Mary Jane Van Slyke

Mary Jane van Slyke, 77, of Jonesboro passed away Sunday, February 24, 2019 following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease and complicating health issues.  She was born April 08, 1941 to George Gaylon and Daisy Ilma (Hazlett) Smith, their second daughter. Her mother Daisy passed away when she was six years of age. Her father remarried Agnes Adele Bergot in 1951. Gaylon would pass away in 1954 when Mary Jane was thirteen years old. Her step mother Agnes adopted her and raised her as her own, growing up in the Baptist Church. Agnes would remarry in 1970 to M. T. Wathen, who fulfilled the beloved role of a father.

Growing up during the 50's, life was a much simpler time, enjoying sock hops, roller skating, drive-in movies and of course her favorite singer - Elvis Presley. She was a member of the Jonesboro High School Class of 1959, and as such never lost touch with her classmates. During her high school career she was a majorette for the Jonesboro High School Marching Band, named Miss FBLA , and Senior Class Secretary.  Also in 1959, the Strand Theater was promoting the debut of the Walt Disney movie Cinderella, Mary Jane was named Miss Cinderella, as her foot fit the glass slipper. Following graduation from JHS, she would attend Arkansas State College, where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, later serving as an Chapter Advisor.

During her lifetime she married twice. Falling in love with her childhood friend, James Claybourne (Clay) Tyner, they would marry in June of 1961. Their marriage lasted twenty one years, raising their three children Caroline Adele, James Peyton and Gaylon Hazlett.  Her second marriage was to her new found love, Major Thomas Grier van Slyke of Walpole, Massachusetts. Their marriage would last only seven short months before Major van Slyke passed away.

Mary Jane worked as a clerk for JC Penney and a window dresser for Fan's Ladies Toggery, both were located in downtown Jonesboro. For a period of time, she had the honor of being a stay at home mom for her children. Upon reentering the work force, she would serve as a paraprofessional and later secretary at West Elementary School. Mary Jane retired from Farmers Home Administration, a division of the USDA, where she served as a loan technician for 24 years.

A bit of a fashion icon, Mary Jane always wore a hat for each occasion. Holidays were always very special to her with Christmas being her most favorite time of the year. Each Christmas the grandchildren would receive a tea cup from her collection, choosing just the right one to fit their personalities.  She so enjoyed making her family happy and participating in their life events. Mary Jane will be remembered as a daughter, a dear friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother (choosing the name Gran Mamie) and of course a Great-Gran Mamie!

Mary Jane is predeceased by her parents and spouses and sister Caroline Smith.  She is survived by her three children, Caroline (Tony) Brodell, Peyton (Terri) Tyner and Gaylon Tyner all of Jonesboro. Seven grandchildren, Anthony (Kaitlyn) Brodell, Amirah Tyner, Gracie (Josh) Cook, Rachael (Matt) Morrison, Audrey (Blake) Guinn, Bethany Tyner and Chloe Tyner.  Two great grandchildren: Alec James Brodell and Madilynn Marie Morrision, step-sister Barbara Morris, sister in law Millie Poe, brother in law Virgil Tyner and her beloved cat Rose Petals.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Brodell, Josh Cook, Blake Guinn, Gary Henry, Matthew Morrison, Gary Swift, Hank Tyner and her son Gaylon Tyner. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Jonesboro High School Class of 1959, Vicki, Lewis, Deacon Ted Schreck, Dr. Bill Wood, Lowell Thompson and Alphonso Robinson in honor of his Grandmother Laura Wilson.

Visitation will be from 12 – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at First Christian Church in Jonesboro followed by a celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m. at First Christian Church with Brother Don Martin Officiating.  Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Gary Henry Jr. Memorial Scholarship fund through Southern Bank Jonesboro.