Mary Jane McKnight

Mary Jane McKnight, a generous soul, loved by many, passed away November 12, 2015. She was a lady with grace and poise. Janie, as known by her countless friends, had an adventurous spirit. She lived a simple, unpretentious life. Her appreciation for art and architecture, trees and the landscape was passed on to her family and friends.

Janie and her sisters, Lyda and Betty, who predeceased her, received a foundation of faith, loyalty, generosity, thriftiness, and style, from their parents, David Madison and Margaret Shuttleworth Light. Janie loved company. She often set extra plates for guests at Christmas, Thanksgiving and other notable holidays and parties.

Janie was right-brained, incredibly creative, yet a little zany. When family and friends recounted her misadventures, forgetfulness and mixed metaphors, aptly referred to as "Janieisims" by her second husband John Proctor McKnight, she laughed along with everyone. She had a great sense of humor; occasionally the laughter turned to hysterics and tears.

Education was always important to Janie. Her parents didn't have the resources to send all three girls to college, so they took turns attending a year while the other two sisters worked. While living in Columbus, Mississippi, Janie attended Mississippi State College for Women (MSCW), taking a course, or two a year, eventually attaining her BFA. Janie's adventurous spirit led her to attend the Instituto Allende in San Miguel, Mexico where she attained her MFA.

Janie spent much of her adult life as an artist and art educator. She painted in every medium and also explored printmaking and sculpture. Her work has been displayed at MSCW, Neptune Beach, Florida and various locations in Naples, Florida.

Love for travel rivaled her love for the arts. Her two sisters and she traveled with their families to the north woods of Wisconsin every summer for nearly 40 years. Another frequent junket was to visit the Mississippi farm, home for her eldest son Bill and family, Carol, Tatia and Tracy. It reminded her of the eleven years she and first husband Larry and their sons Bill and Bruce spent on their own farm.
Those formative years were filled with the pleasures of horseback riding, swimming in the creek, hunting, fishing, gardening and tending to their cattle.

Janie also traveled abroad in Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Great Britain and Switzerland. When Janie became more advanced in age, her daughter-in-law, Sherry, had the idea that cruises would be more manageable and she took
countless Caribbean and transatlantic cruises.
Janie's upbeat attitude, wit, generosity, loyalty and love of family will be missed. She is more than ready for her passage when she steps over that threshold into eternity. All those touched by her life have been enriched; she leaves a legacy of hope, encouragement and generosity.

Janie was born on October 31, 1917, in Winchester, Indiana. Janie was predeceased in death by her husbands, Lawrence Austin Robbins and John Proctor McKnight, and her son William David (Bill) Robbins. Survivors are her son, Bruce Ashley Robbins; Carol Jean Robbins, wife of William David; grandchildren, Tatia Jane McCaskill, Tracy Louise Sims, and Warren Sampson Robbins; great grandchildren, Ellen Elizabeth McCaskill Douglas and William Austin Robbins; and great, great grandchild Trisa Ray Douglas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, NW 5940, PO BOX 1450, Minneapolis, MN 55485-5940 or to Project SOS, 4417 Beach Boulevard, suite 103, Jacksonville, Florida, 32207.

A celebration of Janie's life will be held Sunday, November 22 at 1:00 at the home of Carol Robbins in Hickory, Mississippi.