When I was around 13 years old, I took horseback riding lessons from Jan Swoope at her house in the Prairie. Each day, my mother would drop me in Jan’s driveway. I’d walk past the hollowed out tree trunk her son Dudley used as a playhouse — I was always envious of such a whimsical play place — and head straight to the barn, where I would brush the horses and clean their hooves as Jan had taught me.
Jan would make her way to the barn as I was finishing the grooming, and we would proceed to the field beside her house or to a nearby trail for that day’s lesson. I don’t remember the name of the horse I typically rode, but I do remember the gentle confidence Jan used when both caring for the animal and coaching me.
Nearly two decades later, my father would offer her the position of Lifestyles editor at The Commercial Dispatch. Always a strong supporter of the arts, Jan had been writing a local music column for the paper on a freelance basis. She liked the idea of a full time job and started on April 21, 2008. Over the following 13 years, she dedicated countless hours toward creating what I believe was the best Lifestyles section of any paper in the state. The pages she curated won first place honors at the Mississippi Press Association’s annual awards nearly every year she worked for this paper.
Yesterday morning, Jan passed away after a battle with cancer.
Lifestyles editors generally write about community happenings and interesting people. It’s largely the “good news” part of the newspaper. That perfectly suited Jan’s relentless positivity.
In her role as editor, Jan approached every story as if it were the most important one she had ever worked on. Exacting detail mattered to her, and she took it personally in the rare instance one of her stories contained an inaccuracy. She had as gentle and confident a touch with her writing as she did with horses, framing stories in an accurate yet flattering light, even when the subject matter was somewhat mundane.
She had a deep knowledge of and love for the Golden Triangle, Columbus in particular. “Ask Jan” was a common phrase in the newsroom when reporters needed a phone number or a bit of local history. That knowledge and love — combined with her ability to write — is what made her exceptional in her position and an asset to this community.
I spoke to Columbus Exchange Club early this year. During the Q&A portion of the talk, the late Butch Dollar raised his hand. Rather than pose a question, he proceeded to tell me and the club what a treasure Jan was to Columbus. As he spoke, I glanced around the room and saw heads nodding enthusiastically.
Jan’s passing is a loss to this community. Through her writing, she celebrated everything from accomplished artists to cheese straws; she did it with excellence and sincerity.
For many, Jan was synonymous with The Commercial Dispatch. It’s hard for me to imagine the paper without her. It’s hard for me to imagine Columbus without her.
Her office desk sat behind a partition in a corner of the newsroom, and she was just tall enough that you could see the top of her head peeking above the partition as she worked. Mornings, late evenings, even weekends, it seemed like she was always there. She poured herself into this job and likely worked more hours than any other employee. Over these last few months, while she has been on medical leave, I’ve continued to glance at her corner as I’ve walked through the newsroom, always expecting to see her there. I don’t figure I’ll stop for some time.
Peter Imes is editor and publisher of The Dispatch. He can be reached at [email protected].
Peter Imes is publisher of The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected].
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