Janice Kay Nixon Terry left this earth to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 7, 2024 surrounded by her family. Janice was born March 31, 1947 at home in Witcherville, Arkansas to Margaret and Lester Nixon.
Janice’s greatest joy was her family and she deeply cherished time with her three kids. She loved watching her granddaughters and great grandkids in activities and spent many nights and weekends at ball fields, competitions, and recitals. She had a passion for design and spent many hours recreating favorite trends in her home and wardrobe. Once named South Sebastian County Fair Queen, Janice was always put together and never missed her weekly hair appointment.
She met the love her life, Oscar Earl Terry, at the Greenwood Skating Rink and two years later they were married on January 8, 1962 in Poteau. Together they had three children, one daughter and two sons. Janice was employed by the Greenwood Public Schools for 28 years, serving in both the classroom and as sponsor for various extracurricular activities.
Janice enjoyed tending to her roses and supervising Earl while he executed the latest project she dreamed up. She was a proud member of Greenwood First Baptist Greenwood for more than 60 years. She loved her hometown and never stopped missing the Cherry Cokes from the L&J. She loved Razorback sports and always kept the candy drawer stocked for her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester Enoch and Mary Margaret Nixon, and husband, Oscar Earl Terry. She is survived by daughter, Regina Thompson and husband, Scott of Fort Smith; son, Randy Terry and wife, Kristi of Fort Smith; son, Lance Terry and wife, Jessica of Greenwood; granddaughter, Katy Valdez and husband, Jose of Cave Springs; granddaughter, Maegan Duplantis and husband, Bradley of Fort Smith; granddaughter, Allyson Terry of Fort Smith; great-grandchildren, Ruby, Zack and Stella Duplantis and Roman and Naomi Valdez; sister, Linda Thompson of Witcherville and dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, July 11 at Greenwood First Baptist Church with burial at Clarks Chapel Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Wednesday from 2 – 7 p.m. at the church, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Roger Thompson, Steve Thompson, Bradley Duplantis, Jose Valdez, Tim Terry and Stewart Bryan. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Lydia, The Lady of the Purple Sunday School Class led by Clema Jean Nichols.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
