Jeanne Henson Taylor, 82, of Franklin NC, and formerly of Raleigh, NC passed away Sunday, January 6, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Andrew Henson and Elizabeth Keyes Henson. Born in Virginia, she lived a majority of her life in Raleigh, NC, with her late husband, James Franklin Taylor ("Buddy"), Doctor of Physiology with the USDA Forest Service, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh, NC, and was the proud mother of their beloved son, James Henson Taylor. "Buddy", the "Love of Her Life", "Soulmate", and Jamie's father passed away in 1977. The remainder of her entire life after Jamie's father's death was solely devoted to her son. A "Straight A" graduate of Franklin High School and Western Carolina University, she was a Double Major in English. While somewhat shy and reserved, she was liked by all of her classmates, and was voted "Most Beautiful Girl" in the senior class of 1954 at Franklin High School! Jeanne was a beautiful person, both inwardly, and outwardly, and loved all of nature, all music genres, and adored all animals.

She began her career as an administrative assistant for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NC, later serving as an administrative assistant to Dr. William Friday, President of the University of North Carolina, and founder of UNC-TV on PBS. She advanced to administrative assistant to North Carolina Governor Dan Moore, followed by serving as administrative assistant for the Research Triangle Institute in Raleigh, NC. She retired afterwards, and devoted the remainder of her life to their son. She was a proud, loving mother who led by example, and is the reason their son carries the same qualities today. She is also survived by her sisters, Ronda Bingham (Kenneth), and Sandra Henson Davis, niece Janet Davis Sutton, and nephew, James Robert Graham, all of Franklin, NC.

A "Celebration of Life" Memorial will be held on Tuesday, January 22, at 2:00 pm, at the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. The family will receive friends there on Monday, January 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com. The Rev. Ralph Campbell, Chaplin of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, and The Eckerd Living Center of Highlands, will officiate. Memorials may be made to Appalachian Animal Rescue or the Macon County Humane Society/Animal Control, of Franklin, NC.