Jane Willis Thompson Vowell, 88, of Bay City passed away January 8, 2025.  She was born October 19, 1936 in Texarkana, Arkansas to the late John Haywood Thompson, Sr. and Emma Jane Willis Thompson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Woody Gene Vowell, Sr. and siblings John Haywood Thompson, Jr., Tom William Thompson, Franklin Augustus Thompson, Willis Duncan Thompson, Patrick Ednall Thompson and Emma Lucretia Thompson Stewart; children Woody Gene Vowell, Jr. and Edwin Scott Vowell.

Survivors include her children Jane Catherine Baker and husband Reggie, Jennifer Suzanne Vowell, and Julie Katherine Kuzin and husband Anatoly; grandchildren Ryan Compton, Madeline Kuzin, Leah Vowell, Chance Vowell and great grandson Zackary Crocker.

When Jane arrived in 1936, she was celebrated as the first girl in a family of 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls.  She described her childhood as "wonderful" and loved her family deeply.  She was President of the Maroon Jackets at Atlanta High School, go Atlanta Rabbits!  She enjoyed riding horses across the family farm and learned to play the piano, performing recitals at the First United Methodist Church in Atlanta, TX.  Jane continued to play the piano for church services and ceremonies throughout her life.  In 1959, she earned a Bachelors of Science in Education from East Texas State College in Commerce, TX.

Jane and Woody married in 1970, merging families, soon to build a family of 5 children. They travelled the country with Jane teaching and Woody building power-plants until settling in Bay City in 1986.  Jane was an outstanding educator, especially skilled in teaching little ones to read. She retired in 2003 after 35 years of service, but then continued to tutor little ones for many years. She enjoyed the retired life and loved to attend church, Sunday school, book club and the retired teacher's sorority.  However, if you asked Jane what she liked to do, she would respond, "Whatever I want!" . . . and that summed it up.

Life threw plenty of challenges into Jane's life, which she tackled boldly and courageously, with faith, grit and perseverance.  Jane was friendly, spirited (sometimes loudly) and enjoyed friends from all walks of life; you might say she never met a stranger and was endeared to many. Her joy and zest for life was contagious.  It was hard to get Jane "down" and she naturally walked on the "can do" side of life. Her advice for life was, "live it!".

We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:8

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM with Rev. Craig Ashcraft officiating.  Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Anatoly Kuzin, Reggie Baker, Ryan Compton, Jeff King, Clay Allison and Grant Allison.