Mary Jane McReynolds Welkner, (who preferred Jane M. Welkner) 85, of O’brien, Florida was taken into the loving arms of the Lord Jesus Christ Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at Haven Hospice in Lake City, Florida.
Jane was born May 2, 1929 the daughter of Jay W. and Frances McReynolds, in Bristol Virginia. Jane graduated from Hamilton High School in Mendota, Virginia, in 1947, where she lettered in varsity women’s basketball and was an accomplished artist for the school newspaper. After high school graduation, she was employed by the S.E. Massengill Company, a local pharmaceutical manufacturer.
On a vacation trip to Daytona Beach, Florida, she met John Vernon Welkner, Jr. The couple married on October 24, 1951. The Lord blessed the couple with three sons, Vernon, III, Richard, and Gordon. In 1955, the family moved to North Miami Beach, Florida. In the 1990’s they moved to Obrien, Florida.
Jane received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 12. She was a lifelong follower of the Lord. She attended church regularly, taught Sunday School classes, played the piano, and was a choir member. She prayed diligently for the salvation of her husband and three sons, a prayer the Lord answered. She was instrumental in the founding of the Peace Baptist Church of Branford, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her only brother, Jay William, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Vernon Welkner, Jr., her three sons, Vernon (Linda) of Leavenworth, Kansas; Richard (Vivian) of Easley, South Carolina; and Gordon (Debbie) of Acworth, Georgia; her eight grandchildren, Elizabeth, John, Jane, Rachel, Lindsey, Kaitlyn, Zachary, and Kevin; and eleven great-grandchildren; and her five sisters: Billie, Ruth, Susie, Jeanette, and Laura.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2014 at the Peace Baptist Church, Branford, Florida. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Vernon Welkner, III, and the church’s pastor, Reverend John York will officiate at the funeral.
Interment will be at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Peace Baptist Church.
