Mary Jane Pardue

Mary Jane Pardue was born in Athens, Tennessee. She lived most of her life in Cookeville. She peacefully passed away early Thursday morning, August 4th at NHC Cookeville, after a courageous struggle with illness. Mary Jane attended Forrest Hill Elementary School and Mouse Creek Elementary School in Athens. She went to Baxter Seminary for High School. Mary Jane attended Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. All of these schools no longer exist. During her college years she worked as staff at Camp Wohelo in Exteter, Rhode Island and Camp Sloan in Lakeville, Connecticut. After college graduation she moved to Korea, where she taught at the Seoul American School for six years. Upon her return, Mary Jane began teaching at Uffelman Elementary in Monterey, Tennessee. She would teach there for 30 years. During these years Mary Jane made remarkable efforts to develop the community potential she felt had not yet been achieved there. Mary Jane, along with Pat Jordan and Nancy Lewis, founded Third Grade Olympics with its physical education programs, which students in Putnam County even now enjoy each year. It was also Mary Jane's idea to bring elementary schools together at Tennessee Tech, to participate in a program called Jump Rope for Heart. In addition, Mary Jane taught Hunter Safety classes, from 1974 onward, to students at Miss Dolly’s Camp Monterey. Many Uffelman students benefited from those camps After Ms. Dolly’s passing, the family business of Mary Jane, Bend of the River, opened its doors to Uffelman and Burks Elementary students. There, outdoor education continued and flourished. Moreover, she initiated Uffelman Elementary’s trips to the Great Smoky Mt. Institute at Tremont, a residential environmental learning center located in that national park. She also initiated trips to the River Ridge Environmental Education Center near Kingston, TN. Throughout the years, many hundreds of students benefited from the Daisy BB Program at Bend of the River, a program which Mary Jane always helped to run, until she became ill. Mary Jane will long be remembered for her relentless pursuit of new ideas, and for her sharing of discoveries made by others. She remained fully engaged in these activities even after her retirement. During her illness she maintained contact via Facebook, emails and letters, showing support, giving advice and commenting on friends and family’s endeavors. She always remained involved and connected. Her love for learning, and her participation in the lives of people she loved, simply never ended. This is what will be most missed by those who loved her. Many of us will miss her sense of humor, her laughter that could fill an entire room, and the hearts in that room. Mary Jane at times presented a gruff exterior. In fact and in essence, however, she truly had a heart of gold. That heart of gold showed in many different ways, in her taking care of the needs of students and their families over the years. A former student suggested she may be distributing parachutes in Heaven this very day – and also distributing directions! Her kindness and generous heart were her most astounding qualities. As a simple example she took, many years ago, a student in acute discomfort to the dentist to have his aching tooth pulled. Also she took care of the expense. However, she was quiet about her services to others. She much preferred that persons she helped remain unaware that she was providing assistance. Mary Jane was known to pay electricity bills for widows or single mothers, or help with the rent, or buy groceries, clothing or toys. She did this on many occasions. This special and unique lady was loved by so many. Her memory lives on and will be cherished by all those whose lives she touched and enriched. The Post Oak Presbyterian Church was close to Mary Jane’s heart. She supported their activities and fundraisers and often sent encouraging messages to people in need. Even when she could no longer attend services, she was faithful to watch Sunday sermons online. She loved God and her faith was evident through her prayers and testimony of His goodness, putting His word into action. There have been numerous testimonies and messages on her Facebook page that celebrate her life and recall just how loved she was. A Celebration of Life will be December 26 (Boxing Day) at the Bend of the River. Being a dedicated teacher and promoter of education in general, at her request , her body was donated to The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Nancy Pardue, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews not to mention the dearest lifelong colleague-friends and students. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents Charles Pardue and Martha Johnson Pardue and brother Jerry Pardue. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Post Oak Presbyterian Church, 1174 Post Oak Road, Cookeville, TN 38506. Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home (931)526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.