Janice Wheat

Janice Sherlene Wheat, age 62, and long-time resident of Tuscaloosa, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning February 10, 2018 in Provo, Utah.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Marion Beck Wheat and Marilyn Louise Boggs, and by her brother Myron Murray “Ray” Wheat.

She is survived by six siblings, Darrell Wade Wheat (Ellen) of Citrus Springs, Florida; Judy Wheat Christensen (Steve) of Orem, Utah; Carla Wheat Mastro (Victor) of Panama City, Florida; Nora Wheat Clagg (Brad) of Seattle, Washington; Hilary "Shane" Wheat of Aguada, Puerto Rico; and Christian Alan Wheat (Ivanna) of Medellin, Colombia. She is also survived by her children, Angela Miles (Paul) of Roswell, Georgia; Eddie Walker (Amanda) of Panama City, Florida; and Taylor Jamison Overeem of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and four grandchildren, Maddox, Flynn, Cody, and Autumn.

Janice was born at Fort Jackson outside of Columbia South Carolina. When she was 13 she moved with her father and four siblings to Fairbanks, Alaska, where her favorite pastimes were skiing, playing pool, and playing card games. As the oldest of five children in a single-parent household, she shouldered the responsibility of tending and caring for her younger siblings.

When she was in high school, she left Alaska and returned to South Carolina to live with her mother, Marilyn, and finish school. During this time she met and married Woodrow Miles. Together they had a beautiful baby girl and named her Angela. That marriage ended after a couple of years. Janice also gave birth to two healthy boys, Eddie Ray and Taylor Jamison.

Mental illness was a cross that Janice bore throughout her life. Although she had to deal repeatedly with difficult circumstances and conditions, she responded with resiliency and compassion. She loved the Lord and had a great desire to serve him. She was feisty, willful, determined, and kind.

Janice enjoyed doing latch hook crafts, painting and knitting. She touched others lives through cards and letters. She was generous with what she had and anxious to lift those around her. She was a loving and loyal sister, friend, and mother and will be sorely missed.

Condolences may be left for the family on this page.