Mary Wilburn

MARY WILBURN

Mary Jane Smith Wilburn was born in Columbus, MS on January 1, 1925, the first baby born in  Columbus that year!

She later moved with her family to West Point, MS where she finished High School and Business Courses and, after a brief term employed at MSU in Starkville, began her lifetime career as an Executive Secretary in Jackson for the State Oil and Gas Board, specializing in legal issues, research, and legislative matters. She had three siblings, all of whom predeceased her: William, Stephen (Bubba) and Martha. She told great stories of helping her mother raise these kids...as well as her experiences helping her mom in feeding many less fortunate during the Great Depression.

During her younger years, she loved walking, riding her bike and swimming; and later earned full certification as a Red Cross Life Saver. She generally loved being physically active and credited her longevity to keeping her body strong.

Mary Jane was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson where she taught children's

Sunday School, worked closely with other youth programs, and sang in the choir for over thirty years. She also took leave from her regular vocation to spend two years as a secretary in Rome with the Greater Europe Mission.

She was predeceased by her only son, Stephen S. Wilburn (Susan) in 2013, and is survived by grandchildren: Amy, Peter, and Carl (Amanda), and great grandchildren: Kathryne, Benjamin, Aimee, Joshua, and Jason

The graveside funeral will be held at the Friendship Cemetery in Columbus on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 11:00am. Memorials may be made in Mary Jane's memory to Reformed Theological Seminary, 5422

Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209.