Janice Swaney Smith

Janice Swaney Smith, 82, of Browns Summit, passed away at her home on Friday, June 28, 2024.

 Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM, Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Hope River Church, with Pastor Billy Roy officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Janice was born in Guilford County to the late James Bernard Swaney and Doris Andrews Swaney, the first child of five. She graduated from Monticello High School, where she met her future husband, Rodney Smith. She and her high school sweetheart were married for 64 years and raised three boys, who in time produced nine grandchildren. Janice loved to sew, and she kept a sewing room in her home long after she was able to fully utilize it.

She was a longtime member at Brown Wesleyan Church (now Hope River) and enjoyed singing in the choir for many years there. While still able, she and her husband loved their annual trips to Pennsylvania, and they enjoyed planting and maintaining the beautiful flowers in their yard. 

In the late 1960s, Janice was a manager for Kayser-Roth, which she continued until opening her own business, Jan’s Fabrics, in the mid-1970s. After she and co-owner Rodney closed the business, she transitioned into her next career as a stay-at-home parent and grandparent. For many of those years she also provided care and support for her widowed mother. 

She is survived by her husband, Rodney Smith; sons, Jeff Smith (Sherri), Brian Smith (Marti), and Brad Smith (Jamilyn); grandchildren, Gail Hernandez (Andres), Jamie Hatchell (Shaun), Austin Smith (Stacy), Bethany Smith Fulk (Justin), Chris Smith, Camden Smith, Dalen Smith, Tullia Smith and Amarah Smith; great grandchildren, Andrew Peeples (Kimberly), Abigail Bowman, Ella Hatchell, Eli Hatchell, Henry Hernandez, Westin Smith, and Graham Fulk; and siblings, Jimmy Swaney (Margaret), Sandra McGee (Kenneth), Kathy Gunter, and Don Swaney (Nancy).

The Smith family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for special cousins, friends and caregivers who have loved and assisted Janice over the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Janice's honor to the charity of your choice.