Missionary Janice Acola Murchison passed away Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Age 76 years.  She was born January 8, 1943 in Villa Ridge, Illinois. Janice was the oldest of 13 children.

Janice attended schools in Mound City, Illinois including Lovejoy High School through 10th grade.  The summer between her 10th and 11th grade she came to Lansing, Michigan for summer vacation with her uncle and aunt, Eugene and Zelma Flanagan. Janice stayed in Lansing and attended J. W. Sexton High School from which she graduated.  After high school, she worked several years for the State of Michigan Agricultural Department. Janice attended Michigan State University where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in K-12 Education.  She was hired by the Lansing School District as a kindergarten teacher. Janice was an educator for over 30 years with her last school being Kendon Elementary School.  She also taught at Michigan State University in the College of Education. Janice was proud to be the first sibling to leave home in pursuit of her educational goals.  Family was very important to her.  Some of her other siblings followed her to Lansing to pursuit their life goals.  Janice was always there to assist them when they arrived.  Janice met and married Jocelyn "Joe" Murchison. They were blessed with their only son, J.  Eugene Murchison.  Janice had many activities she enjoyed including traveling, flower gardening, her participation in church as a long-standing member of Robinson Memorial Church of God in Christ as a missionary and most importantly her family. She was community minded and assisted people whenever she could.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving son, J. Eugene (Wendy) Murchison; granddaughter, Jocelyn L. Murchison;  great-granddaughter, Zuri Thomas; five sisters, Mamie (Lawrence) Stanley of Atlanta, GA, Ardella (Nathan) Thomas of Sycamore, IL, Avery Young and Robbie Waddy of Decatur, IL and Reba Waddy of Villa Ridge, IL; five brothers, Ralph Waddy  and Orval Waddy of Olmsted, IL, Jerome Waddy of Lansing, MI, Lowell Waddy of Michigan City, IN, and Orrie Waddy of Grand Chain, IL; special aunt, Zelma Flanagan of Lansing, MI; uncle, George Hurt of Muskegon, MI; special cousin and friend, Dorothy Mae Picard of Lansing, MI; goddaughter, Sherri Bromfield of Atlanta, GA; godson, Johnnie L. Sudduth of Lansing, MI, many nieces, nephews including special nephew and jokester, Clement Waddy, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special friend, Julia Guill.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Jocelyn "Joe" Murchison; parents, Ralph and Fern Waddy; and sister, Charlotte Crockran.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rileyfuneralhome.com