Jane Anne Jayroe

Jayne Anne Jayroe (born October 30, 1947) from Laverne, Oklahoma, was Miss America 1967.

Beginnings

Jane Anne Jayroe was born on October 30, 1947 to Pete Jayroe and Helene Smith Jayroe in Clinton, Oklahoma. Jane grew up in Sentinel and Laverne, Oklahoma. She has one older sister, a teacher and mother of three in Follett, Texas, Judy Jayroe Elmore.

Miss America

As a student at Oklahoma City University, she entered the University’s pageant through her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, and then went on to win the Miss Oklahoma Pageant. Then, at the age of 19, and with no previous pageant experience, Jane was crowned Miss America, 1967. She sang and conducted the orchestra for her talent.

After being crowned Miss America 1967, Jane traveled all around the world and was even able to travel to Vietnam to entertain America’s troops abroad.

Life After the Reign

Jane became a well-recognized and respected primetime news anchor for both the Channel 5's in Oklahoma City (KOCO) and Dallas/Fort Worth (KXAS). She won several awards during her 16-year career including the first female to be awarded “Outstanding News Personality” in the Dallas television market.

Jayroe later went on to co-host a popular television show, "Discover Oklahoma" promoting tourism within the state of Oklahoma. She also served as Secretary of Tourism in the Cabinet of Governor Frank Keating.

In 1992, Jayroe become the first spokesperson for the Oklahoma Health Center and Vice President of the Presbyterian Health Foundation.

She was the first woman elected Chairman of the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals and is on executive committees for the University of Oklahoma Breast Health Institute, Oklahoma City University Board of Trustees and the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation. As a member of the United Methodist Church Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City, Jayroe is on the Women's Ministries Team and a board member for the Education and Employment Ministries. She has taken an active role in issues affecting young people, serving as honorary chair for the Conference on Teen Pregnancy, Youth Arts Month and the Oklahoma Parents and Teachers Association.

She is a former trustee of the Sarkey's Foundation, and was appointed by Gov. George Nigh to the commission on the Status of Women, by Gov. Henry Bellmon to chair "Oklahoma Reunion '89" and to the Legislative Compensation Board by Gov. David Walters.

A major street in her childhood hometown of Laverne, Oklahoma was renamed in her honor.

As an Author

Jayroe is the author of several articles appearing in "McCall's" and other publications such as "Out of the Blue", "Delight Comes Into Your Life" and "Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul". She was producer for "Daily Devotionals," A set of audiocassettes by area ministers and laypeople and recently created a seminar for women titled, Living Grace-fully.

Her most current publications include "More Grace Than Glamour: My Life as Miss America and Beyond", and "Oklahoma 3", a book published for the Centennial year of Oklahoma’s statehood and portraying the diversity of the state.

Family and Current Life

Jane Jayroe Gamble currently resides with her husband, Gerald Gamble, in Oklahoma City. She is mother to Tyler Jayroe, a graduate of Vanderbilt University. Tyler currently lives in New Jersey with wife Elaine, and children Luke and Maya. She also has four wonderful great nieces: Hannah Colclazier, Dita Grace Wieser, Kess Wieser, and Ava Wieser and two amazing great nephews: Daxx Jayroe Wieser and Jayden Wieser.

As of November 2007 Jane has been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Not only is this one of the highest, if not the highest, honor any Oklahoman can receive, but also Jane was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the State Centennial year. Other inductees include singer Toby Keith, civil rights activists Clara Luper and Chief Gregory Pyle.