Janice Carolyn Capps

A graveside service will be 1:00 pm Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Devotional Gardens, Dunn NC with the Reverend Jerome Pope officiating.

Janice is survived by her son, Coy Thomas Stewart-Linden NC. Grandchildren: Joshua Stewart (Jennifer)-Selma, Tabitha Stewart-Linden NC, Samantha Stewart (Scott)-Fayetteville NC, Christopher Stewart-Durham NC; Great-Grandchild: Raina Stewart. Brother: Ronald "Buck" Autry (Linda)- Lillington NC. Sisters-in-Law: Garlene Autry-Erwin NC; Carolyn Autry-Linden NC; Darlene Autry-Linden NC; Dale Ryals (Clifton)-Erwin NC; Gail (Capps) Lucas-Erwin NC; Barbara Capps-Mulberry FL; Pat Capps-Erwin NC. Brothers-in-Law: Leslie Clifton Capps (Debbie)-Benson NC; Justus "Butch" Capps (Lois)-Linden NC; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Janice was predeceased by her husband Robert "Bob" E Capps; her son, John Junior Stewart; her parents, Moses and Gladys Parnell Autry and stepmother, Naomi McLeod Autry; her brothers, James Larry Autry, Charles A. Autry, Moses Odell Autry, and Dallas Eugene Autry; her sister, Judy Autry McLeod.

In Janice's early adulthood, she was an independent, determined, single parent with two young sons, Thomas and John, that she was rearing on her on.

Janice met Robert "Bob" E. Capps in the late 60's and they were married on June 6, 1969 in Dillion, SC. They had many wonderful adventures doing coastal fishing, taking the opportunity of flying to various casinos with friends, gardening, and taking joy in the simpler life they shared. They were married for almost 33 years until "Bob's" unexpected death on May 17, 2002.

The little things in life gave Janice great pleasure. Janice's curiosity took her on many excursions and interesting locations Exploring the great outdoors with family and friends with her metal detector. Opportunities were boundless for Janice and her metal detector with favorite locations being old places, the beach, the mountains and going to South Carolina where she might just catch the casino boat out for a day on the water (not for gambling). Meeting new people and many unusual finds were made on Janice's metal detecting adventures.

During Janice's many travels, her pleasure and enjoyment were heightened when she discovered old homes, tobacco barns, silos; anything that sparked a glimpse of her formative years that occurred during a more slow-paced, peaceful time.

Throughout Janice's life, she had a passion for helping our planet to survive through recycling, repurposing, recreating, reducing, and reusing any and everything. Through her love for thrift stores, yard sales and auctions, Janice picked up many items and then re-created those items into other objects to use for herself or to give to others.

Janice fully believed in the mottos: "Leave No Trace Behind" and "Leave Only Footprints". She kept a watchful eye on the road by her house and a continuous vigil of picking up trash and disposing of it properly.

Janice's creativity extended to furniture recovering and the art of sewing for herself and others. In an old, tattered chair, she could see the beauty of the chair with a new fabric. Janice could take a piece of cloth without a pattern (if needed, she would fashion her own pattern) and make a new outfit, a pillow, anything that could be imagined.

Janice was a voracious reader. She would read anything and everything with an open mind which gave her a broader perspective on the world. Also, It gave Janice the opportunity to have more informed ideas and opinions which she would share freely with anyone.

With Janice's life experiences, the avid reading, and her immense interest in others' ideas, she developed a witty sense of humor that would astonish and astound even the most seasoned of us who knew her. Janice would not have been a good poker player because she had a "give-away" when she was on the verge of giving a humorous outlook. A twinkle would come into her eyes, a quirky little grin, and raised eyebrows and out would come words that would "crack-up" the most staunch non-smiler. It definitely would make one think differently and examined their own opinions.

In Janice's long and productive life, she contributed her talents for many years in the local sewing industry along with the local textile industry. The word "retirement" was not in Janice's vocabulary as her life proceeded forward. Janice had a two-person cleaning service team for many years that consisted of herself and her granddaughter, Tabitha.

Two years ago, a new fellow came into Janice's life by happen-stance. He was a rough looking chap who needed a new, comfortable, loving home. At first, Janice was a little reluctant to let a new chap into her life; however, with a little gentle persuasion from her son, Thomas, Janice finally relented. Wa-la ! ! ! In came this rambunctious, mischievous two month old, scrawny little dog, "Hooch", who quickly took over the house gnawing and chewing to his heart's content. Time moved on, Hooch settled in. Janice spent many hours outside caring for and watching "Hooch" cavort about the yard which brought immense joy to her. As time marched on, "Hooch", also, gave great joy, much needed comfort and distraction to Janice, her son, Thomas, and her granddaughter, Tabitha, who were her caregivers.

Enjoyment was immense when Janice's grandchildren and all her relatives came for a visit and when she went to visit with them. She was eternally grateful for a full life of family and friends.

As a mother and a grandmother, Janice was extraordinary determined to have the very best for her children and grandchildren and they were to do their very best to help her to their shared goals. An obstacle was just another new challenge that Janice would go through, over, under, or around to harvest the many rewards from life for her family.

All the above, made Janice a very tough, independent lady who met life head-on and knew what she wanted for herself and for her family for the present and the future.

Janice's generous spirit led her to help others at the mere idea there was a need. She would take food, clean, and always had something in her hands for that particular person. Keeping that in mind,

Janice would like instead of flowers, please donate to St. Jude's Children Hospital:

https://www.stjude.org/give.html and visit a State or National Park to rejuvenate, to refresh, and see her in all of Nature's glory as the sun shines, the wind blows, the flowers bloom, and the trees change colors.

The world is a better place because of this fine, wonderful, generous lady, Janice Autry Capps, and so it will continue as her outlook on life will live on in EACH one of us.

THANK YOU ALL for your support, caring and comfort.

Share a memory, or condolence at www.cromartiemiller.com

Services entrusted to Cromartie-Miller Funeral Home, of Dunn, NC.