Jane Barnett Carrico

Born on March 7, 1930, in Elliston, Virginia, Jane remained proud of her Blue Ridge heritage throughout her life and worked hard to preserve the Barnett and Weddle family histories as far back as she could. With her southern drawl, Jane was quick to share stories of her ancestors, often with a smile and her infectious laugh when it came to “the sordid details.”

As part of The Greatest Generation, Jane endured both the Depression and World War II, after which she began working at the Pentagon as a secretary which ultimately led her to sitting in on meetings with Werner Von Braun and in her words, “more Brass than I could count.”

Jane later worked for Western Electric where she met her beloved second husband Andrew Carrico, Jr., a combat veteran of World War II who served in the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater. Everyone knew how much in love Andy and Jane were, and she often spoke fondly of their shared travels and adventures. Nothing made Jane happier than to look at photos of her Andy and tell stories of “my angel” who “gave me a lifetime of happiness.”

Theirs was a love story which lasted for decades that was too short by a millennium.

Together Andy and Jane traveled to his World War II-unit reunions and rekindled friendships around the world on cruises and other vacations, as well as cherished visits to their family spread across the United States.

After their wedding on July 23, 1977, the Carricos lived in Springfield, VA before retiring to their custom-built dream home on Hilton Head Island, SC, where they weathered several hurricanes, taught their grandchildren to swim in the ocean and nearby pool, toured around the island on bicycles and so much more. Grandchildren all learned to watch their silverware during dinner due to Andy’s mischievous sense of humor. When the offended youngster would declare him the thief, Andy would simply smile and say, “Who, me?!”

It is quite possible that they were the world’s greatest grandparents.

Andy and Jane moved south to beautiful Venice, Florida in 2006 and remained there until Andy’s passing in 2016 at age 98, after which Jane moved back home to Roanoke, VA to be near her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. She lived at the Friendship Retirement Community where she continued her family history work while humming along to Andy’s old 1940s music.

Even in her advanced years, Jane was a firecracker who was keen for an adventure, so long as she had a “wing” (arm) to lean on to get there which included several trips to Salt Lake City, UT and Wyoming’s Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park. When visited by family, she often stayed up way past her bedtime giggling and telling stories and her deviled eggs, boiled custard, breakfast bake and pecan (pronounced pee-can) pie were famous delicacies.

Jane loved her family more than the words can convey and she prayed for their happiness and well-being, a practice we are sure she continues from her exalted station.

Jane also loved her country and was fiercely patriotic. She was a true Southern Belle who was genteel and strong, kind and loyal. We will miss her never-missed birthday calls and Christmas cards, her near-infinite well of family lore and her quick smile and laughter. She was one-of-a-kind who fit right in in The Greatest Generation because she was the greatest.

She is with her beloved Andy again, and all their friends who passed before her. We can only imagine the ruckus these two angels, and all their 11th Airborne Division Angel friends, are causing in Heaven. St. Peter will have his job cut out for him for days to come.

Jane is survived by her daughter Candace (Jeffrey). Her loving grandchildren from Candy’s family include Jessica (Nate), Matthew (Sherrie), Jeremy (Lyndsey), and Linnea (Joe). Grinny will always be remembered by her great-grandchildren Izack, Cayden, Trevor, Kenzie, Kierra, Gracie, Ammon, Ollie and Milo. Jane was thrilled to welcome her great-great-grandchildren Arlo, Cruz, Luca and Rubie.

Jane is also survived by her son Richard (Rick) Compton, his daughter Laura Beth Cox (Dana), his partner Carol DiDonna, her daughter Aimee McAllister (Mark) and family. 

Jane was loved, cherished, and accepted as Great Grandmother by Aimee’s children Trevor (Faith) Osborne, Jarod Osborne, Dylan Osborne and fiancée Marin, as well as Trent Kruger (Katelyn) son of Chris Kruger (deceased), the son of Carol DiDonna.  

Jane was a special “GiGi” Grandmother to Kayleigh McAllister, and a great-great-grandmother to Daniel Osborne (Trevor/Faith).

A celebration of Jane’s life will be held on April 4, 2025, at 2pm at the Blue Ridge Funeral Home in Roanoke, VA, followed by a graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jane and Andy’s names to 511pir.com, a historical repository dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II.