Mary Jane "Janie" McMeans

Mary Jane (Janie) McMeans passed away on February 26, 2025 in Verona, Virginia.

She was born March 5, 1956, in Bluefield, West Virginia and moved to Augusta County, Virginia in 1964. She was the daughter of the late Samuel Clifford and Ann Barnett McMeans. 

She was a graduate of Fort Defiance High School, Class of 1974 and Lynchburg College, Class of 1978. She taught in the Augusta County Public School system for 44 years at both Verona and Cassell Elementary Schools. She was a student at Verona when it opened, started her teaching career there, and was still teaching there when the school closed. She was also the  co-owner of Simple Expressions Florist in Mount Sidney, Virginia.

Janie had an upbeat, colorful personality and always maintained a happy and optimistic mindset. She was a voracious reader, starting as a child reading stories to Cindy, the family dog.

Janie was pre-deceased over the years by her loving cats—Miller, Mucci, Maddie, and Macy. Her fourth grade students from long ago will remember the book she wrote and read to the class about her first cat, Miller (written from the point of view of the cat, of course!).

Survivors include her brother, William Clifford McMeans (Sandy), her sister, Margaret Louise Walthall (Bruce), and her niece, Marshelle Kay Moore (Chuck). She is also survived by her beloved dog, Monti.

The family will be having a private service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Mission (1513 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401).