Mary Jane Kennon

Mary Jane Taylor Kennon passed away peacefully at the age of 70 surrounded by family and friends on September 24, 2011. Jane was born in Canton, Missouri to Lee (Toby) Taylor and Ethel Guseman on February 1, 1941. Being the youngest of four, she quickly earned the nickname of "Angel Jane."� She graduated from Canton High School in 1959, where she played varsity basketball. She attended Culver Stockton College, earning an Associate"�s Degree. Jane was a member of Cassidy United Methodist Church for nearly forty years. Selflessly, she served Cassidy United Methodist Church as Treasurer, as a Sunday School Teacher, as Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Superintendent of child and adult education. Jane"�s commitment to making lives better for others, didn"�t end there, though. She was a founding leader of the Tomorrow 4-H Club in 1972, and instrumental in starting the Christian County Domestic Violence Center in 1998, where she served as a board member and treasurer. She was a member of the Elks Auxiliary, where she served as Vice-president for several years. In addition, she served as a board member of the Christian County Agriculture and Mechanical Society and the Christian County Fair Board. After retiring from Montgomery Ward after 23 years, she continued to work as a salesperson at various furniture stores in the area. Jane"�s life was filled with love and laugher. She always found great joy in nature and took great pride in her flower gardens. Even towards the end of her life, she maintained a positive attitude and always worried about others more than herself. She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Jack Kennon; three children, Lori (Doran) and Warren Whitlow, of Dallas, Texas, Larry Doran, Springfield, Missouri and Lee and his wife, Lisa Doran of Ozark, Missouri. The absolute light of her life were her grandchildren, Nicholas Whitlow, Makennon Doran, Ashley Dye, Kainon Bouldin, Bella & Bailey Doran and great-granddaughter, Kaylee Bouldin; her siblings, Robert Taylor and wife Rosemary, Canton, Missouri, Evelyn Mendes and husband Creighton, Kansas City, Missouri and Lee Taylor and wife Lois, Canton, Missouri, also survive her. Jane had many close friends, but the family wishes to especially thank Oxford Hospice employees Vicki and Shirley and the ALS Society. Friends and family will be received at Cassidy United Methodist Church, 5151 N. Fremont Rd, Nixa, Missouri, from 6-8 p.m. on September 28. A celebration and memorial service of Jane"�s life will be held on Thursday, September 29 at Cassidy United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. For those that wish, memorial donations may be made to Camp Galilee, PO Box 520 899 East Martin, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744 or the charity of your choice.