Mary Jane Schoonmaker Waldrop died at the age of 93, at The Cottages at Traceway Manor in Tupelo, on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Born on November 18, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of Anna Elizabeth Shane and B. Bevier Schoonmaker. She graduated from Pierre Samuel Dupont High School and attended Thompson’s Business School in Wilmington, DE.
She married Lake Wadelo Waldrop on August 27, 1955, and moved to Mississippi. She worked at the Mississippi Highway Department in Yazoo City and then moved to Pontotoc, Mississippi. She worked in Tupelo, at L.P. McCarty and Sons, for about three and a half years and then returned to Pontotoc to work for Riverside Industries for eighteen years. After her tour at Riverside, she bought Pontotoc Floral Shop and worked for sixteen years.
Mary Jane was a member of the Jaycettes, Open Gate Garden Club, Fine Arts Club, and First Presbyterian Church, serving as Sunday School teacher for the youth and young people’s fellowship. She also served as an Elder in the church.
Mary Jane belonged to many bridge clubs in Pontotoc and Tupelo and always enjoyed playing bridge most of her life.
Mary Jane is survived by her husband, Lake Wadelo Waldrop, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Tracy, Richard Shane, Robert Shane, James Orlando, Jay Paul and Lowell Thomas; three sisters, Anne Elizabeth, Lois Arlene and Carole Belle.
Pallbearers will be James Waltress, Gary Kidd, David Drope, Ken Grier, William Bramlett and Randy Horton.
Memorials may be made to Traceway Retirement Community or to First Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Browning Funeral Home and funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kenneth Corley officiating, with burial to follow in Pontotoc City Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.
