Mrs. Janice Lucille Smith Laney, age 69, of Willacoochee, Georgia, passed away Sunday morning, March 8, 2026, at her niece’s residence following a recent illness.
Janice was born July 30, 1956, in Orlando, Florida, to the late William Marion Smith and the late Marion Delois Rowe Smith. She made her career in retail working for Walmart and was a member of the Willacoochee Church of God. Along with her parents, Janice was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Howard Edward Laney; one daughter, Tina Mason; one grandson, Todd Mason; one great grandson Levi Smith, as well as two brothers: Daniel Smith and Charles Smith.
Janice leaves behind two children: William Howard Laney and wife, Crystal, of Willacoochee, Georgia, Mary Marie Graham and husband, Scott, of Willacoochee, Georgia; one son-in-law, Dennis Mason, of Blackshear, Georgia; 17 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; three sisters: Linda Carver of Willacoochee, Georgia, Theresa Mathis and husband, Jimmy, of Lakeland, Georgia, Angie Bowen and husband Jake of Douglas, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Carol Wood of Willacoochee, Georgia; along with a number of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Janice’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, at Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral will be held in her honor on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Willacoochee City Cemetery.
Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Janice’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Janice’s arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.