Janice Rebecca Parker Padgett, age 91, of Asheville, NC passed away peacefully on August 10, 2024.
Janice was born July 28, 1933, in Hayesville, NC to Robert Harley and Dorothy Rogers Parker. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her elder brother, Jack Parker, and elder sister, Lucille Parker Smith.
Janice attended Hayesville High School, where she played varsity basketball, graduating with the class of 1951. She completed a two-year course of study at Berry College in Rome, Georgia then moved to Appalachian State Teachers' College where she achieved a B.A. in home economics education, and where she later returned to finish her Master's.
She would eventually attain a second Master's in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, with which she established a Pilot program to prepare high school students for certification in the field of Day Care.
After a full and rewarding teaching career in Buncombe and Henderson Counties, Janice continued to serve the interests of children as a Guardian ad Litum. Later she found great enjoyment as a Master Gardener.
Janice Parker Padgett gave of her considerable talent to enrich the lives of the young people of her community and she will be greatly missed.
Janice is survived by four children: Leigh Padgett, Jonathan Padgett, Patrick Padgett and Amy Padgett Rinkevich; and three grandchildren: Rebecca Rinkevich, Seth Rinkevich and Harley Padgett.
A service will be held at Ledford's Chapel in Hayesville. NC on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00am. Rev. Jackie Sellers will officiate. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery.
Donations may be made in honor of Janice to the At Risk Children's Foundation or the Clay County Historical and Arts Council.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
Grace Juanita Beaver 
