Janet Binkley Erwin

Janet Erwin (77) passed away peacefully on Sept. 9th, 2017, at her home at St. Augustine Plantation in Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. Janet succumbed to the effects of end-stage renal failure, but spent her final days in relative comfort due to the wonderful support of Big Bend Hospice, the caring staff at St. Augustine Plantation, and her local family and friends.

Janet truly blessed all who knew her with her kind words, her ability to listen and offer a thoughtful response, her keen intellect, her love of nature, her love of writing and art, and her open acceptance of all people. Her home was always a refuge to anyone in need of a comforting word or a welcoming smile.

Janet was born January 31st, 1940, in Durham, NC, as the younger daughter of Dr. Olin Binkley and Mrs. Pauline Binkley of Wake Forest, NC. She is survived by her sister, Pauline Cheek, and brother-in-law, Edwin Cheek, of Mars Hill, NC; her friend and the father of her children, David Erwin, and his wife, Jill Marcum, of Balsam, NC; her daughter, Vicki Erwin-Wilson, M.D., and son-in-law, Les Wilson, M.D., of Tallahassee, FL; her son, Gill Erwin, and daughter-in-law, Claudia Riesel-Erwin, of Longwood, FL; 11 grandchildren (Sevin Wilson [age 26], Satori Wilson [age 24], Season Wilson [age 23], Anja Erwin [age 23], Bridge Wilson [age 21], Bliss Wilson [age 19], Nina Erwin [age 19], Pace Wilson [age 17], Prophecy Wilson [age 16], Maya Erwin [age 16], and Beneson Wilson [age 14]); and 4 nieces and 1 nephew.

Janet grew up in Wake Forest, NC, and attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature in 1960. She went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in English Literature from Duke University in 1961. Janet later worked as a Graduate Assistant teaching English at Pacific Lutheran University and Florida State University. Her love of writing included the publishing of a book of poems, “Surviving Hopeful”, as well as many other unpublished works. Janet was always eager to proofread a manuscript or term paper, or otherwise offer friendly counsel.

Janet was a strong supporter of maintaining our beautiful Florida springs and was known to swim on a daily basis over a period of decades at the River Sink chain of springs south of Tallahassee. She continued her love of the water by swimming on a regular basis at Premier Health and Fitness Center. She more recently enjoyed her coffee group, book club, watercolor and poetry classes, and the many friends she met through the Senior Center of Tallahassee.

Culley’s Funeral Home is handling her arrangements. In keeping with Janet’s request for simplicity, no formal services have been planned. Details of a private ceremony will be communicated to her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Janet’s name to any charity that would hold mutual significance to you both.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.