Mrs. Janet Ellen Presley of Jackson, Tennessee passed away on December 18, 2022. She was born April 15, 1943, in Jackson but resided most of her life in Sardis, Tennessee. Her parents were Arlis and Willie (Dyer) Bivens. As a child she attended Sardis School and graduated Valedictorian of her senior class in 1961. She graduated from Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson in 1963 magna cum laude with an Associates of Arts degree when it was a two-year school. She finished her Bachelor’s degree at Bethel College in McKenzie, graduating cum laude while teaching full-time and raising a small child. Her master’s degree came in 1973 from what was then known as Memphis State University. She began her 36-year teaching career at Sardis School in 1963, moved to Southside Elementary at Reagan when Sardis closed in 1985, and retired at Scotts Hill High School in 2000 as a senior English teacher. She was a very passionate, encouraging, and beloved teacher. According to her husband she felt her greatest accomplishment was seeing her students become passionate about English Literature, especially poetry. Janet was a prolific poet in her on right, writing many poems over the years. She wrote of family, spirituality, “good ole times”, animals, and anything that got on her mind. They were usually funny or “tear-jerkers” and many of them pointed to her unwavering faith. She would get an idea, go lock herself in her bedroom, and then come out with the finished product. How many times she said to us, “I wrote a new poem. Would you like to hear it?” A few years ago, a couple of books were put together and published for our family containing many of her best ones. We will cherish her work for the rest of our lives as a glimpse inside the mind and soul of this beautiful lady. Her spirituality came from her family and church. She attended Hurricane Primitive Baptist Church for her entire life, becoming a member through baptism on July 27, 1986. She played the piano with great skill and sang with a beautiful singing voice. She loved crossword puzzles, reading her Bible, and Hallmark movies. During her retirement she enjoyed camping with her family and traveling in their RV. She and her husband Jimmy traveled to many of the western states, Vermont, New York state, Florida, Arkansas, and others.
She is survived by her husband Jimmy Presley. She also leaves a son Darryl (Denise) Presley of Jackson, a grandson Luke (Jordan) Presley of Jackson, a grandson Chase (Jeni) Presley of North Liberty, Iowa, and a granddaughter Jade Presley of Germantown, Tennessee. Great-grandchildren include Kit, Cece, Liam, and Reese Presley. She also leaves behind a tiny part of herself in the hearts and minds of the many students she has taught over the years.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 PM, Wednesday, December 21 in the chapel of Pafford Funeral Home in Lexington. Interment will follow in Prospect Cemetery in Sardis. The family will receive friends on Tuesday 4-8 PM and on Wednesday 12-2 PM.
