She was born on July 7, 1936 to Thomas Kenneth and Ethelyn (Duncan) Murphy in DeKalb, MO.   Janice grew up in DeKalb and graduated from DeKalb High School.  She then attended Maryville Teachers College in Maryville, MO.

In 1958 Janice married her former husband Wendell Ford (currently of Liberty, MO).  In 1969 they moved to Gower, MO with their children Debra and Doug.  While living in Gower, Janice worked for TWA, the Farmer’s Bank and the Gower Convalescent Center.   In 1999 Janice moved to Gladstone, MO after retiring from her multiple years at TWA.

Janice was very active, enjoyed working in the yard, socializing with friends and was an avid fan of tennis and ice skating.   She was a volunteer for the Northland Shepherd’s Center in Gladstone, MO, the Northland Neighborhoods organization and was also a board member of the Ladies Auxiliary at North Kansas City Hospital.  She was truly committed to helping others.   She dearly loved her grandchildren and attending their activities and also enjoyed house sitting for her grand-dogs.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Bettie Best.

Janice is survived by her children Debra (Ford) McDonald and her husband David; Doug Ford and his wife Holly;grandchildren Connor McDonald, Camryn McDonald and Dylan Ford; her sister Jeraldine  Sue Smith and her husband John; several nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. 

Visitation:  Wednesday August 21, 2019, 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Gower Christian Church, 203 S. 3rd Street, Gower, MO.

Funeral Services:  Thursday August 22, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at Gower Christian Church.

Private Family Inurnment:  Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Weston, MO.

Donations may be made to the Northland Shepherd’s Center.

Arrangements: Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower, MO