Janice Faye Herndon

Janice (aka Jan, Mom, and J.J.) Herndon, 81, left this earthly world to be with Christ on February 2, 2024. She was the only child born to Helen (Cates) and Wilbert O’Neal on October 16, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jan was a 1960 graduate of Raytown High School in Raytown, Missouri. She met her husband, Gary R. Herndon (class of ’58) while in high school and they married on October 18, 1961. Jan and Gary had two children, Joe (56) and Sarah (52). She was a kind, loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Helen O’Neal, and husband, Gary. She leaves behind her beloved family: son Joe Herndon and daughter-in-law, Cathy, of Lee’s Summit, MO, and their children Joey and Danny; and daughter Sarah Bloom and son-in-law Rawlin, of Kingsville, MO and their son Trevor and his wife Lauren, and two great grandchildren, Aisley and Parker.

Jan was extremely talented and artistic. Her hobbies included beading, painting, flower arrangements, decorating and dress making. She definitely had an eye for the “beautiful”. She hand-made both Sarah and Cathy’s wedding dresses and did the flowers for a number of weddings in the area. You might never have heard her talk about these talents, as her modesty wouldn’t let her.

Although Jan’s primary career was making sure that her kids felt all the love and safety in the world, she did have a few jobs. She worked for a number of physicians in Kansas City as a surgical assistant and doctor’s assistant. When the kids were grown, she did some creative work for Casual Corner. She was extremely smart and had a huge vocabulary… she knew the meaning of almost every word in the dictionary!

Jan loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren with all her heart. She was world class at spoiling them rotten! Jan was at her happiest when surrounded by family. She was a devout Christian and loved the Lord! She spent many hours as an active member at Southside Christian Church and then at Westridge Christian Church. She participated in many bible studies, other church groups and their beautiful choir, The Voices of Joy. She so loved that group and was proud to be in the company of such wonderful, Christ-loving women!

Jan and Gary lived at Lake Winnebago for over 16 years; she would never miss a chance to go on a sunset boat ride with her children and grandchildren. She was always up for an adventure! She was once seen going airborne in a custom made dune buggy. She had a great love of animals. She was Mom and Grandmom to several dogs and various pets. She even loved Sarah’s ferrets, regardless of how bad they stunk or how many times they bit her. The kids did learn that reptiles were where she drew the line!

Jan was one of the sweetest and kindest women you would ever meet. If you were fortunate enough to meet her, you would never forget her magical smile, sparkling eyes and contagious laugh. She never wanted to “rock the boat”… just don’t cross her, or she would! She would remind her kids of that from time to time when deserved. She was even known to get the wooden spoon out in desperate times!

Jan was a classy lady and her kind words and easy demeanor will be greatly missed. She is surely now at peace with the Lord and all of her family and friends that have gone before her. Rest easy, Jan….

A visitation for Janice will be held Friday, February 9, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Newcomer's Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 9, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133. A graveside service will occur Friday, February 9, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133.