Daughter, sister, wife, mother, grand, and great-grand - a woman who loved well and was well loved: Janice Lynette Hayes-Hyde transitioned from earth to glory on Thursday, December 7, 2023.

Janice is the fourth of five children. She is preceded in death by her parents - Beatrice Virginia and Charles Horace Hayes, Jr., of Buckatunna, MS; one sister, Daisy Marie McCann; and two brothers, Charles DeWitt and Don Horace.

An early scholar graduate of Riverview High School, Waynesboro, MS, Janice attended Mississippi Valley State, Itta Bena, MS, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education and later earned her Master's in English at William Carey University, Hattiesburg. While living in Hattiesburg, she met and married her husband, Richard Leon Hyde, Jr.

An excellent classroom instructor, Janice served the Forest County Public School System and the Hattiesburg Public School System (including Covington and Lauderdale County) for 32 years, where she enjoyed teaching English Literature, particularly embracing her avid reading and love of poetry. In her early career, Janice also taught history. Prior to her illness, Janice was a faithful member of Morning Star Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS. As a deaconess, she served as chairperson of the Pastor's Aid and treasurer of Mission # 1. Her favorite and most comforting scripture is Psalms 23: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...."

Janice lived a life very rich in content. She will forever be remembered fondly not only for her infectious laughter but also for those whose lives she touched: Her devoted family, faithful friends, and a host of classroom students. She leaves to cherish her memory - her loving husband, Richard Leon Hyde, Jr.; two daughters: Kimberly (Errol Tyrone) Pierce, Fayette, MS, and Katrina Hyde, Hattiesburg, MS; two daughters in love - Debra Williams Evans (Wesley) and LaSonya Bournes, Jackson, MS; six grandchildren - Charles Ashton Bennett and Jordan Bennett, Trinity Hyde and Darrell Brown, Jr., (DJ), Madelyn Evans, and Errica Pierce Hamilton; two great grands - Jaxson Bennett and Dylan Pierce; one sibling - her oldest sister, Barbara Jean Carpenter-Lacey, Waynesboro, MS; a close niece and nephew - Christian Hines, Terrance Hyde, Hattiesburg, MS; a special niece and nephew - Donna Williamson, Joey Lacey, Waynesboro, MS, Buckatunna, MS; a loyal friend - Ludell Allen, Hattiesburg, MS and Dr. Rose Marie Butler-Hayes, a cousin and faithful friend, Chicago, IL; a special caretaker - Matasha McClain, as well as a sweet bouquet of nieces, nephews, and friends.

It is true, "Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again!"