Jan Lee Arnold

Jan Elizabeth (Lee) Arnold, 63, of Jackson, formerly of Carthage, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, surrounded by her family. Jan's valiant battle with cancer was an inspiration to anyone who was privileged to know her.

Jan was born on April 5, 1947, in Philadelphia, MS and was the daughter of the late Paul and Mildred (Speed) Lee. Jan is survived by her three daughters, Elizabeth Arnold, Mary (Arnold) Kelly, and Carolyn Arnold; her son-in-law Patrick Kelly, and three grandchildren, Katherine, Bennett, and Cappie Kelly all of Jackson, Mississippi. She is also survived by two brothers, John Paul Lee of Forest and her twin, Jerry Lee of Madison, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jan graduated with honors from Carthage High School. She received her Bachelors Degree in English from Mississippi University for Women (MUW), where she was a member of the D'Belle, Jester and Hottentot Social Clubs. She was also a member of Pi Tau Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, Kappa Delta Epsilon and Mortar Board. In addition, she served as treasurer of the Student Christian Association and as a council member of the Baptist Student Union. Following graduation, Jan obtained her Master's Degree in English from Mississippi College, and followed in her mother's footsteps by becoming an English teacher. Jan left teaching to start a family, and devoted her life to care for her three daughters.

Jan was a passionate member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Community and was actively involved in the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association. Jan owned several Plantation Pleasure World Champions, including Dance the Night Away, which she rode to a Plantation Pleasure World Championship in the 1989 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Jan also rode a Tennessee Walking Horse in the 1991 Rose Bowl Parade in California.

Jan was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Jackson, where she taught Sunday School and English in the International Ministry. Jan also traveled to Africa on a mission trip with local mission group, "Educating Africans for Christ" (EAFC). Jan was also an involved member of the MUW Alumnae Association, serving as chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the MUW Foundation and leading several of their annual fund-raising drives. She was a longtime member of the Potpourri Luncheon Club. Jan loved her horses and English Springer Spaniels. Jan also loved to travel, read, and spend time with friends and family, who enjoyed her graciousness and dry wit.

Jan was a loving and devoted Christian mother and friend. The most important part of her life was a deep faith in her Lord. Her friends and family remember her as someone who was always positive and kind hearted, never judgmental, and who offered unconditional love. Jan's faith and love for God were evident in many ways as she battled cancer. Even during her illness, she maintained a spirit of gratitude, thanking God daily that she did not have to endure terrible pain and that she had friends and family who encouraged, visited, and prayed for her. She repeatedly commented that she felt all the prayers that were lifted on her behalf.

During the past two years, she was blessed with an outpouring of support, love and prayers. Her family is deeply grateful to all of her friends for the support and love they gave to Jan during her very difficult journey, and would especially like to thank Kathleen Conway, Kenny Heard, and Maxine Flynt. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A celebration of her life will be held in the chapel at First Baptist Church in Jackson at 3pm on Friday, June 11, 2010, followed by burial at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2010, from 5pm until 8pm at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS, and in the chapel at First Baptist Church of Jackson at 2pm on Friday.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Wind Child Farms/Jan Arnold Riding Scholarship, 113 Meadowview Dr., Brandon, MS 39047; or to EAFC, PO Box 5303, Jackson MS 39236 in her memory.