Mary Jane Chancellor

Mary Jane Chancellor - Mary Jane Chancellor was born in Augusta, Georgia on Dec. 3, 1956, the youngest of three daughters of John Taylor and Virginia Steele Ware Chancellor. She is predeceased by herparents and sister, Claire Brooks. She is survived by John William Graning of Hartford, CT, son; Natalie, Justin and Nick Graning, grandchildren; and sister Elizabeth Chancellor Sanzero of Albuquerque, NM. Mary Jane was named after her paternal grandmother, Mary Jane Dehaven Chancellor. She grew up taking piano lessons, riding bikes, and playing with all the neighborhood children. She was a talented student and her IQ of 140 made conventional school a boring place. She spent her high school years with her paternal aunt Nadine Gentes where she graduated from Normal High School, Normal, Illinois. She married and welcomed her beloved son John, who was the center of her life. They returned to Georgia where Mary Jane built a career in business, bought a house, and enjoyed a close relationship with Nana and Papa Chancellor. She was a collector who loved blue cobalt glass, antiques andmany beautiful things. She had an eye for treasures and decorated her house with innumerable gleanings. She was generous to a fault, and would give freely to anyone in need.She opened her home to help homeless, encouraged those who suffered, and regularly offered her guidance to anyonewilling tolisten. She took in a parade of stray animals over the years and adopted many of them, with Sugar her lap poodle and Boots and Mama Mia, her kitty cats, among her favorites. She always searched for ways to add value to others' lives, and contributed her resources freely. She made a point to lift others up in their daily lives with a happy comment or a silly joke, and she left smiles on the faces of the pharmacist, the grocery store clerk, or anyone who crossed her path. Like her mother, she loved growing things and became a certified master gardener. Her home was surrounded by pots and plants of every size and shape. Her spirit was indomitable despite many physical challenges, and her faith was strong. She was fiercely proud of her son John's accomplishmentsas a submariner and Senior Chief in the United States Navy. She was a model of forgiveness and unconditional love, revered by those who shared her life. She fought her illness bravely, but has joined her family in Heaven on December 29, 2015. A celebration of her life will beheldat 2:00p.m. onFriday, February 202015,First Baptist Church, Storey Chapel,3500 Walton Way Extension.