Janice Louise Smith

Janice Perry Smith has been many things in her life — mother (and now grandmother and great grandmother) wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was born on May 3, 1950, to James and Avis Perry, the first of five children: Patricia, Jimmy, Joy, and Renee. Together they grew up surrounded by the love of family and a deep faith in God.

Family trips were spent in makeshift campers, and on more than one occasion, all packed into a Volkswagen Bug. We can only imagine the closeness and laughter of a family of seven traveling out west in that tiny car.

Mother grew up enveloped in the love of her brothers and sisters — a love that could only come from a God and Savior who abounds in love. The Perry and Davis cousins played together, prayed together, and built the foundation for all of us who would come after them. We are the blessed children of blessed children. The love of God and family began with our grandparents and was passed down to each of us.

The values our mother was raised with shaped the woman we were so fortunate to call “Mother.” She was our protector and our cheerleader — always driving us around, making sure we had everything we needed. We never knew a single day without love or support.

When our mother loved you, she did so without reservation. She was our mother first and foremost, always leading us with love and discipline. But she was also our friend, our sounding board, our nurse, doctor, therapist, cook, laundress, and personal shopper. If we needed it, she made sure we had it.

She was our administrative assistant and taxi driver. She kept our lives in order. Even while working full-time, we always came first. I never once heard her complain.

Her support and her love are beyond what words can express. We never lived a single second doubting that we were loved and cherished. Her love for us was unconditional — given freely, without end.

Our mother was preceded in death by her husband Jessie Benjamin Smith. Janice is survived by her siblings: sister Patricia Perry Murphree; brother James Perry and his wife Carol; sister Joy Clay and her husband Jerry; and sister Renee York and her husband Tommy. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Jacqueline Fink, Wanda Payne, and Annette Holland and her husband Doug. Many cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, carry her love forward.

Children: Tonya Cotton (husband Jeff), Heidi Rosa, Ryan Smith, and Justin Smith. Grandchildren: Micah Cotton (wife Alainie), Analyssa Sinquefield (husband Ryals), Garreth Cotton (wife Kaylee), Emmalee, Sophia Rosa, Brodie Smith, and Jillian, Great-grandchildren: Lilah, Emmersyn, Rylee, and Isabella Cotton; Bram, Dawsie, Adyline, and Ransom Sinquefield; Rykin and Soren Cotton.

Mama, you will be missed. We will miss your hugs, the sound of your voice, your beautiful face, and hearing you say “I love you.” But we will not miss your love — because you loved us enough for ten lifetimes.

Thank you for loving us so well. Thank you for always being there for us. Thank you for everything you are to us. Thank you for being our Mama.

Most of all, thank you, God, for gifting all of us with Janice Perry Smith.