
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, 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 and 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.

I send my condolences to the family. I had the opportunity to provide physical therapy for Mrs. McEntire at Housley PT in Marshall and at Country Side in Harrison. She was a fantastic women and I always enjoyed the opportunity to work with her. She will be greatly missed.

Family, I’m so sorry for your loss..
Prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.

I'm really sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for the family.

Madison, Crissy, & Family,
Jamie apparently loved her family well and left many memories that will continue to be cherished! Praying God’s comfort and peace for you now and in the days ahead.
Mike & Lisa Lake

We are so very sorry for your loss. Janie was a wonderful human being and she will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

So sorry to hear about Janie's passing. Janie was a very sweet person and a pleasure to work with. My prayers are with the family. Look to God for strength at this difficult time.

Family, I’m so sorry for your loss..
Prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.

Sending Prayers of peace and comfort for the entire Family.

Thoughts and prayers to Bill, Madison, Amy and families!

I was so sorry to hear about Janie, she always had a smile whenever I saw her! My prayers for all of her family!

Our thoughts and prayers are with our Marshall family,

Bill and family, we are so sorry to hear of Janie's passing. She was a sweet person! Prayers for all!

We are so very sorry for your loss. Praying for your family during this time ❤️🙏. May God bless you all with peace and comfort.

Sending our deepest condolences and prayers to you all.

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.God be with you .Daphne

Bill and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all.

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.

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

Thoughts and prayers for the McEntire Family. Janie was a beautiful person and may she rest in peace!
James & Rebecca Patterson

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.

I am so very sorry to hear of Janie’s passing. You will be in my prayers.

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

Very sorry for your loss. My condolences to all the McEntire family.

Thoughts and prayers for Janie’s family. So sorry for your loss.

Bill I m so sorry for your loss! Janie was a truly nice person when I knew her. Prayers for peace and comfort!

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.

Prayers for all the family, we know she will be missed.

Bill and kids, we are so sorry for your loss of Janie. She was a fine lady.

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.

Our deepest condolences. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

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.

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.

Sorry for the loss sending my condolences 🙏

Our Deepest sympathies. We know how long you have suffered.
Jamie & Margaret

Great woman you are going to be missed my condolences to you Madison and Amy and Bill

So very sorry for your loss. Janie was a special lady. Prayers for your family.

Bill, Amy, and Madison; I’m so sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers for peace and comfort.

Sorry for your loss
Prayers for the family

Janie was a wonderful woman and a great Christian. I admired her all of my life. We should all strive to be like her.

I’m so sorry to hear of Janie’s passing. Prayers to the family.

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.

So sorry for your loss sending you lots of love.

I’m so sorry for your loss Amy and family

So sorry for your lost. Prayers for family

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.

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!

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.

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.

Sending loving thoughts.

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

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.

So sorry to hear of Janie's passing. Prayers for the family.

So sorry to hear. Lovely lady . Prayers for the family

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!

Janie was indeed a treasure! Enjoyed our EH ‘81 club time together! So many happy memories ❤️ My heartfelt condolences to all the family🙏🏻

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.

With deepest sympathy

Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Praying for her family- she was a sweet lady

We send Bill, and her family our deepest sympathy, and prayers. Janie was a very nice lady.

We are so sorry for your loss, prayers for the family

All my love and prayers are sent to you and your family. S he was a very special and loving lady ❤️🙏❤️

Sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.

So sad to hear about sweet Janie. Loved the trips we got to go on together. Our love and prayers for all the family.

My prayers and condolences to the family.

i have known Janie for years. she was a good sweet person and will be missed.
Glenda House and family

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.