Ria Jane Chiepalich

Maria Jane (Ria Jane) Clinkscales Chiepalich passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at her home in Jacksonville, AL at the age of 95. She was born July 21, 1918, in Anderson, SC, and as a young child moved to and grew up in Montgomery, AL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Barbich Chiepalich, Jr., her parents, Julian Edgar and Mary Gilreath Clinkscales, sister Emma Florence Clinkscales, and brothers Jefferson Gilreath Clinkscales and Julian Edgar Clinkscales, Jr.

She is survived by her four daughters, Maria Jane C. Wells (Mike) of Andalusia, AL; Mary Violet C. Suttles (Edgar) of Shelby County, AL; Helen Patricia C. Haigler (Fred) of Eclectic, AL; and Emma Alice C. Sloan (Jim) of Shelby County AL, nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, sisters, Mary Gilreath Clinkscales White and Elizabeth Juliet Clinkscales Graves, both of Marietta, GA, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mrs. Chiepalich graduated from Brenau College in Gainesville, GA, with a BA degree in mathematics. She earned a MA degree in mathematics at the University of Alabama. She was an officer in the Waves of the US Navy during World War II where she attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying meteorology. She was stationed in Jacksonville, FL, forecasting weather for navy pilots in training. She was on the faculty of the University of Alabama and Huntington College, and was a member of the faculty of Jacksonville State University from 1961 until her retirement in 1983.

Mrs. Chiepalich was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Garden Club and Jacksonville Needlepoint Guild.

Memorial services for Mrs. Chiepalich will be 11 am Friday, February 21, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville with Dr. Derek Staples and Rev. Norman Powell officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 – 11 am at the church.

The family thanks Judy Austin and Karen & Larry Bridges for their friendship and loving care.

The family will accept flowers or memorials may be made to the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center, 206 Frances Street, Jacksonville, AL 36265.

Arrangements under the direction of Gray Brown-Service Mortuary & Crematory, Anniston, Alabama.