Jane Jones Kuykendall

Mary Jane Jones Kuykendall, 90 of Amory, died at North Mississippi Health Services/Gilmore Hospital in Amory on May 28, 2023.

Visitation will be at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. Roger Akers officiating and burial to follow at New Hope Cemetery in Wren. Pallbearers will be her sons in law and grandsons: Stephen Goodnoh, Andy Howell, Spence Howell, Billy Kirkpatrick, Paul Kirkpatrick and Dusty Sims.

Jane was born to Robert Homer and Mary Belle Neely Jones on February 23, 1933. Jane was a graduate of Wren High School where she was the Valedictorian for the class of 1952.

Jane was a member of East Amory Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a long time Sunday School teacher.

Jane married her lifelong love Ralph Kuykendall on December 13, 1952 and they shared seventy years together. Jane was devoted to Ralph and loved the life and family they built together over their marriage that spanned seven decades. Before she married, Jane worked for the Southern Bell Telephone Company as an operator where she volunteered for the night shift so she and Ralph could talk while he moved around with the Army.

Jane spent most of her life as a homemaker and all were welcome in her home. She was a natural born caretaker and touched the lives of friends and family alike with her easy grace and genuine kindness. Known as “Mama Jane” to her children and grandchildren and “Miss Jane” to everyone else, she was always there with her beautiful smile and a comforting word. While she will be mostly remembered for her kindness, Jane’s quick wit and quiet intelligence made her a trusted confidant for her family and friends.
Jane loved animals from a young age and she and Ralph had many beloved pets over the years that brought her great joy. She also welcomed her “granddogs” and “grandcats” into her home for visits and extended stays.

Jane was a skilled and sought after seamstress. She did embroidery and tatted lace handwork up until her death and enjoyed making beautiful pieces to give her friends and family. Jane was a longtime volunteer for Meals on Wheels and she often took her grandchildren along to deliver meals to show them the importance and value of helping those in need.

Jane is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph and her sister Jean Jones Lewis.
Jane is survived by her daughters, Mary Jo (Billy) Kirkpatrick of Amory; Jeannie (Stephen) Goodnoh of Amory, and Anna (Andy) Howell of Madison; grandchildren Paul (Jenny) Kirkpatrick of Washington, D.C., Mary Kathryn (Tyler) Williamson of Meadville, Molly Jane (Dusty) Sims of Smithville, and Spence (Blakele) Howell of Flowood; and great grandchildren Adele Kirkpatrick, Jack and Mary Neely Williamson, Lane and Anna Lauren Sims.



Donations may be made in Jane’s memory to the Amory Humane Society, 1317 Old Hwy 6, Amory, MS, 38821 to support the shelter’s recovery efforts from the recent tornado.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com