1 Corinthians 13:13
On May 6, 2021, Mary Kate Wellborn Jeanes, 92, affectionately known as Katie, Mama, Mom, Mama-Kate, Grandma, and GG, went home to be with the Lord.
Mrs. Jeanes was born in Lavonia, GA and raised her two children in Fort Valley and Macon, Georgia. She also lived in Miami, FL before moving to Port Saint Lucie in 1992. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Charles William Jeanes (Billy).
Mary is survived by her brother, Rance Wellborn of Georgia, two children, Pamela Kaiser and Charles William Jeanes, Jr., both of Port St. Lucie, four grandchildren: Laura Rose Dwyer (husband, Jay Dwyer), of North Carolina, Philip John Kaiser III, of Fort Lauderdale, Lila Annette Arledge (husband Jared Arledge), of Mississippi, and Jewell Katheryne Jeanes of Port St. Lucie; five great-grandchildren: Madisyn, Will, and Harper Dwyer, and Delilah and Owen Arledge; son-in-law, Richard Kaiser and daughter-in-law, Cynthia Jeanes.
Mary received a B.A. degree in Education and was awarded a music scholarship in Voice from Piedmont College of Demorest, GA in 1950. While in college, Mary worked at WKLY Radio Station in Hartwell, GA (1949-50) singing a variety of songs for a radio program on Sundays. She met her husband in college and married on November 3, 1950.
From 1950-1976, Mrs. Jeanes taught elementary education and gave private piano and voice lessons in Fort Valley and Macon, Georgia. During the turbulent 60s, Mrs. Jeanes and her husband, also a teacher, were very active in the civil rights movement, voluntarily integrating the faculties of formerly all black schools and striving to assist in achieving racial equality in Georgia schools.
In 1977 Mrs. Jeanes moved to Miami, FL, living in Parrot Jungle with her husband, who worked as Head of Security. While living in Parrot Jungle, Mary and her husband, Billy, raised baby primates in their home. Their primate experience was with orangutans, gibbons, and chimpanzees. Mrs. Jeanes had names for all of them and they became a part of her family. While in Miami, she also continued to teach school until Hurricane Andrew destroyed their home and they then moved to Port St. Lucie in August of 1992. Mary continued teaching in St. Lucie County, until she retired in 1998. She was a well-loved and dedicated teacher for forty-one years.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Port St. Lucie. Throughout her life Mary was very involved with her church home, singing in the choir, attending Bible Study groups, and sharing the Gospel with others. When she became homebound, she maintained a prayer ministry, daily praying by name for everyone on her extensive list. Additionally, Mary was a voracious reader, usually reading a book per week on her Kindle. She also became proficient on her I-Pad and loved viewing family and friends on Facebook. Everyone enjoyed reading her sweet comments on Facebook. Mary loved being surrounded by her family and friends and she looked forward to her daily phone conversations with her children, family, and friends.
Family members and friends will miss Mary’s encouragement and kind words. She showed us Jesus’ love through her daily walk with Him. Let us always remember her generous and loving spirit as we celebrate her life and rejoice in her homecoming.
A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, May 14, 2021 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM followed by a Celebration of Life at Family Church, 115 NE Solida Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. Mrs. Jeanes will be laid to rest at Fernhill Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum, 1501 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, FL 34994.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycockportstlucie.com for the Jeanes family.
