Jane Street Steele

Jane Street Steele, 87, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, February 2, surrounded by her children. She was born on November 28, 1934, in Charlotte NC, the daughter of Ruth Wallace and Clarence Parke Street. She was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Street Montague and Ruth Street Ide, as well as one brother, Edward Robert Street.

She attended Charlotte public schools as a girl and graduated from the Holton-Arms High School in Washington, DC. She graduated from Sweet Briar College, Virginia, in 1956.

In 1959, she moved to Raleigh, NC with her first husband, John Wall Liles Jr, just after the birth of her first child, John Wall Liles III. She immediately began a life of service to others when she joined the Junior League of Raleigh. She especially enjoyed helping young students with their studies. In 1966 she welcomed her daughter Mary Howerton Liles into the family. In 1975, she began a position as manager of the Rex Hospital Credit Union. She helped edit the Rex Hospital newsletter during this time as well.

Jane’s faith was a very important part of her life. She was a member of Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church for 25 years, where she served on several committees and sang in the choir. After her second marriage to Henry Miller Steele in 1987, she became a member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church where she continued her life of faith and service. She served as a circle Pastor’s aide and was a Stephen Minister for many years. She was a member of the New Beginnings Koinonia group and the Theological Forum Sunday School class.

For many years, Jane enjoyed her volunteer work as a docent for the North Carolina Museum of the Arts, serving as president and NCMA Docent Organizer during part of this time. She became a Docent Emeritus in 2006. During her time as a docent, she actively continued to learn about the history of the art she loved and was able to travel with the docent program to enrich her knowledge. She was a member of the Raleigh Fine Arts Society for 20 years and served on the Literary Contest Committee, acting as chairman in 1996-97. She enjoyed supporting the NC Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the Coley Forest Garden Club.

Jane was a life-long learner. She enjoyed being a member of several book clubs. With her husband Henry, they traveled to many Elderhostels all over the world, continuing to learn about history and investigating the world.

Jane is survived by a son, John Liles (Mary Beth) of Pinehurst, NC and a daughter, Mary Liles of Raleigh. She is also survived by three stepchildren Susan Steele Saito (Tim), Russell Steele (Margie), and John Steele (Beverly), a step-granddaughter Lauren Beck (Randy, children – Lincoln and Rowan), and step-grandson Kyle Steele. She had an extended family of many loving nieces and nephews who meant the world to her.

The family appreciates the care and support which has been given to our mother by the staff at Springmoor Retirement Center and the Stewart Health Center.

A memorial service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 18th at 2 pm. A visitation will follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Jane’s memory.