Beloved Clovis Teacher Jan Ross Passes at 87

Jan Lynette (Compton) Ross, a longtime first-grade teacher, is remembered for her devotion to students and community.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:50pm

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Jan Lynette (Compton) Ross, a beloved elementary school teacher in Clovis, New Mexico, passed away on March 10, 2026, at the age of 87. Ross taught first grade at Sandia Elementary for over 30 years and was remembered as a passionate, devoted, and exceptional educator who mentored many others throughout her career.

Why it matters

Jan Ross's life and legacy exemplify the profound impact that dedicated teachers can have on their students and communities. As an educator who spent decades shaping young minds in Clovis, her passing marks the end of an era and the loss of a beloved figure in the local community.

The details

Born in Portales, New Mexico, in 1938, Jan Ross graduated from Portales High School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Eastern New Mexico University. She began her teaching career immediately after college and spent the majority of her 30-plus-year career at Sandia Elementary in Clovis, where she was a first-grade teacher known for her exceptional mentorship of other educators.

  • Jan Ross was born on November 12, 1938, in Portales, New Mexico.
  • She passed away on March 10, 2026, at the age of 87.
  • Memorial services for Jan Ross will be held on March 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Clovis.

The players

Jan Lynette (Compton) Ross

A beloved first-grade teacher who spent over 30 years educating students at Sandia Elementary in Clovis, New Mexico.

Eurith Paul ('E.P.') Compton

Jan Ross's father.

Adele Compton

Jan Ross's mother.

G.C. Ross

Jan Ross's husband, who passed away in August 2020.

Christine Espinoza

Jan Ross's devoted caregiver and faithful companion.

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What they’re saying

“One evening in the Spring of 1953, G. C. Ross called Jan, requesting a date. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

— Jan Lynette (Compton) Ross

The takeaway

Jan Ross's life was defined by her unwavering dedication to education, her students, and her community. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a beloved teacher and mentor will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.