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Avis Jeanette “Jan” Ruthven, 79, of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away at her home on March 26, 2023. Jan was born November 15, 1943, in Cades, SC, a daughter of the late Geta and Vera Ruthven. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Wayne M. Gressett, her stepfather Jack Mathews, her brother Darial Ruthven, her sister Vivian McElveen and her nephew Mack McElveen. As a young woman, Jan attended area schools and graduated from Lake City High School in 1961. Later, she graduated from Winthrop College in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree. Next, she obtained her master’s degree in education in 1967 and her doctorate degree in education in 1971, both from the University of Florida. Jan had a long and impactful career in education. She worked at Mississippi State University in various roles starting in 1968 as an instructor and retired from MSU in 1993 as Director of Graduate Education for the College of Education, a role she served in for 10 years. Jan then worked for the Psychological Corporation of San Antonio, TX from 1993 to 2001, with her last role there being Director of Special Projects. Next, she worked for Educational Testing Services starting in 2001, initially serving as Director of Operations for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She ultimately retired in 2020 as Senior Director of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) program. Throughout her career, she authored or contributed to countless academic texts and publications. Jan was also a proud member of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional organization for educators, as well as the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Her professional achievements were both extensive and impressive. Jan had a love of teaching and equipping teachers with the skills they needed to be the best possible educators they could be. She had a passion for Mississippi State University, having spent her first career there and she followed their athletics programs until the end. Jan loved the beach and being around the water, so long as it was warm weather. Jan was an avid consumer of movies and novels and preferred anything in the mystery genre. She also loved to travel with her friends and especially enjoyed her visits to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Above all else, she was an amazing stepmom, aunt, mother-in-law, grandmother, friend, and mentor. She was loved dearly and will be deeply missed by many. She is survived by her loving and devoted family, including her stepson Shane Gressett (wife Kathryn) and her grandson Will Gressett, all of Chattanooga, TN; her niece Lynn McElveen of Cades, SC; her nephew Darry Ruthven and nephew Glen Ruthven (wife Denise), all of Lake City, SC; as well as countless friends, colleagues, and students. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Avis Jan Ruthven Scholarship – College of Education. Donations should be made payable to the MSU Foundation, Inc. (Mailing Address: MSU Foundation Inc., Attention Lynn Durr, PO Drawer 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762). Goldfinch Funeral Home of Carolina Forest is honored to serve the family.

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Avis Jeanette "Jan" Ruthven

November 15, 1943 - March 26, 2023