Jane Wilson

Janie was born in Perry, Oklahoma on June 2, 1934 to Hazel and R.J. Smith. She was the second born of five. Early on, the family moved all around Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and California, due to R.J.’s work in the oil fields. Eventually, they settled in Odessa, Texas in 1946. There, Janie attended Odessa High School and Odessa Junior College, where she obtained her associates degree. It was also there she met and married Jon H. Wilson. After they married, Janie and Jon relocated to Lubbock Texas where their daughter Tracey was born. While in Lubbock, Janie was the secretary to the veterinary science director of Texas Tech University. A few years later, they moved to Brinkley, Arkansas where Jon served as City Manager and their daughter Christy was born. In 1963 the family moved to Marianna, Arkansas where Jon founded Crestpark Retirement Inns and Janie worked as his assistant. She also worked as the Secretary of the First United Methodist Church where she sang in the Church choir. She served as Brownie and Girl Scout leader for both Tracey and Christy’s Troops.

The family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1972. Later, Janie spent time at their family ranch, Fairway Farms, in San Augustine, Texas, where she enjoyed many Smith and Wilson family gatherings. She also loved spending time at their mountain home in Aspen, Colorado. There, she was involved in the Aspen Community Church and was a member of the Republican Women of Pitkin County. Janie and Jon then relocated their home base to Austin, Texas and enjoyed life in the capital city of Texas till 2001. Desiring to fulfill a lifelong dream of having the entire family in the same town, they moved to Edmond, Oklahoma where they had started HealthBack Home Health. There, they enjoyed watching their grandchildren grow up. Janie loved music, was a talented singer, and was very artistic. She volunteered with several charities over the years. She loved Broadway musicals, golf, shopping, leisure lunches, travel, and red birds. She could name each movie star in every classic movie ever made. She was as beautiful as she was kind, and Jon often referred to her as “the prettiest girl in Texas.” She was “GrandJane” to her three granddaughters, and she loved spending time with them, supporting their every endeavor.

Janie is preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Rufus Jones Smith, brother Johnny, and husband Jon.

She is survived by her daughters, Tracey Ayers (Troy) and Christy Wilson, all of Edmond, Oklahoma. Granddaughters, Emily Irwin (Jimmy) of Oklahoma City. Abby Wilson, and Tessa Ayers, of Edmond, Oklahoma. Janie’s siblings Vasca Beall of Fort Worth, Texas, Ron Smith (Carole) of Odessa, Texas, Don Smith (Lynn) of Jefferson, Texas, sister-in-law Mary Smith of Midland, Texas and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Janie’s life will be held on Saturday June 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Historic Chapel in Memorial Park Cemetery, 13313 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73131.

A reception will be held at the cemetery following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Hearts for Hearing

11500 Portland Ave.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120

heartsforhearing.org

You may view a recorded live streamed version of Janie's service through the following link:

https://sme.streamitplayer.com/Jane_Wilson