Mary Jane Stovall, 60, of Long Branch, NJ, went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2024. She was born on July 21, 1963, at Monmouth Medical Center to James Arthur and Mary Frances Stovall, and had lived in Long Branch her entire life. She attended the Long Branch school system, where she developed a passion for reading. Mary Jane was extraordinarily intelligent and never had to study, as one of her teachers informed the family. She participated in Evelyn Wood's speed-reading courses and could read three or more novels in a day. Her favorite novels were murder mysteries.
Mary Jane loved to cook; her jobs focused on the food industry. She worked as a waitress for over 25 years, including at Bun N' Burger and Friendly's at Monmouth Mall. As these restaurants closed, she continued at Monmouth Mall and started working at Burger King.
Mary Jane's life revolved around her only son, Jamar. She loved and adored her grandchildren, Agianna, Darnell, and Leilani (Le Le). She would do everything for her grandchildren. Mary Jane shared an unrivaled bond with Darnell and Le Le. Mary Jane genuinely cared about her family. She was a daddy’s girl and had a tattoo on her arm that read as such.
Mary Jane was regarded as the "dancing queen" in our family; she would take on any challengers and SIT THEM DOWN! If there was music playing, she would be dancing. She felt most at ease at home watching TV. She watched all the singing and dance shows, including “American Idol,” “The Voice,” “America's Got Talent,” “Apollo,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and many more.
Mary Jane was the female equivalent of Dr. Dolittle; she looked after abandoned animals and nursed them back to health; she truly cherished animals. She had a wide range of pets over the years, including hamsters, ferrets, dogs, parrots, lovebirds, and lizards. Mary Jane's cat, Gizmo, was her constant companion.
Mary Jane was affectionately known to some as MJ. She had the most infectious laugh. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know her loved her, and she had a heart of gold. Mary Jane knew her truth and had no airs about it; always keeping it real and was a true friend to all. She will be greatly missed by her family. Definitely gone too soon, but never forgotten and will always be in our hearts.
Mary Jane was predeceased by her grandparents Jack and Myrtle Stovall, Robert and Gertrude Byrd; Stepfather Adolphus Lomans; and nephews Jayden Rhem and Greg Tutt, Jr.
Left to cherish her memories with internal love, Father James Arthur Stovall, Mother Mary Frances Stovall-Lomans; Son Jamar H. Stovall, Daughter-in-law Ashley Stovall, Grandson Darnell R. Stovall; Granddaughters Agianna Taylor and Leilani Stovall; Sisters Sophia “Lorraine” Banks (Reggie), Myrtle Syvona Stovall (Greg Tutt), and Tyesha “Kesha” Rhem (Jimmy); Nephews James A. Stovall, Darnell L. Stovall, and Reginald “RJ” Banks, Jr.; Nieces Miesha Stovall (Eric Tasker) and Rayne Rhem; Great-nephew Elijah “Eli” Tasker; Great-Nieces Destinee Stovall and Payshence “PJ” Tasker; honorable mention: her close and special aunt and uncle, Reverend Barbara Gibbs and David Byrd.; her cat Gizmo, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends.
