Jean Marie Potter, 69, teacher, activist, and radio personality of Atlanta rejoined our cosmic universe on Monday, October 3, 2022. She is looking forward to another amazing adventure. Jean began this life’s chapter on September 2, 1953, on Long Island NY, and enjoyed it immensely. Jean was a trendsetter. She was immersed in the local music scene, working at radio
stations WRAS and WRFG in Atlanta, and attending concerts at Rose’s Cantina, which later became the premier alternative music venue, 688. She met Iggy Pop during one of his stints there and while sitting at the bar, she and a friend asked for his sock, which he obligingly gave to them. She misses her dear friends Ken Berg and David Barge from those times. Their favorite song by Barnes & Barnes – “Fish heads fish heads, Roly poly fish heads, Fish heads fish heads, Eat them up yum.”
Jean performed groundbreaking work as one of the first female DSL installers at Bell South, climbing telephone poles and crawling underfloor spaces. Her nickname “Mean Jeanne” was a tribute to her strength and audacity.
Jean was a student, teacher, and mentor to many. She was dedicated to diversity, creating
a curriculum for multicultural students at Kennesaw State. She also worked for Cobb County Schools in adult education and taught English as a second language. Jean is remembered by colleagues as a “genuine academe gem.”
Jean was preceded in spirit by her loving parents Muriel Jean Potter and James A. Potter. She leaves behind her loving family, brother Rich Potter and his wife Beth; brother Jim Potter and his wife Miranda; and her brother Ken. She also leaves her nephews Jim Potter and Richie Potter; and nieces Alexandra Potter and Lauren Clark along with her grand-nephew Weston Kennedy. She fondly leaves behind her dear Uncle Richard Rodman of Manchester, NH, his wife Anne, and their three children. Jeanne leaves her loving cats to friends and family who will care for them as she did.
As a closure to this obituary, Jean asked that two songs be included – “Willin’” by Lowell George, performed by Little Feat from the album, Sailin’ Shoes; and “One Hell of a Life”, performed by Katell Keineg from the album, Jet. The lyrics speak for themselves.
If you wish to honor her memory in lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite cat or dog rescue organization. If you do not have a favorite, please donate to Cat Rangers in Buford Georgia, at www.catrangers.org.