Amelia Jean Nelson Logan Shearer

Warren Holloway Ward

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Posted by: Warren Holloway Ward FH
[email protected]
3346849999
Date: Jun 07 2018 11:52 AM

On Monday, June 4, Amelia Jean Nelson Logan Shearer passed peacefully at home in Samson, Alabama, with her sons and beloved furbabies, Kojak and Magnus, at her side. To the end, she wore her colorful, flamboyant caftans, talked politics, played “Jeopardy” along with the contestants on television, and longed for the start of Auburn’s football season.

Jean was the only child of Gladys Mildred Archer Parker and Herman Lamar Nelson, both of whom preceded her in death. She always dreamed of having a large family and was blessed with 2 strong-willed, independent daughters, Gladys Elizabeth “Lisa” Logan Rich (James) and Delores Amelia “Amy” Logan, and 3 sons, John Benjamin Logan III, Herman Nelson Logan and Staples Scott Shearer who give the phrase “Mama’s boys” new meaning. Sadly, Scott survived only a few weeks and Amy was taken from all of us in an accident in 2014.

According to her (and one of her favorite literary characters, Aurora Greenway), she wasn’t old enough to be a grandmother, so her eldest grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Rich Dotson (David), Edward Logan Rich and Mallory Katherine Rich, simply called her “Jean.” By the time her twin grandchildren, Olivia Grace and William Nelson Logan, arrived twenty years later, she enthusiastically embraced being affectionately known as “Mimi.”

It is impossible to confine such infinite and eternal qualities as the beauty, joy and fun-loving spirit that Jean embodied and exuded to the 2 dimensions of a sheet of paper.  She epitomized grace and dignity.

“Miss Jean,” as she was known by many loved ones, was born on April 20, 1939, in the front bedroom of her grandparents’ home on North Ripley Street in Samson, Alabama; and, like the circumstances of her birth, there was nothing ordinary about her life. In fact, she was quite extraordinary and won awards for and stole hearts with her near-genius intellect, astounding beauty and unfailing compassion for others.

Like her mother before her, she became a teacher and dedicated her life to that endeavor.  Whether behind the podium, having a “sit down” with one of her children or grandchildren, or counseling a client or friend, Jean proffered her quiet wisdom to all who knew her; it will live on through them all.  Fittingly, the topic of her Master’s thesis was John Keats’s “Endymion,” and the lines ring true of Jean, her life and legacy.  “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.  Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.”

The family will hold a private memorial service at a later time.  In lieu of flowers, they ask that contributions be given in her memory to the Hospice and Home Health Fund of Alabama, ASPCA, or Samson United Methodist Men’s Ministry.

 

Warren~Holloway~Ward Funeral Home (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements. "Continuing The Trust You’ve Placed In Us” To sign a guest register, please visit: www.whwfuneralhome.com

 

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