Delta State University mourns the passing of former First Lady Janice Wyatt

Please Note: gostatesmen.com corrected to deltastategiving.com

Cleveland, MS (07/17/2026) — CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University is mourning the loss of former DSU First Lady Janice Collins Wyatt, who passed away July 12, 2026, at the age of 91. In honor of her life and legacy, the University flag will fly at half-staff through sunset on Saturday, July 18.

A proud Delta State alumna, educator and devoted advocate for the university, Janice dedicated decades of service to Delta State and the Cleveland community. As the wife of President Emeritus Dr. Kent Wyatt, she served as First Lady of the university from 1975 until his retirement in 1999, playing an integral role in campus life while helping strengthen the university's academic and cultural mission.

Born Oct. 7, 1934, in Mayersville, Mississippi, to Opal Elizabeth and Thomas Jefferson Collins, Janice graduated from Rolling Fork High School in 1952 before enrolling at Delta State Teachers College. During her time as a student, she was a cheerleader for three years, a member of the Homecoming Court, Triple Trio, Business Club, Kappa Delta Pi and was selected as Delta State's first Miss Delta State College. She married her college sweetheart, Kent Wyatt, on March 4, 1956, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education later that year before completing a Master of Education in Elementary Education in 1972.

Following graduation, Janice taught elementary gifted programs in Mobile, Alabama, before returning to Bolivar County in 1960, where she taught in Boyle and later at Pearman Elementary School in Cleveland.

As First Lady, Janice became known for her hospitality and personal investment in the Delta State community. She welcomed countless students, faculty, alumni and guests into the President's Home, personally preparing meals and hosting university events while supporting the institution's academic mission. She also served as president of the DSU Faculty Wives and chaired the Special Events Committee responsible for planning the opening celebrations of the Bologna Performing Arts Center in 1995.

Following President Wyatt's retirement, she remained actively involved with Delta State through service on the Bologna Performing Arts Center Advisory Board and by assisting with planning the university's 75th and 100th anniversary celebrations.

Her contributions to the university were recognized through numerous honors, including honorary initiation into Kappa Delta Sorority, induction into Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, the Bologna Performing Arts Center President's Award, the naming of the Janice Wyatt Summer Arts Program and the designation of the Janice C. Wyatt Conference Room in Kent Wyatt Hall.

Beyond the university, Janice was deeply involved in civic and community organizations, serving in leadership roles with Junior Auxiliary, Crosstie Arts Council, National Library Week, Delta Home and Garden Club and the Cleveland Woman's Club. She and her husband were longtime members of First Baptist Church in Cleveland, where she also served as a Sunday School teacher.

"Janice Wyatt devoted so much of herself to Delta State University and to the people who make this institution special. Her kindness, grace and unwavering support touched generations of students, faculty, staff and alumni. Her legacy will continue to inspire all of us who are honored to carry forward the mission she and President Wyatt championed with such dedication," said Suzette Matthews, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Delta State University Foundation.

Wyatt was preceded in death by her parents, Opal and Thomas Collins; her sister, Martha Hiter; and her twin brothers, Ike and Mike Collins.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, President Emeritus Dr. Kent Wyatt; daughters Tara (Henry) Mounger of Jackson and Dr. Elizabeth (Dr. Blake) Mitchell of Ridgeland; four grandchildren, Wyatt (Liza) Mounger, Collins (Samuel) Hansen, Kallen (Wake) Monroe and Mirabel Mitchell; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Mounger Jr. and Laura Mounger; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 18, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Cleveland, with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Janice Wyatt Mississippi Summer Arts Institute, the Kent and Janice Wyatt Student Retention Scholarship or the Kent and Janice Wyatt Faculty Development Fund through the Delta State University Foundation. Visit deltastategiving.com for details.

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