MARY JANE BARNETT

July 19, 1908 - April 15, 1997Miss Mary Jane "Ms Jane" Barnett, 617 North Sunset Blvd., a businesswoman and long time patron of the arts, died Tuesday, April 15, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was 88 years old.

Miss Barnett was born July 19, 1908 in Litchfield, Illinois, daughter of William and Bertha Barnett.

Miss Barnett attended grade and high schools in Carrollton, Illinois. She attended Illinois Women's College in Jacksonville, Normal School in Bloomington, as well as Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. After graduating she taught in three Southeast Missouri high schools.

She moved to Cape Girardeau in 1938 and joined Elaine "Tommie" Davis in business at the Co-Op Drug (later known as The Co-Op Boutique) which remained open until 1991.

In 1956 Miss Barnett was a member of the Cape Symphony. She was a member of The Downtown Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as being active in other organizations. Miss Barnett was a member of the First Christian Church of Peoria, Illinois.

In 1959 Miss Barnett and the late Elaine "Tommie" Davis established the Davis-Barnett Awards given annually to outstanding young people associated with the Southeast Missouri University Theater. She was an active patron of the University Theater for many years.

Miss Barnett was preceded in death by a nephew, Terry Doyle and by her business partner of 43 years, Miss Elaine "Tommie" Davis.

She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Doyle of Peoria, Illinois and many loving friends.

Following cremation, burial will be in Carrollton City Cemetery in Carrollton, Ill.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 10, 1997 at 2:00 o'clock p.m. at the Forrest H. Rose Theater located on the Southeast Missouri University Campus.

Memorials may be sent to the following: Downtown Merchants Association, Davis-Barnett Award Fund c/o Southeast Missouri University Foundation and Southeast Hospice Program.