Mary Jane Buse

1947 - 2023

Mary Jane Megginson Buse, 76, was born June 27, 1947 in Tupelo, MS. She died August 21, 2023 in Tupelo, MS. Mary Jane grew up in Tupelo, MS where she attended Tupelo High School, graduated in 1965 and was involved in many activities including cheerleading, Dixie Deb, and having fun with her friends.

Mary Jane attended most colleges in Mississippi before settling down at what was "The W" in Columbus where she discovered her passion for teaching. Over a 30-plus-year career in education, she taught at Mooreville, several Schools in Tupelo, and finally settled and retired at New Albany Middle School. While teaching, Mary Jane gained lifelong friends and most of her prior students remember her as always being caring, loving and most of all lots of fun. Mary Jane could be found working on the yearbook, coaching the cheerleading squad, working with VICA and DECA, all while vigorously caring for her family at home.

Mary Jane's home away from home was at Pickwick Lake. She loved anything that had to do with time on the lake with her family and friends. She and her husband Larry retired to the lake and took numerous trips up and down the Tennessee River. Mary Jane's love of the lake was infectious and many lifelong memories were created together with family and friends. Mary Jane loved having a house full of people and was known by all as the life of the party.

Mary Jane had a strong faith that originated from her upbringing and she passed along this faith to her family. After her retirement she taught Sunday School for several years and was instrumental in the Women's Ministry at Riverton Community Church in Cherokee, AL.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Larry Buse, to whom she WAS married June 27, 1976. Larry served faithfully as her caretaker for many years as she fought Alzheimer's. She is also survived by her son, Beau (Beth) Buse of Saltillo, MS; her daughter, Brandy (David) McClain of Saltillo, MS; her brother, Richard (Shiela) Megginson, of Tupelo, MS; her beloved grandchildren who called her "May May", Bennett and Liz Buse and Jackson and AJ McClain. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Burl and Lorette Bennett Megginson of New Albany, MS.

A memorial service celebrating her life will begin at 6 PM Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo Chapel with Dr. Bryan Collier officiating. Visitation will begin at 4 PM Thursday. Mary Jane's final wishes were to be cremated and her ashes scattered at her special place, Pickwick Lake. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at 6 PM at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming, where it will be archived afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, 1190 East Coronada Rd, Tuscon, AZ, or see 85749.https://arpf.donorshops.com/product/Tribute/tributedonation.php

Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve their friends. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.