Mary Jane Tarpley, 72, of Dyersburg, TN, passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Tennova Healthcare Dyersburg Regional.

She was born on May 10, 1946, in Finger, TN, to the late Robert Benjamin "R.B." Barham and the late Virgie Irene Ervin Barham. Mary Jane attended Finger Elementary and Junior High School. She graduated from Chester County High School in 1964. She attended Freed-Hardeman University for two years. In 1968 Mary Jane received her B.S. in Education from Union University. Five years later, in 1973, she graduated from the University of Memphis with a Master of Education Degree. Mary Jane was a retired teacher, where she taught elementary school for 40 years in Madison County, Chester County, Memphis and Dyersburg Systems. She received a "Teacher of the Year" award from the Dyersburg City School System. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, where she taught a children's Sunday School Class for many years.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Dyersburg with the Rev. Mike Hickman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Henderson, TN. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, 2018 at the church.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Douglas "Buck" Tarpley of Dyersburg; two uncles; and several cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Allyson Meredith Tarpley; and a son, Jason Douglas Tarpley.

Pallbearers will be Mike Ray, Carl House, Kenneth Ladd, David Earhart, Greg Ervin and David Ervin. Honorary pallbearer will be Milton Magee.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memory of Jason and Allyson Tarpley.