Jane Ellen Davis

Jane Ellen Sinclair Davis, loving wife and mother of two children, passed away in Rome, GA after a long battle with Alzheimer’s dementia on December 21, 2022.

Jane Ellen was born to the late Rossie and Ernest Sinclair on November 13, 1940 in Prentiss, MS. Her sister, Tommie Lou Ball of Brandon, MS, survives her. She grew up as a daughter of a farmer/dairyman and a school teacher. She graduated from Prentiss High School where she was voted beauty, best dressed, and she served as drum major. She attended college for one year at Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, MS and followed with nursing school at Gilfoy School of Nursing at Baptist Hospital School in Jackson, MS. During her time at Gilfoy, she was selected Miss Student Nurse of MS. She was a pediatric head nurse and then became a surgical nurse for Dr. Buddy Griffin, a general surgeon in Jackson, MS. She met her husband Woody and after a short courtship, they married in Prentiss, MS and started their lives together in Jackson, MS where Woody was doing his internship. Active duty in the Air Force took them to San Antonio and then Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, TX. They started their family in TX and went on to have two children, Brad and Jennifer.

She transitioned to a homemaker after Woody set up his ophthalmology practice in Meridian, MS, where they spent their entire lives until moving to Rome, GA in Fall 2020 to be closer to family.

Jane Ellen was active at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian, MS, where she held positions on several committees and loved her time serving as a church greeter--she had a smile for everyone that came through the doors. She had a love for all of her friends and enjoyed serving her community in many ways. Jane Ellen was active in Junior Auxiliary, Garden Club, Questers Antique Club and played tennis for many years. Her passion was for her grandchildren and she was often known for being a “baby whisperer.” She had a gift for calming a crying child. She was tenderhearted, sought out those who were hurting and never wished to be in the spotlight for anything. She enjoyed gardening, antiquing and was a wonderful hostess and a true Proverbs 31 woman.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rossie Thomas Sinclair and Ernest Barnes Sinclair. She is survived by her husband Woody of 55 years, and her two children Brad (wife Leigh) and Jennifer Barbieri (husband Chris). She was blessed with five granddaughters: Peyton (Chad) Reed, Addison Davis, Avery Davis, Anna Grace and Sarah Barbieri and a great grandson Rowan Reed. She also leaves one nephew Brian (Stephanie) Ball of Brandon, MS and their children Hunter and Haley.

A memorial service will be held on January 28, 2023 at 11 AM at Central United Methodist Church in Meridian, MS. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9 AM to 10:45 AM.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1706, Meridian, MS 39302.