Jane Ross (1920 - 1999)

Born 23 Dec 1920 in Arkadelphia, Clark, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Jul 1999 at age 78 in Arkadelphia, Clark, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Jane Ross is Notable.

Corporal Jane Ross served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: 17 Jul 1943
Unit(s): United States Women's Army Corps
Service ended: 31 Jan 1946

Jane Ross was born on December 23, 1920 in Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas. The daughter of Hugh Thomas Ross and Esther (Clark) Ross. She grew up in Arkadelphia and graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1938. After graduation, she attended Henderson State Teachers College (now Henderson State University) and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942.^[1][2]

She served as a US Navy photographer in Washington DC, before enlisting in the Women's Army Air Corps on July 17, 1944. She was sent to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia for training, and later assigned as a photographic technician, where she traveled to Wilmington, Delaware and Manchester, New Hampshire. During her time in the service, she was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theather Medal, and Victory Medal. She was discharged from the Army on January 31, 1946 with the rank of Corporal.^[1][2]

After the war, she studied color photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. She received her degree from the institution in 1947. She then returned to Arkadelphia and opened a photography studio, "Photos by Ross". In 1955, after the death of her father, he left the studio and helped with the family business. A timber company started by her great grandfather, J. G. Clark. She became chairwomen of the business and heiress to the fortune her family had amassed.^[1][2]

In 1966, together with her mother, she started the "Ross Foundation", a philanthropic organization, and after the death of her mother, she became chairwomen of the foundation. In 1972, she helped establish the "Clark County Historical Association". Through her foundations, she primarily helped with financial assistance in educational programs and for the most part in Clark County, Arkansas. Her foundation was also supported of both the colleges Henderson State University and the Ouachita Baptist University. Apart from her help with educational programs, she also funded preservations for wildlife, such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers. She also funded hiking trails in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. The foundation also helped fund the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, and "Group Living" in Arkadelphia.^[1][2]

During her life, she also served in many local public positions, including the Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts, and Rotary Club. She received numerous awards, including being named the "Honorary Paul Harris Fellow" by the Arkadelphia Rotary Club, Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame, Philanthropist of the Year, and the "Purple and Gold Award" by Ouachita Baptist University.^[1][2]

Jane never married, and she died on July 9, 1999 in Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas. She was buried at Rose Hill Cemtery in the same city.^[1][2][3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} Wikipedia Contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last edited on 4 Dec 2021. "Jane Ross (philanthropist)." Accessed 15 Apr 2023.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Northern, Christin, Ouachita Baptist University, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 11 Mar 2021. "Jane Ross (1920–1999)." Accessed 15 Apr 2023.
3. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6883703/jane-ross: accessed 15 April 2023), memorial page for Jane Ross (23 Dec 1920–9 Jun 1999), Find A Grave: Memorial #6883703, citing Rose Hill Cemetery, Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Arkieologist (contributor 47246586).