Lou Jean "Jeannie" Taylor

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Celebrating the life of
Lou Jean "Jeannie" TaylorDecember 17, 1936 - October 16, 2010

Lou Jean Rose Taylor

Jeannie died October 16, 2010, surrounded by family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Her hospitality and creative spirit were evident in her relationships, her art, and her personal style.

Jeannie was born in McCook, Nebraska, on December 17, 1936, to Wilfred Jesse "Bud" Taylor and Anna Catherine Duda Taylor. She grew up in McCook, then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in high school, where she was active in choir and dramatic arts. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954 and married her high school sweetheart, Frank Shelledy. They lived together in Lincoln, Nebraska; Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; and Boulder, Colorado. Jeannie and Frank parented five children together, and she would have liked even more. When she was no longer able to have children of her own, she adopted one more, and she later took special-needs foster children into her home.
While in San Jose, Jeannie volunteered to provide food and transportation for families of migrant farm workers. Later, she was an advocate for special needs children and was active in Special Olympics. She was an artist, and had a lifelong interest in painting and visual arts.

In her early thirties, Jeannie became a single mother of five, including a severely handicapped daughter, to whom she was devoted. She worked hard to hold her family together and to support her children as a legal secretary in Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; St. Louis, Missouri; and Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah, Georgia. In the 1970s, she achieved a lifelong dream of having a family farm in North Georgia, with cattle, milk cows, pigs, chickens, and a large family garden that fed the family year round. After raising her family, she volunteered in the Peace Corps and lived and worked in Belize. She remained in Belize after her Peace Corps service ended and operated a primitive Bed & Breakfast in the Cayo District.

Jeannie moved to Savannah first in 1995, and again in 2005, to be with her oldest daughter while undergoing treatment for throat cancer, which she survived with great dignity. During her years here, she focused on artistic interests. Drawing on art classes from decades earlier in San Jose and at the University of Colorado, she was an accomplished China painter and later specialized in oil painting. She was an active member of the Savannah Artists' Guild, and some of her dearest friends were fellow artists in the Tuesday morning painting group.

Jeannie is survived by her daughters Debbie Crawford, Suzanne Shelledy, and Bonnie Taylor chihuaha of Savannah, Georgia, son David Shelledy and daughter-in-law Mary French of Davis, California, son Frank Shelledy and daughter-in-law Myra Tucker of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren Clay Crawford and granddaughter-in-law Natalie Crawford of Savannah, Georgia, Christopher Crawford of Savannah and Washington, D.C., Jack and Grace Shelledy of Davis, California, and Katherine Shelledy of Atlanta, Georgia; and great-grandsons William and Michael Kelly Crawford of Savannah, Georgia. Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred Jesse "Bud" Taylor and Anna Catherine Duda Taylor Zeiss, sister Carole Taylor Miller, daughter Diane Louise Shelledy, and son-in-law Clarence William "Chip" Crawford.

A memorial service for Jeannie Taylor will be held Monday, October 18, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. at Fox & Weeks Chapel, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah.

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Jeannie was like a ray of sunshine coming through the door. When she was joined by Bonnie there were two rays of sunshine to brighten the day of anyone they met. We miss her greatly.

- Dotty Armstrong, Savannah, GA

Dear Family, I can't tell you how sad I am about Jeannie, She had many friends but she was so special to me. I've never met anyone as kind, caring, thoughtful as she was. She was a friend like I've never known. Truly sad about a gifted person gone too soon. I really loved her and will miss her dearly and forever.

- helen weitz, Savannah, GA

Dear David, We are so sorry about your mom.She sure fought the good fight. You and Mary have had much to handle lately.Such a difficult time. Our best to you and your family. Larry & Linda

- Larry & Linda Dicke, Davis, CA

David and Family, We were all so saddened to hear of your loss of someone as dear as your Mother, Jeannie. I know I speak for our whole family when I say our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Heaven just got a little bit brighter. Celia French

- Celia French, Roseville, CA

Jeannie was a talented artist and a wonderful friend. She will be missed by her friends in the Savannah Artists Guild and the Generation One Painters.

- Joyce Weinzettel, Savannah, GA

We are very sad and we will really miss Jeannie. She was a creative and fun loving person with a great sense of humor. Jack and Grace shared her devotion to animals and she was 100 percent supportive of us. Our prayers and thoughts are with our family and her friends in Savannah. Mary, Jack and Grace Shelledy

- Mary, Jack and Grace Shelledy, Davis, CA

Jeannie's many friends in the art groups will miss her dearly. She was such a kind, caring person ---- one who always seemed to be able to blow away the storms of life and make the sun shine -- even on a rainy day.

- Sally Brown, Savannah, GA

Jeannie was a lovely friend and contributed her wit and talent to our Tuesday Painting Group at Generation One and The Savannah Artist Guild. She will be missed.

- Vicky Hennie, Savannah, GA

I had the pleasure of being one of Jeannie's friends at the Artist Guild and Generation One Artist Group. She was a talented artist and also dear friend. Always a smile and fun to be with. A treasure we will miss

- Geri Hendrix, Savannah, GA

To all of Jeannie's family, I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of visiting with Jeannie on her visits to California. She was a lovely lady. She was very easy to talk to and made you feel comfortable right away. She was a great person who was so proud of the family she raised so well. Our thoughts are with you. Nancy Wong and the Wong Family Sean, Riley, Alice

- Nancy Wong, Sacramento, CA

Heartbreaking to get the news about Jeannie.She was a special person,talented, friendly and wonderful member of the Savannah Artists guild.My sincerest sympathy to her family.We will truly miss her.

- Sarah Oetgen, savannah, GA

Your mother was a wonderful person, artist, and a lover of life. She spoke of her children often with great love. She will be greatly missed by many. May we all find great comfort in her being a part of our lives.

- Genie Ogden, Savannah, GA