Mary Jane Yorke

Mary Jane Yorke was born August 23, 1946 in the Little Griffin Hospital in Valdosta, Georgia. Her parents Robert Parzilla and Rebecca Cora (Adams) Yorke were so excited, after having tried for ten years to have a child. They brought home their black-haired, green-eyed little girl to their mini farm on Lakeland Avenue. And there began the life of an ever-curious, outgoing, courageous, kind and determined woman. As a young girl, Mary Jane took ballet and tap lessons at Marie Crockett’s dance studio and acting lessons from Dorothy Carter. Proudly, she was a member of the Lone Ranger’s Club and held a Secret Squadron Badge. Mary Jane’s love of reading began around age 5. She would visit the library, checking out five books per week, returning the next week to check out five more. This voracious appetite for learning and knowledge continued her whole life long. Importantly, Mary Jane was known early on for her compassion for the vulnerable, the elderly and anyone of hard fortune. She sought these people out to offer support and comfort even as a child.

Mary Jane attended Sallas–Mahone Elementary School, Valdosta Junior High School and Lowndes High School. In high school, Mary Jane was a member of the Science Club, Student Council, Inter Club Council, Tri Hi Y, the Drama Club and the Yearbook Committee. In fact, Mary Jane was the Editor of the yearbook her senior year. She was the 1964 Miss Lowndes High, the Lowndes High Homecoming Queen, the Future Farmers of America Sweetheart, winner of the Beta Club Talent Show two years running and was a Lowndes High Senior Superlative, an honor bestowed upon a small number of seniors for outstanding contributions to the school across a host of criteria. At age 15/16, Mary Jane became an Avon Sales Representative and she taught all the girls about makeup. She was definitely a trend setter. Mary Jane was an excellent seamstress and made many of her own outfits. Her style and sense of fashion always set her apart in any crowd.

Between high school and college, Mary Jane married and gave birth to her two children: Theresa Robin Rodgers Moore (Little Robin) and James Nicholas Rodgers, II (Jimbo). These two babies brought light to her life and she made sure they knew it every one of her days. Robin and Jim gave Mary Jane four grandchildren to whom she became known as “Chacha”: William Dwight Moore, James Nicholas Rodgers, III, Jessica Starling Moore and Clark McKinney Rodgers. Mary Jane was the perfect “Chacha”. She shared all her passions with these four, passing down her love of nature, old-timer wisdom, the joy of adventures big and small, the occasional risqué story and a love never ending.

When her children, Robin and Jim, were toddling and ready, Mary Jane began her collegiate studies at Valdosta State College (VSC). She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree. After VSC, Mary Jane worked for six years with the State of Georgia Department of Labor. In these years, Mary Jane’s innate instinct to help those in need continued to shine. She worked hard to assist the unemployed, serving from offices in Valdosta, Tifton and Atlanta. At the age of 32, Mary Jane boldly decided to pursue a law degree at Mercer University Law School in Macon, Georgia. Three years later, in 1981, she graduated with a Juris Doctor of Law, moved back to Valdosta and established herself as a general practitioner. On the day of her graduation from law school, her mother, siblings and children were all so very proud of her. Mary Jane was a trailblazing pioneer in this regard. There were no female attorneys within a wide swath of Lowndes County. She was a strong-minded lawyer who always, always did the right thing. Mary Jane was a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Association of Trial Lawyers. She was well known around these parts.

In the late 1990s, Mary Jane found her niche, an area of practice where using her legal background allowed her to positively impact many lives. Her clients were small to medium sized private business owners, family farmers of all kinds (fishing boat operators, quarry business and the like). She oversaw the process of connecting these businesses with pools of workers during their busy seasons. She removed the stress and risk of compliance with the extensive governmental rules and regulations. Her clients and the workers themselves, every single one, were grateful to, and revered, her. She allowed many small farming operations and families to thrive. She found this work to be fulfilling.

Mary Jane officially retired at the age of 70. In this last chapter, Mary Jane pursued the hobbies and interests that brought her the most joy. She found peace in the woods around her Ocean Pond home. She loved spending time with the Lake Park Quilting Club. She made numerous quilts for her children and grandchildren. She sewed, studied scripture, emersed herself in nature, learned to scuba dive, continued to read the printed word across an amazing range of topics, studied history and genealogy, fished whenever possible and spent precious time with family and friends. She was a collector of antiques, fabrics, artifacts and nature’s treasures. In these years, she also found her most faithful friend, her German Sheppard Zinka, who protected and watched over her in her times of need.

Mary Jane passed peacefully on January 9, 2025 with her children by her side.

Mary Jane is survived by her children: Robin Rodgers Moore (Jay) and Jim Rodgers (Jackie); her grandchildren: Will Moore, Cole Rodgers (Alden), Jessica Moore and Clark Rodgers; her great grandson: Strickland Moore; her siblings: Robin Irene Yorke Trammell (Sid) and Bobby Yorke; her nieces and nephews: Bucky Davis, Becky Platt, Jay Pettigrew, Austin Yorke, Corrie Yorke Ravede, Blair Yorke and Ben Dalzotto; and great nieces and nephews: Autumn Eckwahl, Addison Platt, Christian Davis, Noah Pettigrew, Sammy Grace Pettigrew and Emery Pettigrew.

Her family will miss her terribly until they meet again.

Services for Mary Jane will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday February 8, 2025 in the chapel of the McLane Lakewood Funeral Home followed by a Celebration of Life at the Ocean Pond Clubhouse to begin at 12:30 pm. Mary Jane always loved a good party at the Clubhouse. If inclined, please stop by to share Mary Jane stories. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Lowndes County Historical Society.

Psalm 91:4 For he will cover you with his feathers. And under his wings, you will find refuge.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mclanefuneralservices.com

McLane Lakewood Funeral Home