Hazel Sizemore, Jeanie spent most of her childhood in Indianapolis, Indiana and Ironton and Painesville, Ohio.  She went on to graduate from Lincoln Christian University and the University of Cincinnati and spent her career serving people through the Welfare Department, the Mental Health System and Ohio’s Developmental Disabilities System.  

She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her many hairstyles over the years, her musical talents, her passion for cats, but especially her love for the Lord.  She loved reading the Bible and having a personal devotion time and she used this knowledge to teach Bible Studies in the churches she attended.  Jeanie loved to play piano at church and sing in the choir, write letters of encouragement to prisoners, and share her faith in Jesus. Jeanie was always active in her local Christian Church, whether while living in Ohio or in Florida during her retirement years.  Attending Lake James School of Missions was frequently the highlight of her summer.

She loved visits with her grandchildren and enjoyed having the chance to see them grow and develop their individual skills, talents and interests.  She attended as many of their activities as she could: preschool concerts, art shows, band concerts, open houses, plays, baseball games and karate matches. She made a point to have a unique relationship with each child and recognized each one’s special talents and interests.  When she couldn’t be with them in person, she watched their activities via FaceTime.  She looked forward to having one-on-one dates with each child and prayed for her grandkids daily.

In her later years, she spent many hours reading, working puzzles, watching Ohio State football games, writing letters and visiting with friends. Jeanie was a lover of God’s creatures and took joy in feeding the birds, watching the squirrels and raising and loving cats over the years. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Foster and Hazel Sizemore, her husband David Mattan and brother Noel G. Sizemore.  Jean is survived by siblings Alva Lee (Dennis) Harley, Anna Rae (Clark) Kittle, and Jerry (Vilma) Sizemore.  She also leaves stepdaughter Debbie (Keith) Jacobs and stepson David Junior “Skip” (Debra) Mattan.  She is also survived by grandchildren Libby, Katie, Zach and Luke Jacobs and Alexis and Kendall Mattan as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Jeanie’s dearest friend was Jeanne Stuntz. Jeanne and her husband Wayne cared for Jeanie tirelessly over the past two years.  Wayne was both pastor and handyman while Jeanne was friend, caregiver, social worker, family counselor, nurse and constant companion.  Jeanie’s final months were pain-free and peaceful thanks to Jeanne Stuntz’s love and care for her dear friend and aid from Hospice of Cincinnati.

Donations in Jeanie’s memory may be made to La Costa Columbia at lacostamission.org