Mary Jane Maxwell Pople's Obituary
Mary Jane “Janie” Maxwell Pople died on December 6th, 2024. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Art and her son, Ray. She is survived by her son, Randy, three
grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Janie was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1921. She graduated from Central High
School and attended Southwestern College. Her college experience was rich, and included
singing in the concert choir, a deep engagement in Kappa Delta sorority, and a first place trophy
in a Jitterbug Contest. After leaving Southwestern, she attended DeShazo School of Music.
She was a life-long member of First Baptist Church, Memphis.
Janie fell head over heels for Air Force Captain, Art Pople, and journeyed three days by
train from Memphis to Sumter, South Carolina, where they were married. It was an arduous
journey. The wedding party gathered at 3:00 PM when the train was scheduled to arrive, but
Janie was delayed six hours. When the bride finally arrived, the wedding party had to be roused
from their beds. Despite the humble beginnings , their union was happy and loving, and lasted
a lifetime.
While Janie supported Art in his profession, she also raised two rambunctious boys,Ray
and Randy, kept a happy home and watched them grow into young men. Her love proved to be
fierce when Ray contracted AIDS during the 1990s AIDS epidemic. Through this challenge, her
outward expression of love grew even stronger, and she never turned her back on her son. As
a result of the anguish of the experience, she was able to offer strength to other parents who
were experiencing similar tragedy.
Janie was not one to stay home. She accepted numerous leadership roles in the
community, including President of Women’s Missionary Society, President of the Mary Galloway
Governing Board, and President of the Coterie Club. However, Janie would tell you that her
most important work was in the church. She was an integral part of First Baptist Church,
teaching Bible study to young couples, many of whom came to know her as a substitute mother.
She was a soloist in the sanctuary choir, and her skillful needlepoint cushions adorned the
clergy benches. Notably, she was one of the first female deacons of First Baptist, and served in
that role for many years.
Janie, in her day, enjoyed a good dinner party–hosting or attending, playing bridge with
her friends, and frequently indulged in a bowl of butter pecan ice cream. She travelled widely
and enjoyed taking in all the world had to offer. She had the warmth and graciousness of the
most genteel of Southern women, and an exquisite talent for shortbread cookies. Her coffee
table was never without a pile of thank you cards. Janie took great pleasure in the small details
of life, including trips to the beauty parlor, Coca Cola over ice, and chicken salad sandwiches on
the pontoon boat.
Even as the years wore on, Janie continued to remind us of the beauty and joy this world
has to offer. It was common for those who spent time with her to have felt a renewed reverence
for the gift of life, and great admiration for this woman who lived with profound devotion to God
and family, and widespread compassion and gentleness for all those she met.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday December20, 2024 at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church iof Memphis, 200 East Parkway N. MemphisTn. Visitation will be held prior starting at 12:00pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?