Marietta Jayne

Marietta Jonas Jayne, life-long resident of Kirksville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the age of 103.

Born July 16, 1921 at her parents’ home, to Sarah (Laird) Jonas and Harry S. Jonas, she attended Kirksville Schools, graduating from Kirksville High School in 1938. She spent much of her summers at Baring Lake swimming, boating and fishing. In 1931, she became a member of the Kirksville First Christian Church where she taught Sunday School, was the first “moderator”, and served several years as an Elder.

She attended Gulf Park, a girls’ junior college on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for two years. She attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) for three summers, receiving a BA degree in 1941. She was a member of Truman’s Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi. She then went to Missouri University (MU) where she received her BSE Degree and was a member of Kappa, Kappa, Gamma social society. She later served on the Sorority’s Scholarship Committee and received a 75-year membership pin in 2016.

On April 23rd, 1943, she married her high school sweetheart, Edward (Eddie) Jayne, and to this union were born three sons, Randy (Retired Air Force National Guard Major General) (Nancy), St Louis; Marty (Retired Air Force Colonel) (Nancy), Kirksville; and Tom (Kim), Pittsburg, PA and Kirksville. There are six grandchildren, Kathryn (Eric) Drennen; Matt (Dana) Jayne; Christy (Kwame) Curtis; Tommy (Hannah) Jayne; Teddy; and Clay Jayne. The seven great grandchildren are Jack and Maggie Drennen; Ava Marietta Jayne; Sadie, Drake, and Deacon Curtis; and Campbell Jayne. She is also survived by her nephews Hank (Bev) Jonas and Bill (Maria) Jonas; nieces, Sarah (Mark) Dau, Judy Myslick, and Jennifer Winter. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, Dr. Harry Jonas, a beloved aunt and uncle, and two special sisters-in-law, Ruth (Jayne) Spivey and Connie (Kirby) Jonas and a niece, Jayne (Whitney) Bradley.

A stay-at home mother, after teaching Social Studies at Ophelia Parish Junior High from 1942-1944, she began volunteering. She served on Kirksville R-III School Board from 1960-1972, served a term on Truman’s Board (11 years as the only woman), and served 9 years on Congressman Volkmer’s Board to recommend cadets to the US Service Academies (the only woman). She served as President on the City’s Nancy Fugate Charity Fund for eight years; Friends of the Library Board; and Secretary of the Maple Hills Cemetery Board. 

She volunteered at the hospital, nursing home, Red Cross, Library, Cemetery Board, and Blood Mobile, and received many honors for her work. In 2024, the local Chapter of Mizzou Alumni presented her their Eye of Tiger Award for her many contributions to the Kirksville community.

She was a member of Monday Club, PEO Chapter CW, DAR, Sojourners, AZ Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Mothers’ Home Club. She was a frequent guest at the Shrine Club and Saddle Club. She loved reading and playing bridge. She belonged to four bridge clubs and played duplicate bridge with her good friend, Luella Attebury. She and Eddie enjoyed spending winters in their home on Sanibel Island in Florida.

She deeply loved her family, her friends and her pets, especially her Bichon, Cassie, who was a special companion for 14 years after Ed’s death in 2002.

Visitation is Friday, August 23, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Playle-Rimer-Millard Family Funeral Chapel. A Memorial and Celebration of Life Service will be held at the First Christian Church of Kirksville at 1:00p.m. on Saturday, August 24 with Pastor Tim Polley presiding. Honorary pallbearers are: Judge Russ Steele, Dr. Hank Jonas, Mr. Bill Jonas, Dr. Jack Magruder, and Dr. Ferrel Moots. Per her request, the body was cremated, and there will be no graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are recommended to Truman State’s Edward and Marietta Jayne Scholarship Fund, the First Christian Church, or the Adair County Public Library.

Funeral arrangements in the care of Playle-Rimer-Millard Family Funeral Chapel.