Mary Jane Arris

Mary Jane Simmonds Arris, age 65, of Temple died Monday, July 24, 2006 in a local hospital. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 27, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wade Killough officiating. Burial will be private. Mrs. Arris was born October 29, 1940 in Temple at King's Daughters Hospital to Robert "Skeet" Simmonds and Mary Hester Simmonds. Mary Jane, MJ to her friends, was a lifelong resident of Temple. She attended Temple schools and graduated from Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1966. She taught at Lamar Middle School in Temple before earning her LVN license. MJ worked as a nurse for nearly 30 years and retired from Regency Manor in April, 2005. Mary Jane and her husband, Robert (Bob) Arris have been married for 41 years. Survivors include her husband, Bob Arris of Temple, son, Randy Arris, Sr. and wife, Tonia of Temple, daughter, Rachel Shepherd and husband, Ronnie of Belton and her mother-in-law, Mary E. Arris of Temple. Mary Jane dearly loved her six grandchildren immensely, granddaughters, Danielle, Megan and Stephanie Shepherd and grandsons, Randy, Jr. and twins, Carson and Caleb Arris. Also surviving is a sister, Judy Frances Prince of Temple, an adopted brother, David Simmonds of Winnsboro and an adopted sister, Maudie Zell Bulls of Oenaville. Also an aunt, Frances Whitlow and uncle, Bud Hester both of Troy, nieces, Lisa Edgemon and Nicole Bohac and nephew, Robert Fleming and many first and second cousins. Aunt Frances, sister to MJ's mother, was like a second mother and she and Aunt Frances worked together as nurses for many years in Temple nursing centers. Mary Jane began her nursing career in Irving and worked as a labor and delivery nurse. Later, she worked at Memorial City Hospital in Houston and Katy Community Hospital as a floor nurse. After moving back to Temple she worked as a skilled nurse for seniors and as an Assistant Director of Nurses. She taught LVN classes and also worked as the Training coordinator for new employees. MJ was a dedicated nurse for all her patients. MJ was an avid reader, a history buff, she loved to hunt and was a collector of Indian artifacts. She loved to make quilts for her family members and enjoyed gardening. Most of all she lived her life to the fullest. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for hematology/oncology research at Scott & White Hospital, c/o Development Office, 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508.