Rivera, Jayne 1929-2024 Arlington, Texas
By NewsPress Now
ARLINGTON, Texas – Jayne (Martin) Rivera was born on May 24, 1929, in Troy, Kansas, to the late Marguerite Isabelle (Hennis) and George Ellis Martin. She passed away on Sept. 3, 2024, in Arlington, Texas at the age of 95.
Jayne attended Pickett grade school, then in 1947 graduated from Benton High School, home of the Cardinals, in St. Joseph. This is where her love of all-things cardinals began. She proudly played the bass drum in the marching band and stayed in touch with the class of 1947 as much as she could over the years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, in Shawnee, Kansas, Women of the Moose Lodge in Glendale, AZ, and St John the Apostle UMC, in Arlington.
Jayne was one of the most creative women you ever met. It all started behind her sewing machine, followed by her love of drawing, photography, nail art, cooking, painting, making porcelain dolls, and diamond art. She was always ready to design and create clothes, costumes, and quilts for her children and grandchildren; pouring her creativity and love in every piece.
She also loved to dance and particularly loved ballroom dancing, the polka, and square dancing. She loved nothing more than cheering on her grandchildren at every event, game, band concert, talent show, jet-ski race and graduation, never missing anything if she could help it. She had a way of making everyone feel so very loved and celebrated.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, David Wheeler, son and daughter-in-law, Millard Lee and Mindy Wheeler; sister and brother-in-law, Darlyne and Dale Rippey; brother, Michael Martin; and brother-in-law, Bob Fairlie.
Jayne is survived by her sister, Peggy Fairlie, of Parkville, Missouri; daughters, Regina Cansler, of Denver City, Texas, Debbi Blake and husband, Jim, of Shawnee, and Pam Smith and husband, Doug, of Arlington; grandchildren, Becky Kleam and husband, J.J., Adam Klimuck, Meghan Skomp and husband, Jacob, Sean Blake and wife, Keisha, Steve Blake and wife, Heather, Chris Smith and wife, Laura, Jessica Fittery and husband, Brian, and Katie Smith; great-grandchildren, Morgan Still and husband, Ty, Jaden, Jaxon, McCoy, Maverick, Heather, Kaley, Kyle, Jace, Lita Wreath and husband, Cameron, Logan, Meghan, Jordan, Brittany, Sydney, Stephen Jr., Codey, Mady, and Peyton; great-great- grandchildren, Dakoda, Karlie, Joelle, and Alexander; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members and a host of friends.
Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Rupp Funeral Home, St Joseph. Burial to follow at Bethel Cemetery, in DeKalb, Missouri.
Online condolence, obituary and public livestream of service www.ruppfuneral.com As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
