Klaitz-Young, Jodie Lyn was born on May 30, 1966, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Emalyn Talbot Klaitz and John David Klaitz. Jodie went to Heaven on Monday, July 16, 2012. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jack ("Pops") and Lucille ("Tata") Talbot of Atlanta, Georgia, and her cousin Chris Hickey. She was born into a family of aunts and uncles and cousins and doting grandparents, a world where she, younger sister Robin, and Cousin Leslie were The Three Monkeys dressed in braids and matching dresses. She learned to love and treasure when her younger brother, Jay, was born. Jodie will recognize angels with ease, as she is survived by two. Maddie Young, age 15, whose heart will forever skip a step at the sight of horses, Winnie the Pooh, and Christmas cookies. Eliza Young, age 5, who will always treasure sidewalk chalk and sleep best cradled in soft arms but will rely on friends and family to keep Jodie's memory alive. But the clearest sign of Jodie's amazing role in Eliza's life is shown by the lovely, smart, adorable, silly, little girl she already is and the strong woman she will become. Maddie, herself lovely yet already wise and talented, loves and treasures Eliza. Their father, David Young, will ensure that they talk to Jodie and that they are grown when they have to be (but only when they have to be). Jodie is also survived by her parents, Emalyn and John David Klaitz, of Dahlonega, Georgia; sister, Robin Chandley and her husband Jeff and children Lily and Grayson, of Cummings, Georgia; brother, Jay Klaitz, of Brooklyn, New York; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is also survived by 46 years of friends: little girl friends from church and Girl Scouts, artsy kids in high school, lovers of vintage dresses in college, fellow accomplished classical piano players, classmates in degree programs in counseling and teaching, co-workers in counseling abused foster kids, and friends with whom she laughed and cried over raising kids and raising a glass of wine. She is also survived by the countless troubled children she counseled, the hundreds of preschool children she guided, and the Sunday school children she touched. She was the proud recipient of both a master's degree and specialist degree in Counselor Education from University of Florida. And she received the Gold Award from Girl Scouts of America. There is a trail of friends and teachers and professors from her childhood in Roswell, Georgia, through Jacksonville and Gainesville and to Tampa attesting to her courage and intelligence and independence. We are promised that Jodie's pain and worry have been left behind. As she looks down upon this world, her view will be unclouded and she will see simply a legacy of loving and lovely young girls who will become women of confidence and hope and compassion with periodic bouts of ridiculousness. Jodie treasured the role of church in her life and in the life of her children. In the days before her death, Maddie's acceptance of the church and a joyous beach retreat brought her pride and joy. Her work and her schooling at every stage were always focused on helping children. Flowers will be joyously accepted and repeatedly sniffed by Eliza, but donations may also be made to Fishhawk Fellowship Church Youth Ministry. Jodie will be achingly missed by her children, her family, and those that knew her. A celebration for close friends and family of Jodie will be held on Friday, July 20, 2012 @ Fishhawk Fellowship Church in Lithia, Florida from 5:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. A visitation will also be held Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. ~ 2:00 p.m. with a service immediately after in the chapel. Pastor David Whitten will officiate the service. Flowers may also be sent to Serenity Meadows Funeral Home in Riverview, Florida.