Jane Lancaster Kibler

Jane Elizabeth Lancaster Kibler, a longtime Raleigh resident living in Homestead Hills retirement community in Winston-Salem, died on Oct. 15, 2025, at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center after a brief illness.

Jane was born July 7, 1933, in Buckroe Beach, Va., because her mother wanted at least one of her children born in her native state – understandable with Thomas Jefferson occupying a branch in the family tree. She was raised in Raleigh and later lived in Athens, Ga., Vienna, Va., and Princeton, N.J., and again in Raleigh for 35 years.

Her parents, Virginia Cunningham Lancaster and John Warren Lancaster, preceded her in death, along with brother Jack Lancaster, sister Kathryn Lancaster Johnson, nephew Craig Johnson and grandson David Barton. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Bill Kibler of Winston-Salem, three children: Dan (Barbara) Kibler of Winston-Salem, Jill Kibler of Rockledge, Fla., and Dr. Chris (Ginger) Kibler of Charlotte; eight grandchildren: Amy (Kyle) Holliday, Andrew (Hannah) Kibler, Carrie (Scott) Rhodes, Katie Grace (Nick) Markel, John Barton, Natalie (Logan) Ash, Georgia Kibler and Eli Kibler; and four great-grandchildren: Grace Ann Holliday, Libby Kate Holliday, William Allen Kibler and Raleigh Dawn Rhodes, and a favorite niece, Jackie Johnson.

Jane was raised in Boylan Heights and joined First Baptist Church at age 12. She graduated from Hugh Morson H.S. in 1951 and Meredith College in 1955. Trained to be an elementary school teacher, she spent several decades involved in the teaching of children, including preschool and Sunday School at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Va., and the Head Start program in Fairfax County, Va. In addition to participating in the Meals on Wheels program, she volunteered in the clothing ministry at First Baptist Church in Raleigh, where she headed the Homebound Ministry for 10 years and was a member of the John Hiott Sunday School class. She enjoyed monthly gatherings of the Lunch Bunch and Happy Hookers (a yarn and needlecraft group).

She was an avid doll collector and a member of the Gladys McDowell Doll Study Club in Vienna, Va. She loved to show off her collection of more than 500 dolls, including Shirley Temples, Playpals, Madame Alexanders, Effanbees and Ginny Dolls, among others.

A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 2:00pm, in the Chapel at Mitchell Funeral Home in Raleigh, followed by a private graveside service at Raleigh Memorial Park. The family encourages bright colors to be worn to Jane's service. The service will be livestreamed, to join the livestream, please click on the 'Join Livestream' link in the services box below.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, N.C., 27607.

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