Mary Elizabeth Jaye

Mary Elizabeth Tinnin Jaye, 99, passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at Washington Regional Hospice, Fayetteville, Ark. She was born on June 30, 1912, in Maysville, Ark., to Grover Cleveland and Ida Mae Wetzel Tinnin. She was raised on her family farm in Maysville. Encouraged by her parents to pursue an education, she graduated from Gravette High School, Gravette, Ark. She continued her educational journey, spending two years at Park College in Kansas City, Mo., then received her BSE from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark., in 1938. She earned her MA at Columbia University, New York, N.Y., and was awarded a scholarship to Oxford University in England. Mary authored an elementary school textbook, "Making Music Your Own." In addition, she was a poet, writing numerous poems reflecting her life experiences. She taught kindergarten in the South Orange-Maplewood, N.J., school system for 33 years. She was an instructor at Seton Hall University. She married Emanuel Jaye on July 5, 1959. Mary and Manny were avid world travelers, once cruising on a freighter around South America. They traveled extensively with Elderhostel educational travel programs. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Manny; her parents; and her brother, James Preston Tinnin. She is survived by three nephews, James Martin Tinnin and wife Debbie, John Michael Tinnin and wife Gerry, Robert Preston Tinnin and wife Tricia; and one niece, Martha Louise Tinnin Price and her husband, Scott. She leaves 12 great-nieces and -nephews; and nine great-great-nieces and -nephews. At Mary's request, a private family graveside service will be held at the Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Ark. Local and cremation arrangements were handled by Moore's Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville, Ark. Memorials donations may be made to the Manny and Mary Jaye Endowed Scholarship, c/o University Advancement, John Brown University, 2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.