Mary “Jane” (Taylor) Smoot, 83, formerly of Washington, IN, passed away on November 23, 2025, in Greentown, IN. A funeral service will be held at First Christian Church on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. EST with Reverend Byron Holtslaw officiating. Burial will follow at Bethany Cemetery, Highway 50, Montgomery, IN. Visitation will take place at the church prior to services from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Goodwin Sievers is handling the arrangements.
Jane was born in Washington, IN to John and Imogene (Browning) Taylor on November 4, 1942. She attended Washington High School and graduated in 1960. She attended Vincennes University and completed her bachelor’s degree in education at Oakland City College. She went on to earn her master’s in education at Indiana University. Jane began her nearly 40-year teaching career at the age of 19, teaching elementary school in Chicago Heights, IL. She later taught in Vincennes, IN, and then spent the majority of her career teaching in her hometown of Washington, IN at Westside and Lena Dunn Elementary Schools. In her youth, Jane was involved in Girl Scouts and later became a camp counselor. Some of Jane’s favorite stories were of leading her groups of scouts on weeklong canoe trips at a Girl Scout camp in Missouri. Jane enjoyed being active throughout her life. A few of her many interests included bowling, square dancing, sewing, singing in her church choir, playing piano and organ, and later teaching herself to play the dulcimer. Jane and her late husband, Jim, enjoyed taking road trips. Some of their fondest memories were of introducing their son, Michael, to the Great Smoky Mountains and Jane’s love of tent camping (real camping, according to Jane). Jane was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Washington Chapter #210 for 54 years. She served as Former Grand Representative; Grand Page; and Past Grand Warder. For the past three years, Jane has lived in assisted living in Greentown, IN where she could be close to her son and his family. She formed many friendships in her new community where she enjoyed playing card games, teaching others to play dominoes, and played in the “kitchen band.”
Jane is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jennifer Julian of Windfall, IN, along with her beloved grandchildren, Gretchen Julian (Noblesville, IN) and Logan Julian (Windfall, IN). Other survivors include her brother Richard (Caroline) Taylor of College Station, TX, sister-in-law, Judy Taylor of Petersburg, IN, nephews Stewart (Sherry) Taylor of Evansville, IN and Kent (Kim) Taylor of Jasper, IN and niece Donna (Jeff) Taylor Bouchie of Wheatland, IN, as well as several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jim Smoot, mother-in-law, Norma Smoot, brother, Don Taylor and sister-in-law, Alice (Kettery) Taylor.
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