Jane Kinkade Ivey

Jane Kinkade Ivey, 86, died on May 13, 2014, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. She was born on June 2, 1927, in Lake Hamilton, Fla., to the late Elmer Theodore and Robbye Woods Kinkade. Jane grew up in Florida and graduated from high school there. She attended Chevy Chase Jr. College in Chevy Chase, Md., before coming to the University of Arkansas in 1945. She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in mathematics from the University of Arkansas. On Dec. 19, 1947, she married Harry Don Ivey and they made a life together on a farm in the Oakland-Zion community until he died in 2004. In 1948, she began a career in teaching that spanned 32 years. She spent most of her teaching career as a high school mathematics teacher and mathematics coordinator for the Springdale Public Schools in Springdale, Ark. She also taught mathematics at the former Hillcrest Jr. High School in Fayetteville, Ark., and John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. Although she retired from teaching in 1982, she spent most of her remaining years tutoring students. She spent 50 years grading correspondence courses in mathematics for the University of Arkansas Department of Independent Study. Jane's many students will remember her as a patient and knowledgeable tutor who guided them through various mathematics courses at both the high school and college levels. In 1997, the Springdale High School mathematics wing was named "Ivey Hall" in her honor. She was a member of various professional education associations, including the Springdale Education Association where she served as president, the Arkansas Education Association, the National Education Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She was a longtime member of Cross Church (formerly known as the First Baptist Church) in Springdale, Ark., and served for 32 years as secretary/treasurer for the Oakland Cemetery Board. Since 2001, Jane lived at the Gardens at Arkanshire Retirement Home in Springdale. Here she had many friends and was most generous with her time and talents helping anyone at any time. Jane leaves behind a loving family. She is survived by two sons, Van and wife, Becky Powers Ivey, of Fayetteville, Ark., and Don and wife, Gretchen Gray Ivey, of Perkasie, Pa.; six grandchildren, Adam Ivey of San Francisco, Calif., Allison Soeung and husband, Randy Soeung, of Cave Springs, Ark., Alex Ivey of Fayetteville, Ark., Dr. Simon Ivey and fiancé, Julie Styer, of Philadelphia, Pa., Dustin Ivey of Dallas, Texas, Madison Ivey of Perkasie, Pa.; and one great-granddaughter, Camille Jane Soeung of Cave Springs, Ark. In addition to her two sons and their families, Jane is survived by one sister-in-law, Jane Kinkade; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Harry Ivey; and two brothers, Ted Kinkade and Bill Kinkade. Jane will be buried beside her husband in the Oakland Cemetery in Fayetteville. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, from 3 to 4 p.m., with a Celebration of Life to begin at 4 p.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, located at 4520 N. Crossover Road, Fayetteville, AR 72703. A private family burial will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Oakland Cemetery, c/o Michelle White, 6632 Guy Terry Road, Springdale, AR 72764; or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.