Janis Hart

Janis was 69 when she died unexpectedly of natural causes at her home in Tampa on May 9, 2016. A real “Florida Girl," Janis was born at Tampa General Hospital on July 9, 1946. She was the daughter of Ruby Elizabeth (Emory) and Charles C. Hart Jr., both deceased. Janis was a devoted daughter, a nurturing pet owner, and a bold world-traveler. She was always strong-willed and a little eccentric, all of which made her fascinatingly interesting. She graduated with honors from H.B. Plant High School in 1964. With her life-long love of dogs, cats and horses, Janis initially considered a career as a veterinarian. However, she pursued real estate opportunities in Tampa before joining Borg Warner Acceptance Corporation in its management, and overseeing its financial operations in the Tampa Bay region and across Florida. In 15 years with BWAC, she rapidly rose to become its national director of marketing in its Chicago headquarters. After more than a year there, Janis resigned her senior position saying, in her uniquely southern voice, “Chicago is too cold and freezing in the winter, and there are no southern gentlemen in that city!” From there, Janis departed the corporate world and joined her mother in operating a Christmas shop near a family cabin in Hiawassee, Georgia. It was there that her artistic talents and joy of celebrating Christmas took over. After several years going between the Georgia mountains and the beaches along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Janis joined Primeco in Tampa and was on the ground floor of the first wireless telecommunications company in Florida. After progressing in that new industry, Janis joined AT&T Towers, as the project manager for collocating its tower sites in the Southeastern region. Janis was a consummate professional in real estate, finances and negotiations, but her greatest joy came from her longstanding friendships with many special people in her life, traveling internationally, an unbridled love of animals, being close to nature, a deep spirituality from her Cherokee heritage and Christian faith, and her great pride and love of her great niece and nephew, Maddie and Charlie. She was a cherished daughter, sister, aunt and great aunt, niece, cousin and a life-long friend. The immediate family will host a wake and viewing of Janis to receive friends and guests on Thursday evening, May 19th, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held in the MacDill Chapel of the funeral home at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 20th, with graveside services immediately following at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, and the Reverend Kathy Conner of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Honorary Pallbearers are Chris Hart IV, Charlie Hart, Douglas Townes, Ben Fox, Bob Fox, Bill Fox, Nate Thomas, and Jerry Powers. She is survived by her brother, former Commissioner and US Army LTC (Ret.) Chris Hart III and his wife Patricia of Tampa; dear nephew Chris Hart IV and his wife Amy, and the pride of her life, great niece Madeline (Maddie) L’Elle Hart and great nephew Charles (Charlie) C. Hart V, all of Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janis’ name to the Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT), a non-profit veterinary clinic and hospital, dedicated to the medical care and treatment of cats and dogs. Contact ACT at www.actampa.org, 813.250.3900, 1719 W. Lemon St., Tampa, FL 33606.Arrangements under the direction of Blount & Curry FH-Macdill Chap, TAMPA, FL.