Janice Carter Conley

Janice C Conley was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed her to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, she possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. She had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and she was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Janice always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Janice was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Janice was born on October 21, 1951 at Morehouse General Hospital in Bastrop, Louisiana. Her parents were Jessie R and Eunice S. Carter. Janice was raised with one brother, Steve in Bastrop, Louisiana. Always able to express herself well, Janice possessed strong interpersonal skills. She was optimistic in her outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in her communication. Armed with a great wit, Janice was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Janice was able to relate well with others. Her occasional role as family mediator gave her the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Janice was raised with one brother. She had younger brother Steve. Janice had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Janice showed her creative ability in many ways. She was outgoing and animated. Janice enjoyed being with her parents, friends, and her cousins. In her spare time she loved reading and learning new things.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and a driven individual, Janice was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. Her curious nature enabled her ability to maximize her personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. She was good with facts and had an excellent memory. She graduated from Bastrop High School in 1969 at Salutatorian. Her favorite classes in high school were American History, Government, and English 4. The teachers she enjoyed learning from the most was Mrs. Holley and Mrs. Bickley. She was the recipient of the "Times Current Event Award" in May of 1969.

When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to Janice. Again, her direct, “down to earth” approach served her well. She was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. She earned her undergraduate degree in English Education from University of Louisiana at Monroe she graduated in 1973. Her favorite courses were English and History.

Friends and acquaintances found Janice an easy woman to get to know, and those close to her would often praise her open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Janice was uncomplicated and straightforward in her relationships, which allowed her to accept people for who they were. While growing up, some of her close friends were Sandra Williams Gray, Nancy Williams Grant, Janice Freeman, Karen Smith, Barbara Seymore, Diane McIntyre, and Margaret Stevens, her cousins Elizabeth Inez Carter, Cathy Carter, Karen Simpson, Sue Blacet, Joyce Townsend, Mona Goyne, Donna Patton and Eugenia Holloway. Later in life, she had many friends all over the world, the friends she was closest to were Janet English Donaldson, Karen Donaldson Butler, Kathy Candia and a multitude of others. There were also many friends of her children that she considered her friends as well as "her children".

Janice loved Michael with all her heart and was attentive to his feelings. She charmed Michael and others with her gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Janice was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

God blessed Janice with four children; Olof Erik Pohlson, Heather Elizabeth Taylor Highsmith, Rhett Michael Taylor and Cody Rayburn Taylor, and two grandchildren that she loved very deeply, Gracie age 6 and AJ age 2. Being very much like a kid herself, Janice identified well with the inquisitive and creative side of her children’s personalities. She was able to direct her energy and spontaneity towards helping her children acquire added common sense skills.

Janice enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that she did. She put this creativity toward all of her pastimes. Her favorite pursuits were reading, collecting angels and penguins, she loved to travel and being with her family and friends and exploring her new city life with Mike.

Because she liked to take risks, Janice was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. She was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Janice was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Football was her favorite sport to watch. She loved the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers and of course, she cheered for her alma mater, Bastrop High School Rams and the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks Football teams from afar.

Janice was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made her a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which she belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Janice worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. In college, Janice was a co-founder and the first Vice President of the Louisiana Association for Retarded Children, an Historian of the Mu Sigma Academic Honor Society, and wrote for the Ramblin' Ram Newspaper her Junior Year.

Janice was a generous woman who prized that same quality in others. Therefore, it’s little wonder that she was so active and giving in her community. Janice was a member of several community groups, including serving as Treasure at the Alondra Homeowners Association of Las Vegas.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Janice truly enjoyed. She preferred to seek out excitement wherever she went and she was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back. She was willing to leave her plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations always included trips to see family and friends and seeing area attractions and loved eating delicious local and interesting foods along the way.

Janice was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. She had many pets growing up which included both her father’s hunting dogs and yard cats. Her family was rounded out by her two cats Derrick and Josie.

When Janice’s retirement finally came in retires 2011 while living in Fayetteville, NC, she was well prepared. She used logical analysis of her retirement options in order to ensure her retirement would be fulfilling. Still, she was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. Her new life involved relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada. In retirement, she continued her love of reading, traveling and online interests which included active memberships in many fantasy football leagues.

Janice passed away on November 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is survived by husband Michael, children Olof, Heather, Rhett and Cody, two grandchildren Gracie and AJ, brother Steve, Derrick her cat, and many saddened friends from all over the world.

Janice was kind to everyone she met. An accomplished communicator, she relied on her senses to increase her involvement and awareness of others. She was always able to provide amusing repartee to her friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. Janice lived by the principal of “Live and Let Live”. She enjoyed her life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Janice C Conley.

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me for now I'm free. I'm following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard His call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work, or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void then fill it with remembered joys. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. O yes, these things too, I will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee . .

God wanted me now. He set me free.

Arrangements under the direction of

Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.