SURRY
Jane May Lord passed away after a brief illness on Feb. 6, 2020. She was born in Charleston, W.Va., on July 23, 1937, to O.E. “Sike” and Myrtle May.
Jane grew up on her grandparents’ farm on Coal River in St. Albans, W.Va. She cherished her memories of life on the farm, swimming in the river and being surrounded by her large extended family.
Jane was voted the most popular girl and the most winning smile in the Class of 1955 at St. Albans High School. After high school, she worked for Bell Atlantic phone company. In the fall of ’55, Jane’s sister told her a nice-looking young man from Maine was visiting his sister who lived next door. Jane and her husband of 62 years, Jerry Lord, had their first date that afternoon, attending a high school football game, and their second that evening, going to a movie in Charleston. Jerry returned home to Maine and soon packed up his ’49 Ford and moved to St. Albans to be with the love of his life. They were married in ’57 and moved to Ellsworth in ’59.
For almost 40 years, Jane taught children at Surry School and was unofficially crowned “Queen of Surry School.” She touched the lives of hundreds of children, sharing her love, hugs and smiles freely. She retired in 2011 and up to the time of her passing, continued to visit the school weekly to read to “her kids,” coming home after each visit talking about the many hugs she received.
Jane loved kayaking, swimming and boating on the bay with Jerry. She was very active in the community, serving on the Surry Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen. She was a founding member of the Surry Historical Society and served as president for many years. She was a member of the Surry Community Improvement Association, Surry Garden Club, East Surry Rural Hall Association, and served as chairman of the House Committee at the Black House for several years.
Jane was a devoted wife, a selfless mother and a loving grandmother. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Gail May King. She is survived by her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Lord; her daughter Joan Lord Kearns and husband, Jim Kearns, of Ellsworth; her daughter Julie Lord and husband, Tim Crowley, of Blue Hill; her sister Angela Sellers and husband, Cam Sellers, of Manteo, N.C.; granddaughter Allie McKowen; step-grandchildren Thea and Eliza Crowley and Andrew, Ryan and Patrick McKowen; special cousins Susan Varney of Nashville, Tenn., and Debbie Sutton of St. Albans, W.Va.; nephew Andrew King of Cross Lanes, W.Va.; and many friends including her dearest friends, Linda Conley and Elizabeth Ehrlenbach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.
All are welcome to attend a service 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at jordanfernald.com.