Jana O. Smith

LEXINGTON – On July 30, 2018, our community suffered the loss of a dedicated and loving wife and mother and one of its little-known heroes. Jana Ouzts Smith went to spend eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven after passing away due to complications arising from carotid artery surgery she underwent on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Palmetto Health Richland.

Jana was born April 30, 1962, in Charleston, SC, to Larry and Ruth Ridlehoover Ouzts of Greenwood, SC. Jana was born in Charleston due to her father’s service in the Navy but would spend her childhood growing up in Greenwood. When she reached 17 years of age, Jana left the small town of Greenwood for a life in Columbia. She finished her high school credits taking courses at night at Airport High School and joined the staff at Jeff Hunt Machinery Company (now Blanchard Machinery) where she would find her lifelong, dearest friend, Dannette Bickley, and what soon would become her second family here in Columbia. Jana later earned her Associates Degree in Computer Programming from Midlands Technical College and, soon after, she began her career in programming with what was then PMSC (now CSC) where she worked until January 2016 when she joined T-Cubes, which was founded by former co-workers from CSC. T-Cubes was recently purchased and became a part of Capgemini where Jana continued in the career she loved so much.

Jana was a supportive and dedicated wife, a very loving and involved mother and one of the funniest, most selfless, God-fearing women there was. She was a believer with a deeply rooted faith from being brought up in the church. Once she got to know you or your story, there was nothing she would not do to help you. She opened the Smith home up to folks in need, and she loved doing most any and everything for her son and his friends. She made their home into a place where the kids wanted to come and hang-out and she loved each one of them very deeply, and was happy to have them treat her like another mother. She was a very intelligent woman that always had purpose and she did not take her responsibilities lightly. She was always very passionate about all things she did. She was also a very compassionate lady, particularly towards children; so much so that Jana joined the volunteer Guardian ad Litem program and had just finished her courses. She also had a deep compassion for animals, particularly dogs. She was an excellent cook, she liked golf, fishing, boating, and playing bridge. She was a very proud and involved River Bluff High School Band Mom. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Jana is survived by her loving husband, Van Smith, and their son, Ryan of Lexington; her mother, Ruth Ouzts of Greenwood; her brother, Brad Ouzts (Pam, Hunter, Madison) of Raleigh; special niece, Jessica Ouzts Gibert (Nick); special great-niece, Natalie Gibert of Greenwood; sisters, Kelly Hall and Ashley Wright of Raleigh; mother-in-law, Joye Smith of West Columbia; step-mother, Mary Brenda Ouzts of Raleigh; “second” son, Jordan Jeffers; nieces/nephews; her fur babies, Isabella and Shelby and her extended family, Dannette Bickley, Greg Bickley, Lynda DuTart Monroe, and Jamey DuTart. She was predeceased by her father, Larry Ouzts and grandparents, Rev. Bennie and Myrtle Ridlehoover.

Pastor Ken Jumper will officiate Jana’s memorial service on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 1:00 pm at The Harvest Church, located at 4865 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072. The family will receive guests immediately following at the church. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memorials can be made in Jana’s name to the River Bluff High School Gator Band. It was her mission to help further the band’s reach and purpose.

Rest in Peace, baby. You are my everything…my wife, my lover, my best friend, and I will miss you every day until we meet again. All my love. – The Husband

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

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