Obituary: Jeanne Phyllis Shugerman Denson

Jeanne Phyllis Shugerman Denson passed peacefully in Atlanta, Ga., on Aug. 2, 2024, after a brief illness with her children by her bedside.

Jeanne was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Aug. 9, 1925, and was the only and very much-loved child of Ida and Abraham Shugerman. The Shugerman family moved to Gadsden when Jeanne was 14 years old. After high school, Jeanne studied journalism at the University of Alabama and was active as a song writer and danced for the Army troops as part of the USO during World War II.

Jeanne left her university studies to marry Allan Irving Denson on Jan. 6, 1946, and for the next 50 years together, Jeanne and Allan devoted their lives to their family. The couple reared eight children, and the sounds of a large family, a menagerie of pets, and music always filled their home.

Jeanne nurtured her children, exemplified motherhood, exuded grace and her children adored her. She treated each of her children as if they, too, were only children. With so many, she was unable to individually read to them at night, so she played bedtime stories on vinyl records through the intercom every night.

Judaism was important within the Denson household, and Jeanne faithfully prepared Shabbat dinners and took her family to Friday night services and Sunday School at Temple Beth Israel.

Jeanne taught her children to love both science and the liberal arts, to “help your fellow man,” and to “make the world a better place.”

Jeanne was very proud of each of her children and encouraged their activities, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chess Club, Drama Club, Debate, music lessons, ballroom dancing, swim team, ballet, cheerleading, science fair projects and summer camp.

Jeanne set the standard for her family by handling each challenge life brought her with grace, strength and a positive attitude. Jeanne’s intellect, love of community, and willingness to give of herself to those less fortunate brought her much admiration and many friends.

One of her proudest moments was her creation of “The SHEMA Award.” This was Temple Beth Israel’s highest honor bestowed on a member of the community who contributed in caring fashion to make The Temple “our home and its members our family” by giving service, promoting harmony, showing empathy and performing mitzvot at all times.

Jeanne supported Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood, The Smeltzer Educational Center for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, the American Diabetes Association and Birmingham Hadassah.

Jeanne was predeceased by her son, Harold Joseph Denson, her husband, Allan, and her parents, Ida and Abraham Shugerman. She is succeeded in life by her children and their spouses, Arthur Denson, Scott Denson (Judith), Bill Denson (LeNae), Miles Denson (Rita), Kathryn Cox (Louis), Jim Denson (Barbara), and Susan Newman (Randy); her 16 grandchildren include Ariel Dixon (Jeremy) and Rebecca Denson; Josh Denson (Casey), Aaron Denson (Meredith), and Megan Denson (Bar); Jared Denson (Van) and Brandon Denson (Jordanna); Michael Cox, Sarah Cox, and Caroline Cox Monday (Matt); Hana Denson, Sarai Denson, and Ari Denson (Kelsie); Noah Newman (Noam), Catherine Newman, and Kyle Newman; and 10 great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Mazie Denson; Eli, Isaac, and Benjamin Denson; Ayden Burns, Solomon, Jeremy, and Rafael Denson; and Emmett Monday.

The family would like to thank Raphael Adadevoh for the love and care you have given our mother and Arthur, our brother.

Graveside services were held at Temple Beth Israel Cemetery, 411 N. Vanderbilt Road on Monday, Aug. 5, with a luncheon immediately following at The Women’s Club of Gadsden. Shiva was held at Temple Sinai in Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following: Birmingham Temple Emanu-El Gadsden Cemetery Fund 2100 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham 35205; Birmingham Hadassah; JF&CS Atlanta Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Services; and Temple Sinai Youth and Teen Scholarship Endowment.

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