Jaye Neely Tipton

Jaye was born on September 25, 1956 in Osceola, AR to Helen Francis (Buchanan) and Dewey Neely, who preceded her in death, and was the proud middle sister of Kerry Neely and Helen Francis “Fanny” Neely (Ricky Jones).

In 1974 Jaye graduated from Osceola High School and then attended the University of Alabama where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

In 1979 Jaye married John Harding Tipton, III at the Osceola Presbyterian Church where the two met in their youth. Together, they had two sons, John (Anna) and Will (Emily), who they raised in Osceola. Their 45-year marriage was a steady, loving partnership that served as the anchor to a close-knit extended family and many lasting friendships.

After college, Jaye joined her father at the family-owned Buchanan Chevrolet and Oldsmobile Co. in Osceola as the Sales Administrator and Parts & Services Manager. She then worked for over 40 years in college education administration at Cotton Boll Technical Institute and then Mississippi County Community College – Arkansas Northeastern College.

In addition to her work, Jaye gave of her time as a member of the Mississippi County Christian Academy School Board and the Philanthropic Educational Organization, a sisterhood dedicated to supporting education for women. In retirement, she served as a regular reader at Trinity in the Fields Anglican Church in Marion, AR.

Raised on Alabama football, Jaye was a loyal fan of the Crimson Tide, never missing a game and always celebrating her favorite coaches Bear Bryant and Nick Saban.

Jaye’s greatest joy in life was her family. In addition to her husband, sons, and sisters, she delighted in her three grandchildren Walker and Harding Tipton (John) and Dottie Tipton (Will), nieces and nephews Charli Jones, Helen Frances Jones (Spencer), Anne Taylor Manning (Reid), Elizabeth Musick (Matt), Horace Tipton (Lindsey), and Mary Shea Quach (Steven), her brothers and sisters-in-law Charley and Sherri Tipton and Horace and Anne Tipton, and many great nieces and nephews.

Jaye will be remembered and celebrated by her family and friends for her kind and gentle spirit, enormous love for her family, quiet generosity, and innate ability to make people feel special and cared for.

A funeral service and interment will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Trinity in the Fields Anglican Church, 100 E Military Road Marion, AR 72364, at 11:30 a.m., with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Trinity in the Fields Anglican Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.