Janice W. Slaughter

Dr. Janice Slaughter passed away peacefully at Charter Senior Living in Hermitage, Tennessee, on Sunday morning, November 17, 2024, after a long and memorable life at the age of 84.

A graduate of Ripley [Tennessee] High School, she furthered her education by graduating from Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee, obtained her Masters Degree at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and an Educational Doctorate Degree from the University of Memphis [Tennessee]. As a career member of the higher education community, she was a charter faculty member at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, TN, from 1971 to her retirement in May 2000. During a five-year hiatus, Janice traveled to Honshu, the main island of Japan, where she taught conversational English in several districts. She subsequently retired from Vol State and continued her travels around the world until 2021. Janice’s Christ-inspired compassion for her neighbors motivated her to spend countless hours making quilts for friends and strangers facing serious health concerns, providing comfort to more than two hundred families.

She is survived by children Gregory Fry, Karen Weldes Fry, brother Ray Whitley, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Janice was preceded in death by parents Virginia and John D. Whitley and brother John Beverly Whitley. A large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews, along with many friends and colleagues, will continue to miss her warm spirit and generosity to others.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at her member church, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, TN, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 6:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, Janice requested you consider donating to Home Bound Meals [https://hendersonvillehbmp.org/donate], The Foundation at VSCC [foundation@volstate.edu], or Good Shepherd United Methodist Church [BelongGSUMC.com/giving].