Janice Elizabeth Taylor

Janice Elizabeth Taylor, 78, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025, at her home in Lillington. She was born in Forsyth County, the daughter of the late Russell Stamey Taylor, Jr. and his wife, Nell Hurst Taylor. Janice is survived by her sister, Debbie T. Smith, her children and their spouses, Jay and Melissa Smith, their children Taylor and Henry, Jamie and Brooke Smith and their child Lennon, and Nicole and Tyler Murchison, their children Colby, Grant and Rhett. Janice is also survived by her brother, Stamey R. Taylor and his wife Julie S. Taylor, their children and their spouses Lauren and William Ball, their child Luke, and Brian and Reagan Taylor and their children Russell and Owen.

Janice graduated from Lillington High School in 1965 and later from UNC Greensboro with a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design. Her work career began as a buyer with Thalheimers Department Stores in Richmond, Va and years later returned to Lillington to work in the Harnett County School System until her retirement in 2018.

Janice was devoted to both her family and the church. She was always present for family gatherings no matter the distance. Janice especially enjoyed the family vacations at the beach which seemed to always coincide with her birthday on July 4th. Janice was a loving daughter and sister who never missed the opportunity to help when the situation arose. She was particularly proud of her nieces and nephews. Janice followed each of their lives closely attending each niece’s and nephew’s middle school, high school and college graduations. She was also present for each niece and nephews wedding and would eventually become a great aunt of 7 boys and 2 girls.

Janice was a member of the Lillington Presbyterian Church since 1956. She was very active in the church while also serving in many leadership roles. Jancie served as Elder and Chairman of numerous committees of the Session including Worship and Stewardship. She was also served as Circle Chairman of the Women of the Presbyterian Church but probably her favorite church involvement was being a member of the choir. Janice was known by many in the church as “being wherever she was needed and always dependable.”

The family will receive friends from 10:00-10:45 AM Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in the Lillington Presbyterian Church fellowship hall. A funeral service will follow in the sanctuary at 11:00 AM with Rev. Jenny Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Harnett Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lillington Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 245, Lillington, NC 27546 or St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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