Janis Annette West died peacefully in her group home at 35 Celo Street, Burnsville, NC surrounded by loved ones on Monday, July 25, 2016. Born June 4, 1958, Janis was the daughter of the late Texie West of Mars Hill and Jack West of Leicester. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Etta English, brother J.R. English, aunts Lou Yelton, Roxie Quandt, and Delzie Rasmussen. Janis is survived by her loving and devoted brother Jerry Edwards of Asheville and other close family: Pam Reed, Particia Jackson, Peggie Seay, Paula Moore, Sherrie Blackwell and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
During her youth, Janis attended Mars Hill Day Care, Irene Wortham Center, and Newton Elementary School. She received employment training and services through Mountains of Madison, Liberty Corner Enterprise, Blue Ridge Affirmative Enterprise, and Mountain Opportunity Center. She was a devoted member of Little Ivy Baptist Church in Mars Hill.
On July 1, 2003 Janis moved in the Yancey County Group Home in Burnsville, NC where she quickly became a loving member of her extended family: the staff and clients of Yancey Residential Services, Inc. She worshiped at the West Burnsville Baptist Church, Faith Baptist, Higgins Methodist, and St. Thomas Episcopal. Janis loved Camp Funshine and Yancey County Special Olympics. She is very well-known for her wit, warmth, and teasing shenanigans as a talented artist at the Shortbus Studio. Their final tribute to Janis is this: “Heaven will never be the same now that Janis is there, and our lives will never be same without her.”
Janis’s brother Jerry Edwards extends his love and appreciation to Gigi, Dot, Cassandra, and to each and every staff member of RHA, Yancey Residential Services, Inc. and the Shortbus Studio for making sure that Janis’s life was full of love, laughter, and adventure and for taking such good care of his precious sister. Jerry requests that donations in memory of Janis be made to Shortbus Studio, PO Box 849, Burnsville, NC 28714 to help provide special activities for her fellow housemates and artists.
Everyone who knew, admired, and shared special moments with Janis are invited to attend her memorial service on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at the Blue Ridge Funeral Home in Mars Hill. Family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Rev. Dwight W. Boone, Jr. of Burnsville will officiate. Internment will follow at the Little Ivy Baptist Church cemetery.
Online condolences can be sent to: www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.