Janice Christine Smith McCormack

Janice S. McCormack left this earthly domain on June 18, 2023, confident in her faith, filled with the love of her family and bolstered with the deep assurance she would be reunited with the love of her life, the late Dr. John McCormack.

Janice Christine Smith, daughter of the late Milton D. and Julia Christine Smith was born on December 28, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama. Jan, as she was fondly known by family and friends, loved to dance. She was enrolled in dance classes in many fast growing southern cities, Charlotte, Atlanta, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham where her father’s work as a BellSouth executive took their family. Jan fondly remembered riding the streetcar in Atlanta to dance class by herself at 6 years of age. While she excelled in ballet, her favorite classes were tap and jazz and she continued to dance throughout her life. The family had settled back in Birmingham in time for Jan to graduate from Shades Valley High School in 1956.

Jan chose to attend her beloved Auburn University, where she was a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity and met an adorable red-headed veterinary student who had asked her to dance at a party. Jan and John married on her birthday in 1957, and embarked on a true partnership and love affair for the next 62 years. They were blessed with 3 children: Tom (born in Auburn, AL), Lisa (born in Foley, AL), and Paul (born in Butler, AL) while Jan supported John’s bustling private veterinary practice and clinic. She was often the steady voice on the radio having assured anxious clients and directing John to his next patient.

In 1970, Jan and John made the bold move to leave private practice, their close friends and idyllic small-town life in Butler and return to Auburn University, pursuing a career in Veterinary teaching which took them to UGA, LSU, UGA, Cal-Davis and again back to UGA. During those years, all while raising her family, Jan took a very active role in the Vet-Med Auxiliary at each of the Universities. She served in both state and national leadership positions with the GVMA and AVMA respectively, and served alongside John as an OTS sponsor, hosting hundreds of students in their homes over the years sharing experience and wisdom that helped both the students and their spouses succeed in their chosen profession.

As Jan’s nest emptied, and she and John continued their travels across the globe, she chose to return to school for paralegal training, and like all things to which she set her mind, she excelled and was named the 1987 Goal Recipient at Athens Tech. She worked part-time for attorney Bill Bushnell in Athens, and thoroughly enjoyed her time in this career.

However, her greatest and most beloved role was that of Mimi to her 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Jan was an incredibly supportive and generous grandmother, attending band performances, dance recitals, soccer matches, wrestling tournaments, hosting egg hunts, buying Christmas toys for entire classes, hosting birthday parties and taking each of the grands on trips of a lifetime. She forever will be remembered driving her Chevy Suburban filled with the 6 grands, pool noodles, stacks of towels, and snacks of all varieties, air conditioner blasting while she donned her fuzzy earmuffs warding off that dreaded summer earache!

Jan’s faith was a source of great inspiration and comfort to her throughout her life. She was a faithful member of First UMC of Butler, First UMC of Greensboro and Tuckston UMC. She was called as a Stephen Minister and faithfully served her communities to the glory of God.

In addition to her parents, Jan was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Dr. John McCormack and sister-in-law, Frances McCormack Tankersley (Frank). Left to cherish her memory are: beloved brother, Milton Dixon Smith (Jane Elizabeth); daughter, Lisa Yee (Wayne Eklund); sons: Tom McCormack (Mary) and Paul McCormack (Kim); as well as grandchildren: Christine, Dillon, Maddie, Calli, Cassi, Cort; and great-grandchildren: Bella, John Tucker and Mason; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as an extensive network of cherished family and friends, especially her caregiver and beloved friend, Janice Shields and her family.

Funeral services and burial will be held on Saturday, June 24, at 12:00 noon, at Tuckston United Methodist Church, 4175 Lexington Rd., Athens, GA 30605, with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Athens Tech Foundation, 800 US Highway 29 North, Athens, GA 30601, phone: (706) 355-5025.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.