For decades, the busiest time of the year at Russellville’s Oak and Ivy Florist has been the week leading up to Valentine's Day. All indications are that it will be another big week for one of Russellville’s longest-running businesses.
It’s different this year, though, since for the first time ever, company founder Terry Jayne is not there.
Mr. Jayne died unexpectedly this winter while helping clear debris in a Bowling Green yard following a tornado doing serious damage.
Terry Jayne started working in the floral business while a student at Russellville High School. After his 1972 graduation, he trained to become a florist in Chicago before returning to Russellville to continue in the business.
When Terry started Oak ‘N Ivy in 1976, it was located next door to the bus station on East Fourth Street. In 1984 Terry and Debbie Jayne bought the well-known McCutchens Flower Shop from Peg McCutchen and moved to its location on the corner of South Winter and West Fifth sstreet, next to the old National Guard Armory, the current Russellville Recreation Center. Oak ‘n Ivy has continued at that site ever since.
Haley Browning Jayne has worked at Oak ’n Ivy since 2006. She is the mother of two of Terry and Debbie’s grandchildren, 15-year-old Mallory Jayne—a sophomore at RHS—and 12-year-old Aiden Jayne, a sixth grader at Russellville Middle School. The Jaynes have two children, Ben Jayne and Erin Decker. Erin and her husband Jared are parents of the Jaynes’ other grandchild, Magnolia Decker.
Debbie, who is retired as treasurer of the Russellville Schools, does the accounting for the business, but she has asked Haley to operate Oak ‘N Ivy.
Haley has high praise for Terry Jayne.
“I had the best teacher, not just in the floral business, but with life in general,” she says. “Terry was always there, patiently teaching. To Terry, the flower business was much more than bringing smiles to others, it was his passion”
She says that Terry worked six to seven days a week, serving the community he loved. Over the years he decorated for numerous businesses and individuals, kept countless graves looking beautiful for families, and landscaped for many of years as well.
“Another one of Terry’s many talents was fixing things. Often times people would bring in various household items for Terry to fix, such as kitchen pots, lamps, odds and ends, and he was always happy to do so,” Haley remembers. “Anytime someone needed something, Terry was there to help. Terry catered to his customers and his community with a servant’s heart.”
Haley Jayne keeps the service aspect of Oak ‘N Ivy going. She spends countless hours volunteering for the Russellville schools. Not only is she a graduate of RHS herself, but her sister Mandy and her late mom Kathy worked for the school system, and her dad Glenn has always volunteered at the schools and in the community.
“When I think of Terry, the first word that comes to mind is selfless. He was always helping others in any way he could. Terry truly was a humble individual, and quick witted. Always giving a smile to others. He was so much to so many,” Haley Jayne says.
“I know I have some big shoes to fill, and while I could never replace Terry Jayne, as he truly was one of a kind, I do look forward to continuing his legacy by serving our community in the same selfless, loving and dedicated way that he did for many years.”
Oak ‘N Ivy is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Saturday hours depend on the season and the needs of the community.