Janice Miller Bhatia

Janice Kay Miller Bhatia, age 60, passed away peacefully at her home in Loveland, Ohio on Thursday, June 25, 2015. For 27 months, Janice bravely fought Stage IV Breast Cancer with the support of her loving family. She was well known for her quick wit and sense of humor as much as for her devotion as a wife, mother and friend.

Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Janice graduated from Doyle High School. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Tennessee - Knoxville and went on to obtain a Master’s degree from Mankato State University in Minnesota. She had a passion for teaching and loved working with children. Since childhood, Janice had a nurturing and mothering spirit. Although she shared this spirit with many different schools, Janice taught most recently at Park Montessori in Cincinnati, Ohio where she was adored by students, parents and co-workers alike.

Janice was an avid reader and lover of chocolate. She loved nature—especially flowers, trees, and wildlife. She enjoyed Southern food, ice cream cones, and mashed potatoes; she loved shopping, matching her outfits head-to-toe, decorating her home and traveling the world. During her life, she visited India, Dubai, England, France, Grenada, The Bahamas, Canada, Mexico and Australia with her husband. She never shied away from making new friends or buying new jewelry wherever she went.

In her last years, Janice enjoyed coloring, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and her two faithful dogs Rocco and Riley. She always put her husband and children first. Janice made a lasting impression on everyone she met and will be forever remembered for her compassion, kindness, selflessness, sharp wit and smile.

She was preceded in death by her parents James Oda Miller and Mary-Evelyn Sayne Miller; her half-sister who raised her Dorothy Miller Barbra and surviving husband Luther Eugene Barbra. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 35 years Yusuf Husainbhai Bhatia; son Alexander Yusuf Bhatia; daughter Jenab Lindsay Bhatia and husband Ryan Staupe; two siblings James Mitchell Miller and Pamela Jane Miller; two nieces with whom she was raised Gina Renee Barbra and friend Nancy and Tracy Barbra Shelley and husband Doug; half-sister Shirley Dean Miller; She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Zorahbai, Safiyabhai, Fatima, Amina, Sakina, and Shirin, their many children, and other nieces and nephews that continue to adore her in India.

The family will receive family and friends 1- 3PM, Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Berry Funeral Home with a celebration of life service at 3 PM. Interment will follow at Berry Highland South Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee. Although she lived away from her place of birth for 35 years, she never forgot her roots and always wanted to return to Knoxville where she will forever rest in peace. Arrangements by Berry Highland South Funeral Home.