Janice Waggoner England

Any description of her starts with “sweet” and as any of her grandchildren can attest, if they ever had a bump, bruise, hardship, or dilemma, it was met with her selfless catchphrase, “I wish it were me instead of you.” She was steadfast and strong. But most importantly, Nece left a legacy of love for anyone that came into her orbit – love of music, gardening, sunsets, laughter and hugs. But above all, love of the Lord, her family, her friends… and a huge love of life.

Nece was born in Hamilton, Texas to parents Jay and Nadine Waggoner in 1939. Along with her sister Gwen, the family moved to Grand Prairie in 1943. In the 7th grade she met a boy named Charlie England. They have been together ever since.

Nece graduated from Grand Prairie High School in 1957 where she was a Gopher cheerleader. After graduation she went to work in the Trust Department at Mercantile Bank in Dallas. A year later, she and Charlie were married. Rhonda, the first of three children, came the next year. Kirk followed in 1961 and Lori in 1963.

A few years later, Charlie went in to business as a State Farm agent with Nece at his side. The agency prospered and grew, due in no small part to Nece’s efforts in running the office. This was a trend that continued… although rarely the star, she was always the glue that held things together both at home and in the office.

While raising three kids and managing the agency, she found time to be a member of the Grand Prairie Women’s Club and serve on the board of the Grand Prairie Boys and Girls Club. She was a supporter of Meals on Wheels and a member of the First United Methodist Church Grand Prairie.

In 1992, Charles England was elected Mayor of Grand Prairie, an office he held for the next 21 years. During that time, Nece served as the city’s First Lady. It was a role she carried out with great dignity and grace.

When the grandchildren came along, Nece delighted in their exploits. She and Charlie traveled the country attending football and baseball games, gymnastics, dance and cheer competitions and recitals – as proudly calculated by her grandkids, a total of 2,672 events. They hosted large family gatherings at their scenic place on Lake Whitney. These were regular events not only on holidays but throughout the year. In other words, any excuse for her beloved family to be together. She never took these moments for granted – always the first to rise and the last to go to bed – watching in awe as the tight knit family that she and Charlie created danced, sang, and laughed by the firepit until the late hours of the night.

Janice Waggoner England is survived by her teenage sweetheart and husband of 62 years, Charles V. England; Children - daughter Rhonda Barhorst and husband Dr. Mark; son Kirk England and wife Marcy; daughter Lori Arnold and husband Bryan; Grandchildren - Dr. Clayton Barhorst and wife Amber; Clint Arnold and wife Kelsie; Lt. Commander Charles Robert England (U.S.C.G); Lt. Commander Sam England (U.S.C.G.) and wife Ashley; Katy Woodruff and husband Hunt; Janna Deal and husband Jordan; Greatgrandchildren – Jack Woodruff, Charlie Woodruff, Jay Barhorst, Elizabeth Arnold, Andrew Deal, Maggie Woodruff, Harrison Arnold and Jeff Barhorst; Sister, Gwen England and husband Frank; nephew Jeff England and wife, Brandi, niece Kelli Bates and husband Joe, Juli Danaher and husband Jeff; along with many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Nadine Waggoner, and her mother and father in law, Frank and Juanita Thompson.

Nece will be missed greatly but her legacy of love lives on.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Children First Counseling Center at www.childrenfirstinc.org.