Janice Hellams

JACKSONVILLE — The family of Mary Janice Hellams, age 85, will celebrate her life at 2PM Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Barbara Morgan of First Christian Church officiating. She will be laid to rest at Still Waters Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville.

A viewing will begin on Friday, November 17, 2023, until 6 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with family receiving guests 1 hour before service time on Saturday.

Janice had an exuberant life full of laughter, adventure, traveling and a lifetime full of shared love with her family and friends. Anyone that met Janice instantly laughed and became her friend. She loved telling stories, jokes/puns, and playing Bridge! She was an intelligent, compassionate, independent, strong, beautiful woman who enjoyed life to the fullest!

She was born in Kokomo, Indiana on June 21, 1938, to Angus George Jones and Kathleen (Foulger) Jones. Janice had two stepbrothers – Lauren and Jerry; sister, Diane Shank and brother, Robert Jones. In Kokomo, Indiana Janice’s mother entered Janice in a Beautiful Baby Contest and “Baby” Janice won! She graduated from Robert Lee High School in Baytown, Texas. She was in the marching band and played the bugle. Janice married David Leroy Towler, Jr. on February 27, 1955. Her husband, Leroy worked his way up the ladder at Beall’s Department Store from store maintenance, salesman, assistant manager, manager to the administrational position, Supervisor of Store Operations at Beall’s General Office. Leroy and Janice moved to several towns in Texas and Ardmore, Oklahoma. Along the way, Janice joined many Newcomers Clubs, Beta Sigma Phi and played golf. She learned how to play bridge at the YMCA. Finally, Leroy and Janice made a hometown in Jacksonville. Janice was the President of the Cherokee Country Club Ladies’ Golf Association in 1994, even played tennis, a Pink Lady at Nan Travis Hospital, member of Beta Sigma Phi and member of several Bridge Clubs. She loved people and they loved her humor and boisterous personality. Leroy passed away on March 30, 1983.

Janice met Robert Hellams in May 1983 and married on October 14, 1985. It was a life full of friendships, love, and adventure. Bobby was Chief Pilot for 21 years’ service at Builders Best of Jacksonville. They were members of the United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, Churn Club, Cherokee Country Club and Cherokee III Hunting Club. Janice flew with Bobby on many business and pleasure trips all over the country and abroad. They loved entertaining friends and family.

Janice passed away on November 13, 2023, at Twin Oaks Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leroy Towler; stepbrothers/brother. Janice is survived by husband, Robert Hellams; sister, Diane Shank; two daughters – Terrie Towler Shank and husband Tom; Jana Towler Bateman and husband David; stepdaughters – Georgiana Norcross and husband David; Jodie Wessinger and husband Dr. Kevin Wessinger; grandchildren – David T. Bateman and wife Emily; Kimberley A. Shank; great grandchildren – Henry and George Bateman; step grandchildren – Kelli Wessinger and husband Mike Veale; Alex Wessinger; nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Special thanks and blessings for all the love and care given to Janice by Twin Oaks and Heart to Heart Hospice. Rather than customary condolences donations in memory of Janice can be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association alz.org

Heart to Heart Hospice hearttohearthospice.com/location/tyler/