of Marshall, AR
June 20, 1943 - September 11, 2025
Mary Jane McEntire, age 82 of Marshall, Arkansas passed from this life on Thursday, September 11th, 2025, at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison, Arkansas. She was born in Willow Springs, Missouri on June 20, 1943, to Crockett Dale Beavers and Gertrude Ward Beavers.
Janie attended the First Christian Church as long as her health allowed. She developed dementia and spent her final years in memory care. Unlike her memory, her loving personality, good humor, ever-present smile, and sparkling eyes never left her. Janie had a kind and giving soul. Janie was a graduate of the Marshall High School Class of 1961 and enjoyed keeping in touch with classmates as well as attending the annual MHS Alumni Banquet. She forged lifelong friendships while attending Marshall Schools and always enjoyed organizing and attending her class reunions. Janie began working for the Soil Conservation Service in 1976, (later renamed the Natural Resource Conservation Service) and held the position as district secretary until she retired after 35 years. Having grown up in a farm family, she enjoyed working with local farmers throughout the district. She was a founding member of the E.H. '81 Extension Club. She treasured the friendships that developed from working with a great group of ladies to foster leadership within communities through various means, including volunteering and organizing events and projects to benefit their communities. Janie enjoyed baking and sewing immensely. She was always ready to whip up a chocolate pie at a moment's notice. According to her grandson Will, her brown beans and ham were legendary, with or without the cornbread. Will would say that "nobody makes brown beans like Granny." Her love of sewing was initially born of need, but she gladly passed her knowledge to her daughter at an early age. While she would sew, she would keep a three-year-old Amy busy with a scrap of fabric, large button, and blunt needle-and then stop to untangle the mess (quite often.) Janie had a tireless work ethic, instilling in her children the importance of hard work, a clean house, a nice yard, and pulling weeds (even if Madison wouldn't eat the garden vegetables.) In the summertime, it was common for Madison and Amy to wake up to a lengthy list of chores that had to be completed before any summer fun could be had. Janie and the kids spent summer days at Papa Dale's farm, helping maintain their large garden. They would shuck corn, shell peas, snap green beans, and the least favorite of Amy's: picking up potatoes. Their nickname for her was "Sarge." Janie and Bill attended all their children's school events, whether it be basketball games to watch Madison play, or football games to watch Amy march in the band. Beta Club and FFA events, band concerts, they never missed a one. Janie loved to play games and put together jigsaw puzzles. Dominoes and Scrabble were favorites of her and Madison, but she also enjoyed many card games. It was the laughter and togetherness around the table that she cherished. She had a very sharp mind and could work Sudoku puzzles in no time at all. Holidays were always treasured in later years, when everyone was together and the dominoes didn't remain in the box for very long. Janie enjoyed traveling very much. Family trips to Branson, St. Louis, Kansas City, Houston were common, and if there was a major league baseball stadium nearby, the family was in attendance at a game. She, like the rest of the family, loved baseball. Later, extended trips to Europe and Hawaii were among her favorites. She enjoyed history, so many family trips when the children were young were spent as learning adventures. Visits to Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois, George Washington Carver's birthplace, Harry Truman's birthplace, Vicksburg battlefield were some of the sites the family enjoyed. There was even a trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Fredricksburg, Maryland in later years. Understanding where and how our country evolved was of interest to her. She enjoyed bus trips with friends to numerous locations. One family anecdote that cannot be omitted is how she left Bill in the hospital to battle kidney stones on his own, as she had a plane to catch to Hawaii, and he wasn't on the itinerary. Another event of note is that Janie got her first grandchild (Mackenzie) and indoor puppy (Domino) in the same year. She was beyond thrilled with both. Becoming a grandmother caused her to have an ever-present radiant smile, and soon Domino was running the house, and she happily let him. Domino was her faithful companion for over 15 years. The arrival of grandson Will a few years later only made that smile brighter. She deeply loved her grandchildren and often would indulge them as was her job as a grandparent.
