Funeral services for long-time Northeast Georgia legislator and municipal leader Jeanette Jamieson are scheduled for this Friday, April 28. Jamieson passed away at her home in Toccoa Tuesday evening, April 25. She was 81.
Jamieson was a fixture on Northeast Georgia’s political landscape. She served six years as a Stephens County Commissioner before being elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1984. She served as an elected member of the Georgia House of Representatives for 24 years (1984-2008), breaking barriers for women along the way.
During her time in the legislature, Jamieson became the first woman to chair a major committee and was the first woman in Georgia history to serve as the Governor’s Floor Leader. She received the President’s Award for Innovative Government from President George W. Bush for her role in Rural Development.
A tax accountant by trade, Jamieson was defeated in her 2008 re-election bid amid disclosures she had tax problems. In 2011, Jamieson pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor tax evasion. The long-serving Democrat maintained the case was political, and she returned to public service in 2013, winning a seat on the Toccoa City Commission.
Jamieson served as Toccoa’s mayor and was still a sitting commission member at the time of her death.
In addition to her many other public service contributions, Jamieson served on several boards, including the Stephens County Soil & Water Conversation District, Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter, and Resource Conservation & Development.
Online tributes
As news of her death spread through the community, people began posting online tributes to the late lawmaker.
Leslie George of Jefferson wrote, “Jeanette was a powerhouse! I had an opportunity to learn about government and politics while riding her coattails. Traveling with her was a hoot, and I treasure those memories. What a loss.”
“A life well lived,” said Toccoa resident Phillip Bowen. “Jeanette always made me smile when talking with her. Toccoa will truly miss our friend and leader.”
“Jeanette was a great friend to many. She was a force to be reckoned with! Her leadership and contributions to Toccoa and Stephens County were huge,” said Connie Tabor of Toccoa. “Her legacy will live on for future years. She cared about the community, and it showed.”
Carson Milligan from Westminster, South Carolina, wrote, “Jeanette was a one-of-a-kind person who always made you feel like we are all in this together.”
Funeral arrangements
Jamieson is survived by her two daughters, Renee Jamieson Bender and Michelle Jamieson, and a son, Charles “Clay” Jamieson, all of Toccoa. In addition, she leaves behind two sisters, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Whitlock Mortuary in Toccoa from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 28, prior to the funeral at 4 p.m. The funeral home is located at 120 Rose Lane.
In a tribute to Jamieson’s many years spent serving her community, Toccoa police officers, Stephens County sheriff’s deputies, and Toccoa Fire Department personnel will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the following charities: Neighbors4Neighbors at St. Mathias Episcopal Church, 935 E. Tugalo Street, Toccoa, GA 30577; Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter, P. O. Box 2182, Toccoa, GA 30577; or Open Arms Clinic, 109 Big A Road, Toccoa, GA 30577.
