Janice Carolyn Kennedy Koogler, of Sophia, NC, passed away peacefully in her bed at home on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, after a short illness and declining health. Born and raised in Biscoe, NC, Janice was the daughter of the late George Robert Kennedy and Georgia Carleen Dunn Kennedy. In her childhood, Janice was an avid lover of cats and enjoyed playing basketball. At Biscoe High School, she was an active member of the Debate Club and excelled as a right forward on the basketball team, spending countless hours “shooting hoops” on a dirt patch in her backyard.
Janice cherished her sisters, Sylvia Kennedy Long and Bobby Faye Kennedy Henderson, and lovingly cared for her little brother David during his early years. The siblings spent hours playing in the woods and often walked to their grandmother Flossie Dunn's house down the road to enjoy her homemade pies. The family was devoted to their faith, attending Biscoe Baptist Church every Wednesday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday night.
After high school, Janice pursued studies in X-ray technology at Rowan Community College, leading to a distinguished career as an X-ray technician. She was selected to travel to San Francisco to train in CT technology and received numerous cards and gifts from patients, recognizing her compassion and patience during stressful medical procedures. Janice was known for her “stomach of steel,” often stepping in to handle situations that others found overwhelming.
Janice met and fell in love with the late Anthony Lynn Koogler, son of the late Dr. Robert Benjamin Koogler and Ruth Colvin, shortly after her high school graduation. Tony, with his striking dark skin and ice-blue eyes, was quiet, mysterious, strong, and athletic. Their courtship included attending basketball games and dining at Blake’s restaurant in Candor. Tony’s stepmother, the late Pat Koogler, would often take him to The Hub in Pinehurst to pick out clothes for his dates with Janice.
They were married in Biscoe after Janice completed her X-ray studies. Her mother, Carleen Kennedy, made her wedding dress. The couple drove an old car to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon, where they had a wonderful time, deeply in love.
Janice and Tony had two daughters and lived a life that many would admire today. In addition to raising a family, keeping an immaculate home, and working full-time as an X-ray technician, Janice loved to bake. She was known for her cheese rings, candies, and cakes, with many people requesting her Italian Cream Cheese Cake and Fresh Coconut Cake for special occasions.
The family also kept horses and Doberman Pincher dogs, tended a large garden, and spent many weekends camping at Emerald Isle, NC, and Raccoon Holler in the NC Mountains. Unknown to many, Janice and Tony were avid tennis players and even placed second in a local High Point tournament, competing fiercely as a doubles team.
In her early twenties, Janice began attending Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, a place that became very dear to her. She was actively involved in the United Methodist Youth Group, where she organized and chaperoned ski trips and other fun activities for the youth. Some of the youth she cherished include Carol Land, the late Tabitha Bivens, Tim Meredith, Lisa Laughlin, Garrett Gann, Thomas Hill, Odie Harris, and Andy Paige Lee.
Janice was often selected as Chair of the Harvest Day Committee, where she organized large festivals and stayed up all night baking candies and cakes to raise funds for the church. Her sister, Sylvia Long, would faithfully attend and buy out any remaining cakes to help the church and her sister. She served on several important committees, sang in the choir for decades, and was a Lay Minister. Her ministry extended to women in the NC Department of Corrections.
Janice made lifelong friends during her time at Mt. Vernon. She was best friends with the immensely talented pianist JoAnne Foster for over 56 years, and the two spoke almost every day. Other treasured friends she loved dearly include the late Lela Ann White, Judy Upchurch, Polly Bulla, June Fulton, Anne Ledwell, Peggy Ledwell, Debbie White, the late Frances Maness, the late Irene McDonald, and the late Linda Sims, whose recent, unexpected death devastated Janice.
Janice also formed a close friendship with Lois Bohnsack, who introduced her to the P.E.O. Sorority. Janice was inducted into P.EO. and cherished the sisters and mission of P.E.O. She was loved by all the members, who frequently sent her cards and called her. She especially enjoyed reading devotionals at their meetings and kept her treasured P.E.O. materials in a special drawer.
Later in life, Janice made a new close friend, Vickie Davis. They hit it off immediately, and Vickie selflessly drove Janice to church and social events like "Charlie's Angels" after Janice could no longer drive.
Janice enjoyed several trips with her daughter Tiffany, including a memorable Caribbean cruise where she stayed in a penthouse with a butler. She danced in the rooftop disco until 3 AM and made friends who continued to email her from time to time. She described the cruise as one of the best times of her life. Janice also visited New York City after 9/11 and frequently traveled to Florida, where she answered phones in John Grant’s law office, where Tiffany worked. Janice navigated Tampa traffic like a pro, and watched Tiffany win a murder trial.
During the trial, Janice formed a lifelong friendship with the defendant’s sister, exchanging photos of their cats and Christmas cards for the rest of her life. They even met for a meal at Cracker Barrel, where they talked for four hours.
Janice remained close to friends from her X-ray career, including Phyllis Barnes of Salisbury and Sheryl Brogan of Cooleemee, NC. She also maintained connections with old friends of her daughter Tiffany, including Robert Napier of Wichita Falls, Texas, Philip Toister of Miami Beach, and Rob Richards of Boca Raton, Florida, all of whom loved her dearly and checked in on her. Another special and amazing friend is Jimmie Bradley, of Mt. Airy, NC. Jimmy would go to the store for my mother, take her out to eat, and made her laugh with his funny jokes.
Janice had a special place in her heart for animals. She kindly took in two large stray dogs, Buttons and Bella, for her daughter Tiffany, and cared for them for many years, feeding them chicken and rice every night and spending a fortune on vet bills despite a limited budget. Her cat Bert faithfully joined her on her lap every night to watch Jeopardy.
Janice had a deep and abiding faith in God, regularly reading her Bible. Toward the end of her life, she loved doing word search puzzles, and her daughter Stephanie got her a large print subscription. Stephanie crocheted her large blankets, hats, and throws—masterpieces to keep her warm.
Janice was a rare and loyal friend, standing by those she loved even in the face of adversity. She learned to live on a very limited budget after becoming disabled, and had to become very brave and resourceful. She reattached her car bumper herself, cut down tree limbs, push-mowed her yard, and made preserves and jellies. She also enjoyed listening to Earth, Wind & Fire at top volume while cleaning and was a decent shag dancer, participating in a few dance competitions with her late friend, Bob Swanson.
Janice is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Apple and Tiffany Koogler, as well as her beloved grandson, Malachi Levi Owens. She is also survived by her “adopted” son, Michael Vanderford, who stayed with her during the last two years of her life. Janice often referred to Michael as “the salt of the earth” and “easy like a Sunday morning” for his extraordinary kindness and patience. He faithfully took her to doctor appointments, brought her treats, and found her lost reading glasses every day.
Memorial service for Janice will be held on Wednesday, August 14, at 2:00 PM at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, 9931 Archdale Rd.,Trinity, NC. The service will feature live classical music and refreshments. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the irreplaceable and worthy life of Janice.
The family is under the care of Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services of Archdale. Online condolences may be shared at www.AdvantageArchdale.com.
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