Her father was Francis Meadows Cotter, an Episcopal missionary. Her mother's name was Ida Miller Taylor.
Her first language is Chinese.
In 1965, Jayne was attending college to study Chinese language.
Older sister of actress Audrey Meadows.
Received the "America Book Award" in 1988.
Received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1991.
She is a strong supporter of the Republican party.