Jane Jayroe's book released today

By Penny Cockerell

Published: May 20, 2006

When Jane Jayroe was approached to write a book about her life, her first thought was: "Why in the world would anyone want to read about me?"

Jayroe's autobiography, "More Grace than Glamour," begins with her 1967 crowning as Miss America and takes readers through her life, from an unhappy marriage to a successful journalism career and, later, as the state's tourism director and community volunteer.

She officially will release her book today at the third annual Oklahoma Centennial Book Festival at Oklahoma City University.

Returning to her roots
Jayroe was approached by Bob Burke of the Oklahoma Heritage Foundation to write her story. He also is its co-author.

The book begins with her becoming Miss America after growing up in rural Laverne.

She said she had not ridden in an airplane until her pageant ventures.

"There is a tendency to, when given great opportunity, to leave your home state. I had scholarships after Miss America to where I could go to any university in the country," Jayroe said. "But I am such a homebody and such an Oklahoma person that I so much wanted to come home."

Jayroe said she felt a "spiritual calling" to return to her roots and have the help of her family and church in raising her son.

She served as a television news anchor at KOCO-TV Channel 5, then later with a television station in the Dallas market.

But again, she came back to Oklahoma, where she says she's always been rooted, even when gone.

"There's just something very important about the sense of home and I think Oklahoma provides that in a very special way for the people who live here," Jayroe said.

Volunteer work
Jayroe now does volunteer work for her alma mater, Oklahoma City University, and is a trustee for the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. With one book behind her, she said she may write more.

All proceeds from Jayroe's autobiography will benefit the Oklahoma Heritage Association. The autobiography is available at Oklahoma bookstores.

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