Janice Sue Harris Gorsuch , 79, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, left this life on Sunday, January 8, 2017, to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jan was born in rural Wilkes County, the youngest of the twelve children of Robert H. Harris and Ethel Holloway Harris. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased in death by six sisters and four brothers. The last surviving sibling is Mrs. Florine Nicks of Siloam, NC. Jan is also survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, James R. (Jim) Gorsuch of Hildebran, son Jeff (Brenda) Gorsuch of Mills River, daughters Jenny (Charles) Martel of Pawleys Island, SC and June (William) Smith of Clover, SC, grandchildren Elizabeth (Tim) Davis of Creedmore, Jimmy (Megan)Parker of Pawleys Island, Rene (Ian) Canalis of Bogart, GA, Katie Parker of Black Mountain, Rachel (Eric) Hydrick of Mebane, James W. (Molly) Gorsuch of Hendersonville, and Thomas Wilson of Manassas, VA, and great grandchildren Carynn Davis, River Canalis, Audrey Canalis, Nora Canalis, Lincoln Canalis, Greta Parker, Harris Parker, Sidda Parker, and Ethan Hydrick. Jan’s life was devoted to her family, her church, her community, and especially to children. As a long-time member of Penelope Baptist Church, she served as a children’s Sunday School teacher, a nursery worker, and a deacon, as well as serving the church in numerous other capacities. She worked in Penelope Baptist Church’s Child Development Center. She earned an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and then served on the program’s advisory board. She was an avid supporter of the Baptist Children’s Home of North Carolina. The newly renovated administrative building at the Baptist Children’s Home in Thomasville is dedicated in her honor. For twenty years Jan participated as a Lay Minister in the Pastoral Care program at Frye Regional Medical Center. At Frye, she enjoyed conducting hearing tests on newborn babies and bringing joy to patients as Clicker in the clown ministry. She was active in Frye’s Auxiliary program with the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Hospitality House and served as president of the organization. She also volunteered with Catawba Regional Hospice. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Penelope Baptist Church in Long View, with Rev. Nicholas King, the Rev. Aubrey Folk, and the Rev. Don Ingle officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before to the service in the sanctuary vestibule. Interment will follow at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory.
Hickory Funeral Home is assisting the family in final arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina or to Penelope Baptist Church’s “Out of the Ashes” fund. The family would like to thank the staff’s at Springs of Catawba, Brian Center Viewmont, and Catawba Regional Hospice for their care and support for Jan. Online condolences may be left at www.hickoryfh.com.
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