Biography: Jyothi Rao McMinn died after a short illness. She leaves behind her daughter, Natasha McMinn Marlow (Cary Marlow) and grandchildren Miles McMinn Marlow and Miriam Helen Marlow all of Little Rock.  She is also survived by her former husband Benjamin C. McMinn of Little Rock and a brother, K. Sashi Rao of Chennai, India and several nieces and nephews spanning the globe.

She was predeceased by brother, Wing Commander K. Kishore Rao of the Indian Air Force.
Jyothi received her primary and secondary education at Catholic schools in Bangalore and received a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Bangalore University in Bangalore India. She was a renown Montessori teacher and teacher of teachers having taught in India, as well as Arizona, Georgia and Arkansas.

It was the chance then to do an extensive course in Montessori Education in Bangalore that became a life changer. The then visiting Course Director offered her all the necessary support and recommendations to win a job opportunity at the Montessori School in Little Rock, Ark, in the year 1969. It was an extremely bold move on her part to take up the challenge of going so far away from our parental home to establish herself. That was not something easy to do for any young girl or her parents in the Indian social environment of the 60s- 70s. Hence, Jyothi was a true trail blazer!

Private Family burial will take place in Little Rock, AR at a later date. Donations can be made to Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116, who took wonderful care of her in her final days. Services under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com