Dr. Jane B. Kelly Shearer

Shearer, Dr. Jane B. Kelly ?age 90, of Knoxville, Tennessee, died on Tuesday, August 15, 2005. Preceded in death by: parents, Emerson W. Kelly and Dorcas L. Kelly of Wise, Virginia; loving husband, Ralph D. Shearer; and brother, Emerson W. Kelly, Jr. of Lake Jackson, Texas. Dr. Shearer received her Associate degree from Virginia Intermont College of Bristol, Virginia, Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Tennessee, and Ph.D. from Florida State University. While attending the University of Tennessee, Dr. Shearer met her future husband who was a faculty member in the Department of Geology. Upon her graduation from the University of Tennessee in 1940, they married and in 1942 began their family. After WWII and the return of Mr. Shearer from service overseas, she again enrolled at the University of Tennessee where she received her Masters Degree in 1950. In 1952, the family moved to Florida where she became a member of the faculty at Florida State University and simultaneously started working on her Ph.D. After receiving her doctorate she remained on the FSU faculty until 1967 when she accepted a position as the head of the Interior Design department at the University of Maryland. She remained in this position until her retirement in 1978. During Dr. Shearer?s career she held guest lectureships at a number of major universities and was well known in her field. She was both respected and loved by her many students. After retirement, Dr. Shearer returned to Knoxville and has lived here since 1991. Survivors include: son and daughter-in-law, John J. and Nancy K. Shearer of Knoxville, Tennessee; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara S. and Robert J. Craig of Rockville, Maryland; daughter and son-in-law, Ellen S. and Hans Mager of San Louis Obispo, California; half-sisters, Mary Elizabeth Minter of Chilhowie, Virginia, Rebecca Blanton of Bristol, Virginia, Martha Davenport of Irwin, Tennessee, Anna Ruth Orender of Florida; half-brother, John S. Kelly of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Friday, Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway. Family and friends will meet at West View Cemetery in Sweetwater, Tennessee, on Saturday for 1 PM interment services, Chaplain Phil Groos officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer?s Association, 2200 Sutherland Avenue, Suite H-102, Portland Building, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919.