Audrey Jacobus Taeubner

ASHLAND CITY, TN -- Audrey Jacobus Taeubner, 95, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on 10/22/2024 at Hillcrest Healthcare, Ashland City, TN. Born 6/17/1929 in Lewistown IL, Audrey was an esteemed rental manager for many years in both Pekin, IL and around the Capital District of NY. She was admired for her personable nature, work ethic, organizational skills, and artistic eye, which transformed spaces into picturesque havens.

As the youngest and last remaining of the 13 children of Earl and Mabel (Gardner) Jacobus, she was proudly raised on a farm in Central Illinois and loved to tell stories about family life as she grew up. Audrey learned early on the values of resilience and family, which she carried throughout her life. She was also proud to be a descendant of the Mayflower voyager Richard Gardner, and of John Gardner, A Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Audrey's passion for life was evident in her love of family gatherings, entertaining, decorating, collecting art, painting, talking with friends, and traveling, which along with her children and grandchildren were the highlights of her life. Audrey was easy to fall in love with as demonstrated by her first marriage proposal being at 17 years old and her last at age 92. Her warmth for people, intelligent wit, rich sense of style, and youthful vibrant spirit touched many, leaving her memory as a treasure to all who knew her.

Audrey is survived by her children Tyler Smith (Diane)of Belton TX, Jennifer Burke (Peter) of Niskayuna, NY, and Lisa Smith of Nashville, TN; grandchildren Gregory Burke, Natalie Burke-Lorenzo, Shannon Smith and Slater Smith; great-grandchildren Lana Rose Lorenzo and Dante Lorenzo. In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews some of which include John Long, John Long, Jr. and Tyler William Long of Peoria, IL, Rick Sarff (Charmayne) of Pekin, IL, Linda Curry (Dave) of Warner Robbins, GA, Ten Gibbons (Jan) of Carol Stream, IL, Janet Winthrop of Ellisville, IL, Debbie Danner of Table Grove, IL; as well as the following enduring friends Mary Kynoski of Dunnellon, Fl, Jean Evans of Framingham, MA and Leonna Glenn of Schenectady, NY.

Audrey's remains will be buried in the Baughman Cemetery in Smithfield, IL near her departed parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Audrey proudly designed and donated the beautiful gate, lights and landscape for this cemetery. A graveside service will be private.

Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave the family online condolences, please visit www.henrylange.com. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Operation Smile, P.O. Box 758588 Topeka, KS 66675