Suzanne Kramer Jeffers

HICKORY - Suzanne Kramer Jeffers, Ph.D., passed away July 3, 2009, at her home with her family. She was born in New York, N.Y., on March 12, 1929, to Theodore Roosevelt (Ted) Kramer Sr. and Estelle Ullmann Kramer. She was a resident of Hickory for more than 70 years. A respected educator, Dr. Jeffers retired as professor emeritus from Lenoir-Rhyne University after a distinguished 40-year career in the English department. She was a popular teacher and influential Shakespearean scholar. Among her many honors at Lenoir-Rhyne, she was named the Raymond M. Bost Distinguished Professor, was a yearbook dedicate, a commencement speaker and was included in Who's Who of American Teachers and Professors. She was affectionately known by her students as "Doctor J." At her retirement, colleagues planted a tree in her name in the university's quad. After attending Hickory High School, she graduated from Bryn Mawr College. That began a lifelong love for learning and her long support as a college class collector. Following her college graduation in 1951, she joined New York's Doubleday and Co. in the Children's Book Division. While there, she was given the galley proofs of "The Diary of Anne Frank." After an all-night read, she urged the publisher to issue it as an adult book. She delighted in the opportunity to meet Otto Frank, Anne's father, during the publishing process. In 1953, she returned to Carolina and to UNC-Chapel Hill for a master's degree in English and theater. She met her husband Charles (Jeff) there. Twenty-five years later, she returned to UNC-Chapel Hill for a doctorate in Shakespearean studies. After her marriage to Charles in 1956, and his military stint, they returned to Hickory in 1957. During the following years, she was active on the vestry of the Church of the Ascension, served on local boards, most recently the Beaver Library Board. She was a member of The Travelers, Ladies of the Club and Quest Book Clubs. In 2004, she and Jeff were given the Outstanding Community Service Award by the board of trustees of Lenoir-Rhyne University. She also was an accomplished actress and comedienne, appearing in numerous roles on local stages. They ranged from Charles Shultz's "Lucy" in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" to Tennessee Williams' anguished mother Amanda Wingfield in "The Glass Menagerie." She appeared last in 2000 with her husband in the Hickory Community Theatre production "On Golden Pond." She is survived by her husband, Charles E. Jeffers, and daughters and son-in-law, Tina and Mitchell Batson and Ellie and Brian Hall. Her grandchildren are Zackary and Sarah Johnson, Julia and Will Batson and Kelsey and Taylor Hall. Her family is grateful for the support of Douglas and Valerie Johnson. She also is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Capt. Theodore Roosevelt Kramer Jr. (USN Ret.) and Dorothy Wentz Kramer, and nieces and nephews, Ted and Doreen Kramer, Kathy and Steve Watts and Chuck and Kieran Kramer. Great-nieces and great-nephews abound. The funeral will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Ascension, 726 First Ave., NW, Hickory. The family will receive after the service at a reception in the Parish Hall. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers are suggested for the Dr. Suzanne K. Jeffers Memorial Fund at Lenoir-Rhyne University, c/o Rich Duncan, L-R, Box 7150 , Hickory, N.C. 28603 or Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658. The family also would greatly appreciate a donation of a household item to the Habitat for Humanity Home Store, 772 4th St., SW, Hickory, N.C. Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Suzanne Kramer Jeffers family.