Jeanne Flomar Chavous-Gwynn

Jeanne “Gigi” Chavous-Gwynn, 85, of Columbus, Ohio, entered into eternal peace on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. She was born November 4, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Jarett and Emily Chavous. Jeanne was a 1944 graduate of Columbus East High School. With the strong belief in hard work and advanced education instilled in all the Chavous's, Jeanne received her Bachelor of Science Degree from The Ohio State University where she also joined a lifetime sisterhood as a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first African-American sorority. Jeanne married the late Judge Lawrence McKinley Gwynn on June 20, 1948 and, from this union, she and Lawrence raised two sons, Lynn and Garth Gwynn. Jeanne enjoyed a long career in both education and the health care industry - working at Mt. Carmel Hospital, teaching Science with the South-Western Board of Education in Grove City, Ohio, and, lastly, with the City of Columbus Health Department where she retired after many years. In addition, Jean understood the value of ownership. She owned rental property in the OSU Campus area. Jeanne knew the true meaning of family and provided a strong stable foundation of love, support, and encouragement to her brothers, sisters, sons, and grandchildren. Jeanne's love stretched even further with open arms as she also parented both Pepe and Nikki Gwynn, her eldest grandchildren, who affectionately called her Gigi. Some of Jeanne's proudest moments include watching her son Garth also graduate from The Ohio State University and seeing her son Lynn own his own business, Diamond Electric Construction. She was also proud of seeing Pepe, the grandson she raised, not only serve his country in the United States Army but also watching him receive his Bachelor of Science Degree. Additionally, she was very proud of Sonja Rhynehardt when she received her Bachelor of Science and Master Degrees. Jeanne enjoyed a love for jazz , traveling, and, especially, researching her family ancestry. In addition, Jeanne was active with various organizations including AKA Sorority, Inc., United Negro College Fund, the Ohio Historical Society and others. Jeanne is proceeded in death by her parents Mr. Jarett and Emily Chavous, brother Jarret Chavous, sisters Janice and Barbara Chavous and niece Brenda Chavous. Jeanne leaves to cherish her memory sons Lynn (Leilani) Gwynn of Columbus, Ohio and Garth (Kathy) Gwynn of Houston,Texas; brother Quintin (Elvira) Chavous of Boston, Massachusetts; sister Leslie Chavous-Hunter of Chicago, Illinois; sister in-law Mildred Chavous; grandchildren, Pepe (Jenise) Gwynn, Nikki Gwynn, Sonja (Anthony) Gwynn-Rhynehardt, Madison and Chavous Gwynn of Houston, Texas; great grandchildren, Letisha (Brandon) Parks-Reed, Lisa, Leilani and LaShina Rhynehardt, Steven Brown and Kaylin Gwynn; great-great grandchildren, Ziona, Majesty, Daniel Reed, and Elijah Easter; nephews, Mark Jarret Chavous of Boston, Eden Cowans of New York City, Tony and Dominic Slade of Los Angeles, California; nieces, Sidney (Dan) Fields of Boston, Diane (Artavia) Wilborn of Los Angeles, Jerri Slade of Portland, Oregon, and Janice Slade of Los Angeles; great nephews, Charles Slade, Dixon Wleh, Mark Richardson, Julius Bell, Dominic Slade, Jr. and David Slade, all of Los Angeles, and Johnathon Rambo of Washington; great nieces, Stephanie Peppers of Los Angeles, Jessica Staples of Washington, Melanie Richards of Los Angeles, Gian (Todd) Brown Virginia, Precious Slade of Los Angeles, Glori Slade of Los Angeles, and Derrick Nimmons. Finally, there are a host of many other friends and family including her extended family at We Care Health Facility.