Mrs. Jane Coffin Tyler

Jane Coffin Tyler, 98, died May 30, at Riverside Nursing Home in Thomaston. Mrs. Tyler was born May 10, 1919, in Akron, Ohio, to the late Arthur G. Coffin and Chrystine Jordan Coffin. She was predeceased by two brothers and one sister. She graduated from Girls High in Atlanta, and from the University of Georgia (1939) with a degree in biology. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and a Phi Beta Kappa initiate. Mrs. Tyler continued her education at Piedmont Hospital and became certified as a medical technologist. While at Piedmont, she met Dr. Herbert D. Tyler, who was completing his internship from Emory medical school. They married in Atlanta on April 9, 1942. Dr.Tyler served in World War II for two years, and after completing his active military service, they moved to Thomaston, Georgia, in 1948. Mrs. Tyler, through God's grace, was blessed with the spiritual gifts of service, of encouraging, and of mercy. Her life, a combination of boundless energy and creativity, was the embodiment of Christian fruitfulness. In 1948, she became an active member of the Thomaston First Presbyterian Church, where she was designated an Elder Emeritus. As an active Thomaston citizen, she was the director of the Upson County Department of Family and Children's Services, a teacher of biology at R.E. Lee Institute, and an assistant librarian at Hightower Memorial Library. She was a long-time member of the Upson Regional Medical Center's Ladies Auxiliary and contributed many hours as a pink lady. She was in the Green Thumb Garden Club and enjoyed Friday afternoons with her bridge group. The crowning point of Mrs. Tyler's earthly journey was her deeply centered love and commitment to her family, which included her husband, Dr. Herb, and their four children, Emily, Chrystie, Dan, and David. Her family nickname was MawMaw. The Tyler house was always a bustle of young people who were aspiring musicians, artists, dancers, athletes, and Boy and Girl Scouts. After the Tyler nest was empty, the door remained indefinitely open for her adult children, their families, and extended family members who needed a place to live while making life transitions. Mrs. Tyler was an avid believer in 'love thy neighbor' and actively lived that conviction. During her lifetime she acquired a discerning and insightful wisdom that was balanced with good common sense. As the mothers of her children's friends began to die, Miss Jane easily became a wise mother to many. The cake for her 90th birthday read 'MawMaw to some and Mama to many.' She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Herbert Tyler; her oldest daughter, Emily Tyler Harton; and her youngest son, David Avery Tyler. She is survived by her son, Dan Tyler (Linda); her daughter Chrystie Tyler Newell (Robert); her daughter-in-law Bonnie S.Tyler; and Arnold Dixon. Eight grandchildren also survive: Jane Schwartzhoff (Tad); Anna Hying (Dan); Rob Newell (Noelle); David Newell; Coley Tyler (Erin); Megan Tyler-Weigand (Matthew); Matthew Tyler (Kristy); and Hayley Tyler (fianc Richard Holston). Other survivors are her great-grandchildren: Jack and Luke Schwartzhoff; Emily Rose and Sam Hying; Caden, Campbell, Cooper, and Colby Tyler; Liam Tyler-Weigand; and Sarabelle Tyler. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 21, 2017, at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Thomaston First Presbyterian Church, 403 Birdsong St., Thomaston, GA 30286. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com