Mary Jeselnik Melanson

June 16, 1924 - April 2, 2023

Mary Magdalena Jeselnik was born June 16,1924 in the home of her parents, Anton and Frances Jeselnik. Assisting in her birth was the country doctor, her mother’s sister, Mary Janez Krulic and Annie Krulic Ozbolt. These families lived next to each other in which was lovingly called “Little Yugoslavia.” Mary Jeselnik’s parents immigrated to this country before and after WWI where they became American citizens and raised their family on the farm that is still family owned. Mary was a senior in high school, when to her surprise she learned her given name wasn’t Lena because that is the only name she ever knew. Mary was raised in a close knit family with five brothers and three sisters. Mary was the first girl born and was the care giver of her younger siblings, in addition as her mother’s right hand. She lived to please her mom because of the respect she had for her.

Mary married Frank Ashbaugh, whom she met while working at the post office in Savannah, GA. Together they had three daughters, Mary, Frances, and Teresa, while residing in Atlanta. After relocating to Miami, FL the couple ended their marriage.Thirty years later, she met, and married George Melanson and had many happy years together, before his passing.

Mary was an accomplished seamstress; making clothes, evening wear, and wedding gowns for her girls. She crocheted beautifully, love to read, but her true passion was gardening. Until she was 98, she planted a magnificent vegetable garden, even while tending to her much loved flowers. Simply said; she was happiest digging in the dirt with her hands.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Frances Janez Jeselnik, brothers, Anton Jeselnik, Blaz Jeselnik, Louis Jeselnik, John Jeselnik, Jim Jeselnik, Alberta Jeselnik Hatcher and Rosie Jeselnik Flisnick, and her grandson, Timothy Wade Sowell.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Magdalena (Wade) Sowell of Rocky Ford, Frances (Richard) Wright of Bluffton, and Teresa (Bruce) Lowe of Beaufort, SC; grandchildren, Angela “Angie” Morgan of Rocky Ford, Crystal (Hunter) Barnes of Atlanta, Michael, Jr. (Jennifer) Rentz of Beaufort, Tracy (Paul) Robbers of Columbia, SC, Courtney (Justin) Knox of California, and Jason Wright of Columbia, SC; 9 great-grandchildren; 11 great great-grandchildren; and a great great great-grand.

Services will be announced Monday evening.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com

Joiner Anderson Funeral Home Screven Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.

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