Janice Kay (O'Neal) Adcox

Janice Kay Adcox, 79 of Merced, California died on Sunday May 16th, 2021 at Emanual Hospital in Turlock, California. Janice was born December 22, 1941 in El Centro, CA to Thomas Curtis and Edith La Vaughn O’Neal.

Janice is survived by several sisters who were related by birth, marriage, or adoption: Phyllis O’Neal, Mary Moffitt, Sandra Clay of Merced, Emma Roberts, of Chowchilla, Joyce Herring of Holdenville, Oklahoma; step-brother Arthur McAninch of Holdenville, Oklahoma and step-daughters Lori Pendergrass of Lynnwood, Washington and Jani Garcia of Lake Stevens, Washington. Janice is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Janice is remembered fondly by her best friend since high school, Dolores (Allen) Ring of Merced and Louisa Benhissen of Merced, who referred to Janice as one of her “American Mums.”

Janice was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Curtis and Edith La Vaughn O’Neal, step-sister Linda Clay, and step-daughter Terry Demera.

Janice attended grammar school mostly in Chowchilla and graduated from Chowchilla Union High School in 1959. Janice was married to Jim Adcox from 1974 to 1986. Through her marriage she happily acquired three stepdaughters: Terry, Lori, and Jani. Lori and Jani lived with Janice & Jim.

Janice lived in Merced for over 30 years. Prior to living in Merced, she resided in Madera and Chowchilla, CA. She worked in Data Entry for Farmers Insurance for many years, both in the Merced and Pleasanton Regional offices. After retirement, Janice maintained friendships with many of her coworkers, attending luncheons and other functions as well as participating in retiree group activities. She is remembered for her quick wit and engaging laugh as well as her friendliness, kindness, and compassion towards others. She had a way of making people feel good just being around her.

Janice enjoyed family gatherings, traveling, gardening, arts & crafts, bargain shopping, “collecting” (“Oh! I have one of those, let me go and find it for you!”), and loved all animals. She enjoyed many trips locally, especially the San Francisco Bay Area to see musicals, plays and go to the beach. Janice will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Over the last several weeks, when speaking about Janice, friends and family referred to her as “sweet”, “a sweetheart”, “kind”, “the greatest” and “a gentle soul”.

Janice had intermittent health issues and as a result had a kidney transplant 25 years ago. She was hospitalized March 14, 2021 and transferred to three hospitals until being admitted to Emanuel Hospital in Turlock for emergency surgery on April 30th. She did well initially after surgery but preexisting conditions finally caused her condition to deteriorate and she died in the Hospice unit at Emanuel on May 16th, 2021.

Many thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Emanuel Hospital for the attention and care shown to Janice and her family. We could not have asked for more compassionate or better care.

Many thanks to our family, friends and neighbors for their support, prayers, and assistance during the last two months.

A Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Chowchilla Cemetery District, 23359 Road 14 1/2, Chowchilla, California.