Janie is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill McEntire of Marshall; son Madison McEntire and his wife Crissy, of Bryant; daughter Amy McEntire and her husband Michael Harris, of Marshall; granddaughter Mackenzie Shelton and her husband Dakota, of Benton (Cash & Cayden); grandson Will McEntire and his fiancé Caitlyn Wyrick of Rogers; sister Donna Kay McGee and husband Jerry of Cypress, Texas; nephew Ward McGee of Cypress; niece Martha McGee and husband Kevin Eyre of Cypress; great niece Jessica Massey of Mountain Home; great niece Abbie McGee, and great nephews Clay Snyder and Charlie Eyre, all of Cypress, Texas.
Janie is preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Gertrude Beavers; and sister, Sue Wilburn.
Funeral services for Janie will be 11:00 AM Monday, September 15th, 2025 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Roy Ragland and Crissy McEntire officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 till 11:00 AM preceding the service. Burial will be in Marshall Memorial Gardens. Bearers will be Brent Clark, Ricky Reed, Corey Jones, John Steen, Rick Horton and Sid Lowrance. Honorary bearers will be Dakota Shelton and Will McEntire.
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53 Condolence(s)
Daphne Warren
Sunday, September 14, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.God be with you .Daphne
Diane Bing Shelnutt
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Bill and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all.
Melba Ward
Saturday, September 13, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of Janie's passing. She was a very special person to me. Prayers for all family and friends. Loved her smile.
Jim and Debbie Horton
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Janie’s smile was always the first thing to greet you and left a lasting impress ion to anyone lucky enough to meet her. Our hearts go out to the family during this time of loss Janie will be missed
Rebecca Patterson
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Thoughts and prayers for the McEntire Family. Janie was a beautiful person and may she rest in peace!
James & Rebecca Patterson
Jack Brown
Saturday, September 13, 2025
I am so sorry to hear Janie has passed. I have so many cherished memories of time spent at the McEntire home - shooting pool in the garage, playing trivial pursuit, watching countless Razorback games . . . Janie was always so thoughtful, kind and giving, and she and Bill clearly created a welcoming and loving home. I will miss her. My heart goes out to the McEntire family.
Brenda Lewis
Saturday, September 13, 2025
I am so very sorry to hear of Janie’s passing. You will be in my prayers.
yvonne kimbrell
Saturday, September 13, 2025
I just now found out about Janie's passing and I am so so sorry to hear this. She was a truly sweet person and so kind.Iwill be praying for you Bill and your family. Yvonne
Jon Lucas
Friday, September 12, 2025
Very sorry for your loss. My condolences to all the McEntire family.
LINDA NEWMAN
Friday, September 12, 2025
Thoughts and prayers for Janie’s family. So sorry for your loss.
Kay Balentine Knight
Friday, September 12, 2025
Bill I m so sorry for your loss! Janie was a truly nice person when I knew her. Prayers for peace and comfort!
Wendy Hendrix
Friday, September 12, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of Janie's passing. Janie holds a special place in my heart. I worked with her when I started my career in Conservation. She was always kind and patient. She will be deeply missed.
Thomas and Dona VanKirk
Friday, September 12, 2025
Prayers for all the family, we know she will be missed.
Wesley and Loretta Smith
Friday, September 12, 2025
Bill and kids, we are so sorry for your loss of Janie. She was a fine lady.
Jennifer Sholtis
Friday, September 12, 2025
Janie’s kind heart and sweet soul will be missed by all the people she leaves behind. I’m sorry for your loss and am sending prayers of comfort during your time of mourning.
Alan and Connie Ashley
Friday, September 12, 2025
Our deepest condolences. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Richard Drewry
Friday, September 12, 2025
Janie holds a special place in my heart. Praying God will give comfort and peace to family as only He can during this difficult time.
Freda Owens Hall
Friday, September 12, 2025
I am so sorry to hear about Janie’s passing. I I know your pain. It is so hard to loose a sister. I will keep you in my prayers and my thoughts.
Nathaniel cotton
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Sorry for the loss sending my condolences 🙏
James Johnston
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Our Deepest sympathies. We know how long you have suffered.
Jamie & Margaret
Heath McEntire
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Great woman you are going to be missed my condolences to you Madison and Amy and Bill
Bill and Zebbie McBride
Thursday, September 11, 2025
So very sorry for your loss. Janie was a special lady. Prayers for your family.
