A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Janice was the daughter of Fletcher and Antoinette Shipley. She attended Bright School, Girls Preparatory School, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in English education. While at UTC, Janice was a winner of the French I and II awards; and a member of the Alpha Society, the Kappa Delta Theta Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi French Honor Society, and Lambda Iota Tau honor society. She also served as president of Mortar Board. She continued her studies at UTC and received her Master’s degree in English education.
Janice continued her love for education in her professional life. She began a 31 year career as a teacher at Tyner Middle School where she taught French and continued in later years at GPS, Soddy Daisy Middle School, Red Bank High School, and the Baylor School. With an abundance of energy, creativity, and a genuine love for her students; Janice worked tirelessly as a sponsor for school newspapers, Student Council, Junior-Senior Prom, and various clubs. She was nominated as a TOP teacher at Red Bank High School and Who’s Who in America’s Teachers.
Janice relished every second of her retirement and enjoyed working as a volunteer at Senior Neighbors, the Tennessee Aquarium, and the Ronald McDonald House, where she worked in the family room until recently. She was a member of the Women’s Republican Party and Red Bank Baptist Church. Always looking for a new adventure, Janice travelled as much as she could, visiting Europe, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, and South America. She was a voracious reader and especially enjoyed relaxing around her pool.
Known for her quick wit and sense of humor, Janice loved spending time with her family, talking about her family…basically anything that revolved around her children and grandchildren. Known as “Grandmommy”, she thought her family “hung the moon”, and she didn’t mind telling you that. She enjoyed family trips, helping with homework, shopping excursions, attending school events; and more recently, attending graduations, marriages, and welcoming new great grandbabies.
Janice is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill McAfee; and by a grandson, Ian Majoras. She is survived by her three children, Maureen (Jim) Morrison of Signal Mountain; Kathleen (Tim) Collins of Rising Fawn, GA; and Kevin (Jan) McGregor of Signal Mountain; ten grandchildren, Will (Kate) Morrison of Signal Mountain, Lacy (Joseph) Ezell of Thompsons Station; Austin (Sam) Robinson of Smyrna, GA; Jennifer (Cody) Crews of Hendersonville, TN; Clinton, Godfred, Joseph, and Philip Collins of Rising Fawn, GA, and Ryan and Hayden McGregor of Signal Mountain; six great grandchildren, and her cousin and dear friend, Kathi Harrah of East Ridge. She will also be dearly missed by her friend Fred Davies of Alpharetta, GA.
A private graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House, 200 Central Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
