Janice Pinion

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Janice Meredith Bright Pinion, 96, a longtime educator and resident in Caruthersville, died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.

She was born Sept. 9, 1915, in Acadia, La., daughter of Robert Erle and Nelle Sensing Bright.

She married Dr. Ralph Dixon Pinion, a dentist and lifelong resident of Caruthersville, on Dec. 29, 1941, in Tacoma, Wash.

Mrs. Pinion start teaching in Caruthersville while Dr. Pinion served in World War II in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and in France and Germany for four years.

Mrs. Pinion graduated from Humboldt High School and from Memphis State University. She began teaching in Tiptonville, Tenn., at the age of 19. Through the years, she taught many subjects including math, chemistry, French and home economics in both junior high school and high school.

She was widely known as an excellent cook and an accomplished seamstress. She was musically talented and played the organ for the Eastwood Memorial Methodist Church. She also enjoyed working in her flower beds and was often the recipient of the Yard of the Month award.

She was a PEO sister and played bridge in both a couples' club and a ladies' club. She also sang in the choir in the Methodist church.

She lived a long, productive life, was respected and loved by many, and was true to herself, her friends and family, and her personal values. Her daughters had a lovely upbringing from this genteel Southern mother.

She was the loving wife of the late Ralph D. Pinion; loving mother of four daughters, Susan Holliday, Carol Alberty, Barbara Lane and Mary Nelle Cox (George); eight grandchildren, Wade Alberty, Anne Alberty, Hunter Lane, Jonathan Lane, the late James Dayton Holliday, Monica Holliday-Sherman (Adam), Meredith Sherrer (Kenneth), Chris Cox and Rebeccah Cox; and great-grandchildren, Carter Sherrer, Jolie Sherrer, Tanner Sherrer, Cora Holliday Sherman, and Margot Holliday Sherman. She is also survived by one brother-in-law, Barton Webb; six nieces; and four nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Rinehart Bright and Robert Bright; and sister, Erlyn Bright Webb.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, alz.org or P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090; Eastwood Memorial Methodist Church, 512 Ward Avenue, Caruthersville, MO 63830; or the hospice program of your choice,

H.S. Smith Funeral Home in Caruthersville was in charge of arrangements.