Janice Nunnelee

Janice Lessley Hartle Nunnelee, 96, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, at her home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Monday, Feb. 23, 1920, at Gravel Hill, the daughter of A.E. "Earl" and Hema O. Lessley Hartle. Janice and Joe Robert Nunnelee were married Aug. 30, 1942, in Jackson. To this union, two sons were born, Joe Mark Nunnelee and Gregory Hartle Nunnelee, both of whom preceded her in death.

She graduated from Jackson High School in 1938, continuing her formal education at Southeast Missouri State University and obtaining her undergraduate degree in 1942. Her experiences as a traveling librarian and love of reading inspired her to seek further education, receiving her master's degree in library science from the University of Illinois in 1958. The joy of learning continued throughout her lifetime, and she obtained additional education at the University of North Carolina and the University of Missouri.

She taught English for one year at Lutesville (Missouri) High School. In the schools of Mississippi County, Missouri, she was a traveling librarian, driving a bookmobile van to various schools. These experiences motivated her to continue her education to become a collegiate librarian at Southeast Missouri State University. She was a reference librarian for over 30 years at Kent Library.

During her professional career, she was a member of the Missouri Library Association, the Missouri State Teachers Association, the Southeast Missouri Teachers Association, the American Association of University Women and Delta Kappa Gamma.

While her sons were growing up, she was a Cub Scout den mother and a co-sponsor of the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF).

Her enduring love of her family, her God and her work in education marked her life, while reading, gardening, travel and enjoyment of the beauty of God's wonderful world filled the extra moments with joy.

She is survived by a great-granddaughter, Marissa Anne Nunnelee; two great-great-grandsons, Jayden and Chayse Bozman; a wonderful daughter-in-law and faithful caretaker, Sharon Slater Nunnelee; along with a host of beloved friends who were honored to know her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband; both sons; and grandsons, Mark Britton Nunnelee and Shelley Slater Nunnelee.

The family wishes to thank Crown Hospice and Jim and Judy Leigh for their exemplary care and support provided to Janice during her final days.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until noon Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The service will follow at noon Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jeff Long officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, Crown Hospice or Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 110, New York, NY 10277-1218.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.