Jane Edwards Van

Clemson Mrs. Jane Ann Edwards Varn of 218 Holiday East, Clemson, SC, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 7, 2011, following a courageously fought battle against cancer. Mrs. Varn was the daughter of the late Ordie Morton and Bertie Hieronymous Edwards, and was graduate of Moultrie High School in Mt. Pleasant, SC. She was a 1955 graduate of Columbia College and taught in the public and private schools of SC for many years. Jane Ann was married to Dr. Lucius Pinckney Varn for fifty-five years and they resided in Orangeburg, SC, until the past five years when they moved to Clemson, SC. She and her husband were active members of Rock Springs Baptist Church, in Easley, SC, where she taught for several years in the Ladies Bible Studies. They were blessed with four children: Beth Moore (Bill Moore) and children Thomson, Harrison, and Grace Moore of Orangeburg, SC; Rose Smith (Dr. Gene Smith), and children Julianna and Hampton Smith of Columbia, SC; Janie Crossland (Rob Crossland) and children Bobby, Rachel, and Sam Crossland of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and Luke Varn (Allyson Varn) and children Maggie, Trey, and Olivia Varn of Greenville, SC. She was the sister of the late Josephine (Douglas) Pinckney of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and is survived by her brothers Dr. Morton (Tom) Edwards of Greenville, SC, and Dr. James B. Edwards of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and her sister, Mrs. Ada "Deedie" (Ted) Melchers of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Jane's greatest joy was teaching the Bible, which was demonstrated by a non-denominational Bible study, which she taught in Orangeburg for over forty years. She was involved in mission work, both at home and on foreign fields. Jane led drives to collect funds for various causes such as: sheets for a needy hospital in the country of Angola, a lung machine for coal miners at Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, and shovels for natives to clear a landing airstrip along the Amazon River. This was used by New Tribes Missions to reach the Brazilian natives with God's message of salvation through Jesus Christ. She and her husband provided funds needed to build and support a church and it's pastor in India for many years. More recently, she and her Bible Study were involved with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, sending funds to help Jewish people to be able to leave Russia and immigrate to Israel. In the 1970s, Jane organized the gospel singing group, The Believers, who performed along the East coast from Virginia to Florida, spreading God's Word. Jane accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior when she was taken by her brother Tom, to the first Billy Graham crusade held in South Carolina. She faithfully followed the message of going into all the world to tell the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. A memorial service will be held at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, SC, on Sunday, January 9, 2011, led by Dr. David Gallamore with visitation at 1:00, and service at 2:00. On Tuesday, January 11, there will be a visitation at 1:00, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 at the Branchville Christian Church, SC, led by Reverend Wayne Manning and Reverend Jerry Thompson. Burial service will follow at Sardis Cemetery in Branchville, SC, led by Reverend Henry Cooper. Ott Funeral Home in Branchville is in charge of arrangements, (803) 274-8889. Online condolences can be sent to www.ottfh.com