Jane Niles
Posted: August 26, 2020
Martha Jane Gardner Niles, age 75, a resident of Columbus passed away on Monday, March 16, 2020, in Columbus. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Mitchell Niles; her father, Thomas Yates Gardner; and her mother, Mary McLlwain; and her grandparents, Dr. A.T. and Effie McLlwain and Robert E. and Lillian Y. Gardner. Jane is survived by her children, Melissa Richards Clark and her husband, Joseph Brady Clark, and Mary Elizabeth Richards Symmes and her husband, Cowles Edgar Symmes; her siblings, Josephine McCracken and Thomas Yates Gardner (Bonnie); her grandchildren, Joseph Brady Clark Jr., Tedford Cowles Symmes, Yates Quitman Symmes and Mary Frances Symmes; her nieces and nephews, Stacy McCracken Lovoy (Henry), Thomas Gardner (Mollie) and Robert Gardner (Kayla); and her “adopted” daughter, Melanie Phillips. Jane graduated from Murrah High School in 1963 and attended MSCW where she graduated in 1967. Jane began her lifelong service for Mississippians in the Lowndes County Department of Human Services as a case worker and continued working for the State of Mississippi until she retired in 2008 as the Columbus Regional Supervisor for the Division of Medicaid. Jane loved her church family at First United Methodist Church in Columbus, and could always be found preparing the flower arrangements for Sunday service or other activities as an active member of her church. She was actively involved in the community where she devoted her time as a Pink Lady at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Clinic in Columbus, a member of the Columbus Garden Club and a member of the Citizens’ Police Academy. She was also a lifetime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Methodist Women. Jane would tell it like she saw it, but in a way that made everyone know she truly cared. Her neighbors and friends nicknamed her “the Mayor of 4th Street” and she was always quick to tell a story that would make you laugh. She made everyone feel welcome and was a wonderful Christian woman who loved life, her friends, and her family (both two legged and four legged). The family would like to thank all of Jane’s friends and neighbors for all the support and well wishes. The COVID epidemic has affected the family’s plan to hold a service that is fitting for such a fine, outstanding lady and has decided to proceed with a private memorial service to be held Saturday, August 29, 2020, at the columbarium at First United Methodist Church in Columbus.
