Leah Jane (Carroll) Christensen of Greensboro, Georgia, formerly of Seward, died Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at The Glen at Lake Oconee Village in Greensboro. She was 89.
She was born Aug. 2, 1934, to the late John Egbert Carroll and Elizabeth Mary Carroll. She married Austin Andrew Christensen on July 19, 1956, and they had two sons. Jane was a graduate of East High School in Denver, Colorado, and Colorado College, where she received her Master’s. She also attended the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and Oxford University in England, receiving her Doctorate degree. During her working career, she taught at Everitt Junior High School, Manning Junior High School, Englewood High School, University of Nebraska and Colorado College. She went on to be the Executive Director for the Teachers of English with NCTE and retired June 19, 1990. She also wrote and published a 6-12 grade English textbook for Scott Forsman & Co.
Jane served as a ghost writer for TV personality Bonnie Pruden, served on the Library of Congress Advisory Board and was a lifetime member of Phi Beta Kappa. Other organizations that she participated in was the National Coalition Planning Committee, Gale Research Services, OERI Outreach Committee, Postmaster General Education Advisory, Keynote Speaker, and the Director of Ford Foundation National Program.
Five years ago, she moved from Seward to Lake Oconee to live with her son and family. She had also lived in Idaho Springs, Colorado. While living in Greensboro, she attended Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church. Her favorite sport to play was tennis, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Survivors include two sons, Andy Christensen and wife Julie of Seward and Mark Christensen and wife Jane of Greensboro; six grandchildren, Kelsey Elizabeth Christensen, McKenzie Jordan Christensen, Callen Andrew Christensen, Zander Edward Christensen, Beckett Austin Christensen and Aven Lou Christensen; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Austin Andrew Christensen; sister, Jill Kinney; and brother, Mike Carroll.
The family will hold a memorial service at Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church, 113 Scott Road, Eatonton, GA 31024. Arrangements by McCommons Funeral Home in Greensboro.
