Janet Marie Priest

Jan was born on May 3, 1947, to Albert A. and Hazel F. Longbrake in Evansville, Indiana. After graduating from Harrison High School in 1964, Jan went on to attend Olivet Nazarene University. She met and married her college sweetheart, Bill, in August of 1967. Jan received her degree in Education from Buena Vista University in Iowa, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and obtained her master’s degree from the University of Alabama. Jan taught advanced English at Bob Jones High School, where she was also the yearbook advisor, winning multiple national awards, as well as being the pianist for many school plays and musicals. Jan was a brilliant pianist and had a beautiful voice that she used for God’s glory, whether in directing choirs and plays, being the church pianist, or singing in choirs and worship teams.

Jan is survived by her husband, Bill Priest; three children, Kimberly (Clark) Pinyan, Christopher (Ruth) Priest, and Melissa (Joseph) Meyer; and three grandchildren, Isabelle Priest, Caroline Pinyan, and Nova Perea. Jan was a loving and devoted wife and a caring and compassionate mother and grandmother. She always enjoyed laughing and having a fun time with her family, whether it was on road trips in “Big Bertha,” voicing the alter egos of their family dogs, Rusty and Murphy, or riding all of the roller coasters at Kings Island. She took great pride in her family and always made time to attend her grandchildren’s events. She was one of their biggest cheerleaders. She is also survived by one brother, Albert (Elizabeth) Longbrake; two sisters-in-law, Dottie (Earl) Brafford and Connie (Bill) Treece; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert A. and Hazel F. Longbrake. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. No graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable contributions be made in memory of Janet Priest to Hospice of North Alabama c/o Brightspring Hospice Foundation, 805 North Whittington Parkway, Louisville, KY 40222. https://hospiceofnorthalabama.com/donate/