Jean Sommerkamp Homegoing

Jean Sommerkamp went home to be with her Lord December 25, 2011 at the age of 79.  She is survived by her husband Theo, children Bradley (his wife Chris), Karl (his wife Lyuda), and Julie Pence (her husband Frank), and grandchildren Kimberly, Clayton (his wife Jennifer), Garrett, and Samantha.  Her parents William and Edith Childers and her siblings Charles, Bill, and Wanda Mae preceded her in death.

She met Theo Sommerkamp at Oklahoma Baptist University and married him in 1951.  Theo describes himself as a “missionary journalist.”  He served from 1976 to 1994 as the editor of the Ohio Baptist Messenger the publication of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.  Jean assisted Theo as a volunteer proofreader and researcher.  Moreover, she gave herself to prayer support for Theo and the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.  As a member of the Walnut Heights Baptist Church in Columbus, she served faithfully as a nursery worker.

Jean’s family described her as “a Christ-loving mother, wife, and daughter who wanted everyone to be pointed to Christ.”  They added, “Jean’s love for Christ radiated through her in her love for all people, and she was a mother and friend to all whom she met.”

Rather than a public funeral, her family chose to have a closed home prayer meeting.  Should her friends so desire, they requested contributions be given in her memory to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.  For those who wish to send statements of love and condolences, they requested those be sent through the Ohio Cremation and Memorial Society: 5464 High Street in Columbus, OH 43214-1128.