Jeanette Urban

Our beloved Mother, Mary Jeanette Taylor Urban, was born in 1915 in Polytechnic, Texas, later a suburb of Fort Worth. Services for Mrs. Urban will be Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Lukenbach officiating. A private burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orbison McDonald Taylor and Mary Eliza Easton Taylor of Tyler; and her sisters Clara Easton Taylor of Tyler, Marjorie Taylor Ingram and Charlie Mae Taylor of Fort Worth. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Henry Quinn Urban, Jr. of Tyler, her childhood neighbor and High School sweetheart. They were married in Houston in 1972, returning to Tyler to live. She was preceded in death by her first husband, J. A. Schlueter, of Plano, Texas; and her second husband, George Robert Russell Shannon of Fort Worth. Jeanette, a 1932 graduate of Tyler High, was a member of the Alcalde Staff, Arthur’s Round Table, and was elected the first female cheerleader at John Tyler, helping to pave the way for women to try new roles. She graduated from Tyler Commercial College in 1933. In 1986 at age 71, she graduated Cum Laude from Tyler Junior College, earning an Associate in Arts Degree. An outstanding student, she took several courses with her children and grandchildren. She was praised by her professors for her knowledge, contributions to the classes, serving as a mentor to younger students. This love for learning was passed on to her family. She taught by example, in a family tradition handed down through the generations. Jeanette would say that her most important job in her life was caring for her Mother and sisters, and raising her children. She instilled in each of them the idea that they were truly unique and capable of accomplishing anything to which they applied their efforts. She saw the best in others, and was a well-loved friend to many people of all ages. Her grandchildren can recall many stories of the trips they took together to explore Houston, and the Gulf Coast. Many Saturdays would find her with four grandchildren at the time in her little Volkswagen, going fishing, and shelling. Her culinary skills are legendary, and no family occasion was complete without her delicious creations. She is survived by her beloved sister, Stella Pearl Taylor Blocker of Tyler, whose love and support sustained her through her last years. She is also survived by her children: Mary Claire Rowe and husband Gilbert Edwin Rowe of Tyler; John Alfred Shannon of Arizona; George Russell Shannon of Prairie Village, Kansas; David Taylor Shannon and wife, Dr. Mary Susan Moran of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren: Gilbert Russell Rowe of Fort Worth; Robert Marcus Rowe and wife Sheryl Lehms Rowe of Lebanon, Tennessee; Kimberly Michele Shannon of Houston; Tina Shannon Mahoney and husband Ron Mahoney of Hockley; George Hudnall Shannon of Tyler and Alpine; and Sarah Jade Shannon of Tucson, Arizona; and four great grand children: Eric Mahoney of Hockley, Gilbert David Perry Rowe of Fort Worth, Emily Ann Rowe, and Kathryn Taylor Rowe of Lebanon, Tennessee; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jeanette was a member of DAR, Symphony League, Woman’s Forum, Christ Episcopal Church, and took an active role in her community. For more information or to express condolences visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Jeanette Urban

July 27, 1915 - December 8, 2009