Janice Neff Thies, 79, of Hoover, AL, passed away on Oct. 7, 2013, five days short of her 80th birthday, after battling colon cancer for a year. She was born on Oct. 12, 1933, in Dayton, OH where she lived until 1954 when she, her husband John, and daughter Melissa moved to Birmingham, AL. A member of Lakeside Baptist Church, Bonnie Lambert's SS Class, and Appris Women's Club, she was also a past member of Central Park and Valleydale Baptist churches. Janice graduated from Wilbur Wright HS in Dayton and worked for several years at Rike Kumler Co. and General Motors, and 10 years in the Birmingham Schools system mostly as a high school secretary. She was PTA President at Charles Brown School for two years, children's SS teacher, and Girl Scouts leader. While her three daughters were growing up, she stayed at home and was a "Mom." Janice was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Anna Neff, and her brother, Larry. Survivors include her beloved husband, John, of 60 years; daughters, Melissa (Mike) Wilson/Park City, UT, Brenda (Frantz) Johnson/Hoover, and Becky (William) Lucas/Alabaster, AL; grandchildren, Marsha (Nick) Butler/China, Amanda Johnson, April (Blake) Kitchings, Adam Johnson, Austin (Erika) Lucas and Trent Lucas, all from the Birmingham area; great-grandchildren, Troy and Eli Butler, and Gemma Lucas; foster great-granddaughter, Eliana of China; brother-in-law, Henry (Mary Jo) Thies; sister-in-law, Carolyn Neff; and numerous other relatives. Dedicated to raising her children and helping with her grandchildren, Janice was a very giving and compassionate person, always smiling. She and John loved seeing their children and grandchildren grow up and watched them play sports - especially high school and college baseball. Although born and raised in Ohio, after marrying Johnny and moving to Alabama in 1954, she quickly became an avid Auburn University sports fan. Visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2013 from 9-11 a.m., Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, immediately followed by 11 a.m. funeral service in Southern Heritage Chapel. Interment, Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham. If desired, memorial gifts may be made in Janice Thies's memory to Rumpshaker, Inc. (promotes awareness of colorectal cancer) or to Lakeside Baptist Church.
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