MARY JANE (KNOX-GANDY) JARVIS was born on August 16, 1941 in Aliceville, Alabama to the parents of Amelia Ann Owens-Knox and Simmie Knox. She was the second oldest of three children, which included two brothers Simmie Knox and Robert D. Gandy.
Mary relocated to St. Louis, Missouri with her parents at an early age. She attended Holy Angels Elementary Catholic School and graduated from Kinloch Senior High School. Before graduating, she met and married Jimmy Jarvis and to this union six children were born.
In 1972, Mary gave her life to Christ. She was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost at Lively Stone Church under the leadership of Bishop Philip L. Scott where she served as a choir member, Missionary and worked in various auxiliaries in the church. After relocating to Missouri City, Texas with her children, she later became a member of Windsor Village Church, under the leadership of Pastor Kirbyjon and Suzette Caldwell.
Mary worked several years for Monsanto, Wagner Electric and worked for several other companies during her professional career. She always had a dream of being an entrepreneur so she attended and graduated from Dudley Cosmetology University. Mary finally fulfilled her dream when she was able to open her first business, a salon called "NU Expression."
Because she had a passion for working with people, after relocating to Missouri City, Texas, Mary began working at Sam's Club as an Event Specialist, which she enjoyed. Many of the customers loved her, and even tried to hire her on the spot as a private nanny - particularly when customers noticed how their children gravitated towards her and treated her as if they had known her for years.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, and three children, Madelyn Doreece Nunn, Jimmy Albert Jarvis, Jr. and Rhonda Rochelle Jarvis.
Mary leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Veronica Renee Jarvis, Mary Ann Jarvis; and one son, Steven Lamont Jarvis; two brothers, Simmie Knox (Roberta) and Robert Gandy (Diana). She also leaves to cherish six grandchildren, Latosha A. Jarvis, Lamar A. Smith, Brittany A. Nunn, Meghan J. Caldwell, Jyair H. Norman, Mariah J. Williams; and two great grandchildren, Laila Knox and Alan (AJ) Day. Finally, she leaves to cherish a host of Godchildren that she loved dearly, nieces, nephews, family members, close friends, associates, co-workers, church members and neighbors.
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