Janice Wingard

Janice was born July 30, 1940, in a log cabin on the Mitchell County Line Road in front of Liberty Hill Baptist Church. She passed away May 31, 2026 after a lengthy battle with Parkinsons at Southern Pines Assisted Living in Thomasville, GA. 

Janice was the daughter of the late Mattie Kate Roberts Bennett and Mason Bennett. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Roy Bennett, and great nephew Mason Bennett. She is survived by her children: Katherine Foote, Zana Spell, Ben Wingard wife Judy; grandchildren: Pete Foote, Tori Foote, Skylar Wingard, Savannah Wingard; sister-in-law Dawn Bennett, and nephews: Blake Bennett and wife Stephanie and son Perry, Barry Bennett and wife Lisa and son Lane, Brandon Bennett and wife Paige and daughters Addison and Riley. She leaves behind many cousins and family friends. 

Janice lived life to the fullest. She was born on a farm and worked on the farm until she married Peter Glenn. Peter was the love of her life. She lost Peter in 1959, when he was killed while helping others. Janice went on the marry two more times. Yet she always considered herself a widow. 

Janice believed in getting your education and had a motto of "work hard and save your pennies". Before she became an educator, she was a secretary to the Lt. Governor and often told the story of babysitting Amy Carter, before Jimmy was even considered to be Governor. She later ran a nursery, then became a factory worker. She also prepared taxes.

Janice thrived on education. She attended Norman Park College and later received a bachelor's degree in education, a Masters of Elementary Education, a Masters in Ed Leadership and Ed Specialist from Valdosta State University. Janice is fondly known as the best math teacher a student could have. She taught at Hamilton Elementary and later became assistant principal in Mitchell County. 

Janice never let the grass grow under her feet. She was Ski Devil in Moultrie, a member of the PTA, girl scout leader, and volunteered for Pelham Parkway and Pelham food bank. She went on many bus tours, trips to Biloxi, cruises, and enjoyed Edgewater at Panama City Beach. She was on the Price is Right and danced with Bob Barker. She also had a letter published by Dear Abby about the joys and rights of smokers.

Janice was a member of Burns Memorial Church in Cotton. She loved her church family and was active in the church until she went into Assisted Living at Southern Pines.

The memorial service will be held at Burns Community Church (Burns Memorial) in Cotton Saturday, June 6,2026. Visitation will be at 10:30 am. The service will begin at 11 am. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Liberty Hill Cemetery Fund in care of Hank Autry, 101 Hinsonton Road, Meigs, GA 31765.