A move to Florida didn?t stop Jane Ann Everitt from remembering her roots and leaving a lasting legacy to honor her Scott County ties. Through several gifts in her estate plan to the Scott County Community Foundation, local organizations will benefit from her generosity for years to come. The Southern Indiana roots of her family run deep to William Conway Everett (before the advent of the ?Scott County spelling? of their surname), who settled in Scott County prior to 1840; to the Garriott and Zaring ancestors who settled in Washington County prior to 1820; and to the McCullough ancestors who settled in Scott County prior to 1840.
Jane Ann Everitt was born March 27, 1933 to Robert Weldon and Marietta Garriott Everitt. She was the second child and only sister to her three brothers. She grew up with her family and a large extended family in Scottsburg, the hometown of both her parents. Bob and Marietta grew up going to the same church, attending the Scottsburg schools for 12 years, and graduating together in the Scottsburg High School Class of 1927. They owned and operated Everitt?s Grocery on the Square in Scottsburg from 1939 until they retired in 1976. Jane was a lifelong member of Scottsburg United Methodist Church.
Jane Ann graduated from Scottsburg High School in 1951. After earning a bachelor?s degree from Indiana University in 1955, where she was a member and served as President of Delta Zeta sorority, she taught in Columbus for two years at an elementary school. Her sorority offered her a chance to return to IU as a counselor, which gave her paid housing to work on her master?s degree, which she completed in 1958. She then relocated to Florida and the warmer weather, where she served as a counselor until retirement in 1995. During her career she was named in the ?Outstanding Young Women of America? biographical compilation of women ages 21 to 35. Her selection was based on unselfish service to others, charitable activities, community service, professional excellence, business advancement, and civic and professional recognition. Among her greatest joys in retirement was staying in touch with her former students and colleagues.
?People ask me and say, ?You?ve got experience at all levels, what is your favorite??? recalled Jane Ann in an article published in the IU School of Education magazine. ?I loved all the levels,? she shared. ?All of them had something very special for me to learn, and I felt that I could contribute something.?
Jane Ann?s parents instilled the value of education in her and her three brothers. Her father had a degree from IU (Class of 1931). ?Mother and Dad obviously valued education; they sent all of us to school,? she shared in the article. ?They really didn?t have the money, and it would have been really easy for them to encourage us to get a job and go to work.? All siblings earned at least two degrees, with two earning law degrees.
To show her appreciation to the university as well as honor her parents? sacrifice, Jane Ann began her philanthropy with the establishment of the Robert W. and Marietta G. Everitt Scholarship Fund at the IU School of Education. The fund supports incoming freshmen who intend to major in education. As of the end of spring semester 2020, eight students have received a total $40,500 in scholarship assistance from the fund for their undergraduate studies at IU. She was honored with the President?s Circle Award at IU in 2015.
Jane Ann passed away June 16, 2020, and is buried at Scottsburg Cemetery.
After Jane passed away, philanthropic wishes as set out in her Will were put into action. Through her foresight, she provided gifts to benefit the Scott County Family YMCA, SHS Alumni Association, and Scottsburg United Methodist Church endowment funds at the Scott County Community Foundation. Jane Ann (or Jane, Trig, Miss Everitt, and Aunt Jane, depending on who you ask), can also add ?philanthropist? to the list.
Through Jane?s gifts, her goodness is here to benefit Scott County forever.
For more information on how the Scott County Community Foundation can assist with your charitable giving, please call 812-752-2057, email info@www.scottcountyfoundation.org or visit the office at 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg. You may also visit www.www.scottcountyfoundation.org.
