Janie Willard Lee

Janie Avalee Willard Lee, 90, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at her daughter's Greensboro home, bathed in the love of her family. She was born in Oak Ridge and happily resided there nearly her entire life. For many decades, almost all her neighbors were siblings. She loved how they would all gather next door at her father's farmhouse every Sunday afternoon to tell stories. Janie worked hard to provide for her family and took great pride in her tidy little white house on Highway 150. She could often be seen tottering around her yard in the summer heat for hours on end, tiny watering can in hand, caring for the many beautiful flowers she loved to grow. It was impossible for her to walk past any weed, twig, or fallen leaf that dared invade her yard without bending over to pick it up, and she endured a lot of good-natured ribbing over this obsession. She was a born prankster, and few things could light up her beautiful smile like a good practical joke. She was selfless, caring, and kind, and always left her family and friends feeling deeply loved.

Janie was preceded in death by her parents Lucian Lenzie Williard and Viola Smith Jones Williard, her step-mother, Mintora Tilley Williard, siblings Bill Williard and Marie Morris, and half-siblings Paul Williard, Jay Williard, and Bertha Carlyle.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter Teresa Bean (Fred); son Steve Lee (Romona); and brother John Williard (Joann). Also surviving are her grandchildren, Shane Atkins, Angie Nelson (Andy), and Ashley Washam (Jason), and great-grandchildren Hailee Nelson and Jackson Washam.

A funeral service for Janie will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Union Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Roberson officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm until 12:45 pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Grove Baptist Church at 5424 Union Grove Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel is assisting the family.