Janice Vance (Wood) McLeod

Born to Mack L Wood and Lura Johnson Wood of Erwin, NC. The fifth of six children, Janice was raised in Harnett County NC where she and her future husband, TH McLeod Jr., were both members of the first graduating class of Buies Creek School. They were married in 1952 and began 24 years of traveling the globe with the U.S. Air Force. Living overseas and in many states around the U.S., they always made a sight seeing trip of their many moves across the country.

Janice was a devoted military wife and mother, raising four kids all over the country and far stretches of the world.  She says she didn’t have a favorite place, but made the most of wherever they were stationed. From the desert of Las Vegas to the snow and moose in Alaska to the beach picnics on the Mediterranean Sea along the coast of Africa, she took it all in stride.

After retiring from the Air Force in the mid 70’s, they returned to Buies Creek where they began a decades long endeavor of growing large vegetable gardens and beautiful flowers. Janice enjoyed freezing, canning, and pickling the year’s bounty, as well as making jellies and jams. She shelled and picked out pecans right up until this past winter. She also enjoyed golfing and she and TH went on many golf weekends with friends through the years.

Janice kept the baby nursery at Buies Creek First Baptist Church on Sunday mornings during Sunday school for over 20 years, making a point to learn each child’s idiosyncrasies to the delight of many young mothers. She would cook Sunday dinner early in the morning before reporting for nursery duty, attend church and have a delicious feast waiting for her family after the service.

Janice loved her family dearly.  She enjoyed get-togethers with both immediate and extended family and had them often. Her grandchildren adored her and learned to shuck corn, shell peas and butterbeans and pick grapes and blueberries. They even ate turnip greens at Grandma’s house.  

Today we find joy in knowing she is with her creator and reunited with her daughter Kim and her husband of nearly sixty years, as we mourn our loss on earth, she rejoices in Heaven.  Thank you for all the time you invested in us.  

She was preceded in death by her husband TH McLeod Jr and their daughter Kimberly Wood McLeod. She is survived by her children Lynn McLeod of Mills River NC, Jan McKnight (David) of Angier NC and Ted McLeod (Laura) of Buies Creek NC. Grandchildren Jesse McDaniels of Hendersonville NC, Miles McKnight of Angier NC and Kristen Lohnes (Jeremiah) of Virginia Beach, VA. Christopher Brennan of Durham NC, Timothy Brennan of Hickory NC, Michael Brennan (Denise) of Burlington VT, Patricia Jenings (Matthew) of Southington CT and Sean Brennan of Wendell NC. Great grandchildren Shailyn Frazier (Tristin) of Hendersonville NC and Kealey Owensby (Aaron) of Flat Rock NC. Liam Brennan of Wendell NC, Tate, Finley, and Shepherd Jenings all of Southington CT. Three great great grandchildren (one more on the way) as well as many nieces and nephews.  

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD  21741 or to Buies Creek First Baptist Church: 118 Main St, Buies Creek, NC 27506.  

A funeral service will be held 2pm Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Buies Creek First Baptist Church, 118 Main St., Buies Creek, NC 27506. 

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