Maris Alayne Stanard, age 79, passed away in Madison, Mississippi on June 29, 2024 after an extended illness. She was born on June 27, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri to Thomas and Dorothy Shepherd. Maris shared 59 wonderful years together with her husband, Jim, marrying on June 20, 1965, in Brookfield, Missouri. Maris graduated from Glennon High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1963, and graduated from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi in 1985. She was a High School Science teacher at Clinton High School and later worked at Southern Farm Bureau Insurance. Maris enjoyed family gatherings, particularly time with her grandchildren whom she loved immensely. She enjoyed researching her genealogy and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society as a descendant of Governor William Bradford. Maris was a member of Madison Methodist Church where she attended the Pathfinders Sunday School class. Maris was preceded in death by her parents, son Gregory Stanard, parents-in-law James and Virginia Stanard, brother-in-law Leonard Shaul and sister-in law Sandy Shaul, and brother-in-law Dale Heaney. Maris is survived by her husband, Jim. She is also survived by her two sons, David Stanard (Lisa) and Jason Stanard (Robin), brother Roger Shepherd (Carol Sue), and grandchildren, Sydney Stanard, Will Stanard (Grace), Jake Stanard, Shelby Nicholson (Benjamin), Hunter Stanard, and Dillon Stanard, as well as sister-in-law Sharon Heaney. Services will be held at Madison Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 11:00am with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts in memoriam to the Alzheimer’s Association.