Sara Ford
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Bill, Amy, and Madison; I’m so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers for peace and comfort.
Dewayne & Tonya Keisler
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Sorry for your loss
Prayers for the family
Dawn&Don Bush
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Janie was a wonderful woman and a great Christian. I admired her all of my life. We should all strive to be like her.
Sherry Mathis Starkey
Thursday, September 11, 2025
I’m so sorry to hear of Janie’s passing. Prayers to the family.
Nancy Jones
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Sorry to hear of Janie's passing. She always had a kind word and smile on her face. She had a way of making you feel special. Praying comfort and peace to your family knowing she is resting with the Lord. God be with you.
Amanda Smyth
Thursday, September 11, 2025
So sorry for your loss sending you lots of love.
Ashley Wells
Thursday, September 11, 2025
I’m so sorry for your loss Amy and family
Linda Hertter
Thursday, September 11, 2025
So sorry for your lost. Prayers for family
Connie Rushimg Myrick
Thursday, September 11, 2025
I’m sorry to hear about Janie passing. She was a very sweet lady and loved her family. Praying for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Joe & Kelly Bennett
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Bill and family, we are so sorry for your loss . Take comfort in knowing you all ( and friends ) will see her again on the other side. She was a sweet lady with a beautiful smile!
Barbara Lane
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Prayers for her husband, Bill, and her children and grandchildren. I remember when she worked in the Home extension office I think that’s what it was called there by where the Post Office used to be. I would go with my mom when I was in high school to see her and for my mom to get whatever it was she needed from her. She was a very sweet lady. She raised a beautiful family, and she will be missed by her loved ones.
Albert & Anna Maze
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Bill, Madison, Amy and families. We are so sorry to hear about Janie. We pray you find comfort in knowing where she is today and that you can see her again one day. She will be missed here but always be in your hearts. Prayers for you all.
Judy Mabe
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Sending loving thoughts.
Brent Clark
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Janie was one of a kind. I got to work with her and she was an amazing person and helped me so, so much. If Ricky and I would cut up(mainly Ricky) she would always say “Be nice!” I cherish the memories from those days. Prayers to Bill and family!
Brent and Jill Clark
Pam and Eddie Cannada
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Bill, Amy and Madison, my heart aches for you all right now. Janie was one of my favorite cousins and I loved her so much. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gail Feese
Thursday, September 11, 2025
So sorry to hear of Janie's passing. Prayers for the family.
Sherrill Jackson Watts
Thursday, September 11, 2025
So sorry to hear. Lovely lady . Prayers for the family
Roger and Angie Johnson
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Bill and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Janie’s passing. We know she is in a perfect place with her Savior but I know you will all miss seeing her smile! Your family is in our thoughts and prayers!
Judy Branscum
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Janie was indeed a treasure! Enjoyed our EH ‘81 club time together! So many happy memories ❤️ My heartfelt condolences to all the family🙏🏻
Rick and Janice Horton
Thursday, September 11, 2025
We are so sorry to hear of Janie’s passing. Janie was a special person and friend. Praying for peace and comfort and strength as you grieve your loss.
Nina Baysinger
Thursday, September 11, 2025
With deepest sympathy
D. L. & Peggy Adams
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim & Pam Massey
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Praying for her family- she was a sweet lady
Eddie, and Kathy Morrison
Thursday, September 11, 2025
We send Bill, and her family our deepest sympathy, and prayers. Janie was a very nice lady.
Jackie & Don Koppenhaver
Thursday, September 11, 2025
We are so sorry for your loss, prayers for the family
Sally Wilson
Thursday, September 11, 2025
All my love and prayers are sent to you and your family. S he was a very special and loving lady ❤️🙏❤️
Sonya Parks
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
James and Leada Horton
Thursday, September 11, 2025
So sad to hear about sweet Janie. Loved the trips we got to go on together. Our love and prayers for all the family.
Bruce Stewart
Thursday, September 11, 2025
My prayers and condolences to the family.
glenda house
Thursday, September 11, 2025
i have known Janie for years. she was a good sweet person and will be missed.
Glenda House and family
Lacy Lynn Smith
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Sad to see this. Rest assured She was loved by. Bill and family you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all. Rest sweet Lady in the arms of our Savior.