Jane Scruggs Fitz Randolph

Jane Randolph passed away on May 16, 2016 in Birmingham, AL. Jane was born on January 24, 1925, the only daughter of the late Lawrence Orr Scruggs and Ona Athon Scruggs. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Theodore “Ted” Fitz Randolph, III.

Jane is survived by her five children: Serena Randolph Smith (Paul) of Banner Elk, NC; Jane Randolph Peklenk (Steve) of Charlotte, NC; Theodore Fitz Randolph, IV (Diane) of Richmond, MA; Mary Randolph Hanson (Victor) of Birmingham, and Honorable James Fitz Randolph of Salisbury, NC.

Jane has eleven grandchildren: Douglas Smith (Margaret); Katharine Smith Spradling (Jason); Nathaniel Smith; Mary Chesnut Smith; Caroline Peklenk; Eleanor Randolph; Sophia Randolph; Thomas Randolph; Virginia Hanson Apple (Ben); Victor Hanson, IV (Linley); John Hanson (Clair). Her great-grandchildren are: Amelia Spradling, Wesley Spradling; Savannah Apple; Emma James Hanson, Fitz Hanson and Weaver Hanson. She is also survived by her beloved cousin Joe Scruggs (Ann) and sister-in-law Serena MacRae Crosby, and many nieces and nephews as well as dear friends.

Born in Birmingham, Jane graduated from Phillips High School and Birmingham Southern College. She obtained her Masters from Middlebury College and the Sorbonne, Paris.

Jane was an adventurous, fun-loving, smart and beautiful woman. She started her adult adventure after WWII as a French pilot’s wife. After Marcel Mougenot died in a flying accident, she regained her US citizenship and embarked on a career as a French teacher at the Brooke Hill School until 1975.

In 1952, Jane married Ted Randolph and began the adventure of parenthood. Jane adored her children, reveling in their lives and accomplishments. She inspired the love of tennis in her children, and in one day played 96 games with them in a Mountain Brook Club family tournament. One of Jane’s missions was to instill proper manners in her children, and their friends; she could even have given Miss Manners a few suggestions.

Her affections extended well beyond the family circle; she took a vital interest in her many friends. For decades, Jane met with her prayer buddies, a highlight of the week.

Jane’s greatest adventure was her spiritual one which started in 1972 when she invited Jesus into her heart. She had a hunger for God and was well-read in the Bible and theology. Jane was a faithful member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. She, along with Ted, was on the staff of the Episcopal Alabama Cursillo #1. Sharing their faith with great enthusiasm, they also participated in the Episcopal Lay Renewal. Deeply concerned for unborn children, Jane was involved in the pro-life movement and taught in middle-schools with S.A.F.E. (Sex and Family Education), an abstinence program.

Jane delighted to follow Ted wherever he led, whether it was to Linville, NC, to climb Grandfather Mountain or to the deserts of Israel for 2 years for his work. Always a student of languages, Jane studied Hebrew while there.

She was a member of the Mountain Brook Club, United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Gaieties’ Dance Club and the Cadmean Circle.

Following a private graveside service, a celebration of Jane’s life will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church Chapel at 2:00 pm, Friday, May 20. There will be visitation before the service at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243 or to All Saints Episcopal Church, PO Box 117, Linville, NC 28646.