Laura Jean Calhoun Ellis John Jeffers, of Sapphire, NC, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on June 01, 2023, at the age of 86. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois on February 26, 1937 to parents Richard Adams Calhoun (1911-1991) and Mary Wagner Calhoun (1915-1994) both of Deltona, FL.

Laura grew up in Park Ridge, IL, moving to her new hometown of Miami, FL as a young teenager. For the first eight hours of the cross-country move, she cried at the thought of missing her friends and first boyfriend, Sonny Nelson. Graduating from Edison Senior High School in 1955, Laura was a cheerleader and friend to all. One night, after a rival football game, she joined the then-unknown Burt Reynolds on a date to the A&W Drive-In. She also attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, preferring to sketch portraits of her teachers and classmates over taking notes, which became her life's passion. Making an indelible mark on the world, Laura's time at the easel spanned over 60 years.

Her interest in painting began in the mid-1950s, but was secondary at the time to the raising of five children, her pride and joy. In 1979, Laura began a lifelong career as a renowned fine artist, crossing genres such as portraiture, landscapes, and figures – concluding with abstracts and skies over the last decade. Each period of Laura's subject matter reflected the unique chapters of her life. Her style was colorful, impressionist, expressionist and whimsical, with unexpected light and vibrance, just like Laura. "Her paintings of skies and clouds welcome you with open arms – a warm glow of her love coming off of the canvas and straight into any worries you might have – washing them away," says her daughter, Jodi.

Laura's art career reached its peak after 1993 with the marriage to her longtime friend, Earl "Jeff" Jeffers, a professional educator and talented woodworker, who inspired her and bolstered her art business. Together, by hand, they built a home and studio in the North Carolina mountains. It was then that Laura began painting every day, creating a prolific body of work. Not everyone leaves behind a tangible legacy, as Laura has. Totaling close to a thousand paintings, her art lives on in the homes of clients, family and friends all over the country.

Her talents were recognized by countless awards such as the Highlands Art League's People's Choice Award 1996, 1999, 2006, 2007 and in newspaper and magazine features. One of her favorite figurative paintings was chosen for the cover of a 2006 edition of The Laurel of Asheville magazine. Some of Laura's collection can be viewed in the book Impressionist – L. John, by Earl W. Jeffers, Ph.D. – a labor of love that he recently created with Laura to capture her artistic legacy in perpetuity. Laura was happiest when painting, playing the piano, and spending time with the people she loved. She often said, "I couldn't ask for anything more in life."

Laura's personality was one of her greatest strengths. Those who spent time with her appreciated her sense of humor and exuberant smile. Not only did she focus her artistic energies inside of her studio, but she also spent many years teaching art to the elderly throughout Florida and North Carolina, even going so far as dressing as a clown to motivate her students. She was kind and generous, with a loving heart and a teenage spirit.

She had many close family members, friends, and nicknames. "Laura Jean", "Laura Jeanie Kabeenie", "Mamma Jamma", "Grammy", "Grammy Tawammy, Tialigo Flammy, Tee Legged, Toe Legged, Bow Legged Grammy", and "Dear." When recalling a lifetime of fun with Laura, some of the stories that rise to the top revolve around the many practical jokes she performed with her brother, Tom, and other coerced family members. Highlights of these jokes include public fountains, a mannequin hand ("The Hand"), shuffling of storefront marquee letters, swapping yard art in an RV park, fake newspaper headlines and the notorious "Girdle Stretcher." There was never a dull moment with Laura Jean!

Laura is survived by her husband of 30 years, Earl Wayne Jeffers, Ph.D., of Sapphire, NC; three of her five children, Scott Ashley Ellis and wife Sue of Winter Park, FL; Gary Michael Ellis of Orlando, FL; Jodi John Pippin and husband Chuck of Asheville, NC; her brother, Thomas Barry Calhoun of Conroe, TX; her sister-in-law Patricia Glass Calhoun of Naples, FL; her daughter-in-law Maria Ellis of Longwood, FL; her son-in-law Mark Naretti of Long Island City, NY; her children by marriage, Wesley Jeffers and wife Lisa of Panama City Beach, FL; Jacqueline Jeffers Phillips and husband Steve of Conroe, TX; Libby Jeffers Fennewald and husband Joe of St. Louis, MO; her former husband Peyton Brian Ellis and wife Jeanne of Orlando, FL, as well many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved very much.

Left to cherish her memory and forever emulate the lively spirit of their "Grammy" are her grandchildren, Erin Ashley Ellis of Arcata, CA; Crystal Johnson of Orlando, FL; Alec Ellis of New York, NY; Gina Catherine Ellis of Miami, FL; Sophie John Pippin of Brevard, NC; Oliver Glenn Pippin of Asheville, NC; and Veda Marie Pippin of Chicago, IL; her grandchildren by marriage, Anthony Medina of Oak Run, CA; Taylor Grande of Conroe, TX; Jordan Lewis of Conroe, TX; Adam Fennewald of St Louis, MO; and Michael Fennewald of St. Louis, MO.

Laura is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Dick Calhoun of Woodstock, GA; her former husband Paul Robin John of Sarasota, FL; her son, Daniel Brian Ellis of Orlando, FL; her daughter, Lynn Ellis Naretti of Long Island City, NY; her cousin Gary Dorn of West Dundee, IL; her mother-in-law Lucille Jeffers of Sullivan, IL; and brother-in-law, Dale Jeffers of Arlington, TX.
Her family would like to thank all who loved and cared for Laura; family, friends, and neighbors, leaders and congregants of Cashiers United Methodist Church, nurses, doctors, social workers and music therapists at Four Seasons Hospice Care, and all who are lucky enough to be reminded of Laura through her artwork.

A celebration of life for Laura will be held for family and friends on July 22, 2023, at Cashiers United Methodist Church in Cashiers, NC, with a reception to follow. A live stream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@cashiersumc652. Due to the pandemic, a celebration for her late daughter Lynn, who passed away in 2020, was not possible. A special honoring of Lynn will take place during Laura's celebration. Now, together forever, Laura, her daughter Lynn, her son Danny and her parents are all rejoicing in their lavish reunion. They are resting unhindered by the physical, consumed by heavenly light.

In lieu of flowers, consider a philanthropic gift in Laura's memory to Four Seasons Hospice Foundation at https://fourseasonsfdn.org/ways-to-give/give-today/ designation: Angel Fund, to support their home care program, or to The North Carolina Arboretum Society at https://www.ncarboretum.org/donate-now/ designation: Honor/Memorial, to support their exhibits program which she appreciated. Please include a note with Laura's name for reference. Checks may also be mailed to Four Seasons Hospice Foundation, 211 N. Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, or The North Carolina Arboretum Society, Attn: Tributes, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806, with a note including Laura's name for reference. For questions about giving, contact Jodi John Pippin at [email protected] . Condolences may be sent to Earl Jeffers at [email protected] .

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
– Henry David Thoreau

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.