Ms. Janice Faye Wilson Charles, age seventy-six, of Benham, Kentucky, crossed into eternity on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at her home. Janice, the middle child, was born on July 20, 1946 to Clyde and Hazel Halcomb Wilson. She was born and raised in the tricity area. She was a proud Lynch High School Bulldog and was a majorette in the Lynch marching band. After Janice graduated from Lynch in 1964, she married Teddy Charles and they moved to Pontiac, Michigan. While living in Michigan, Janice became a mother to Stephanie and Tony. The family moved back to Kentucky, settling in Benham in 1973.

Janice worked at the Lynch Clinic as a pharmacy technician for several years followed by a job as a loan officer with Citi Financial and remained there until her retirement. After she retired, Janice cared for her husband until he passed in 2010. Janice loved to cook but baking sweets was her 'claim to fame'. She was active in her church, Blair Chapel, whose members she loved dearly and who had become family. She adored her grandchildren and was an ever-present, excitable fan at all of their games. Janice was the traveling-sports MeMaw and it wasn't only her children who called her by that pet name. Many Harlan County children only know Janice as MeMaw.

Janice was a wonderful encourager; she was a romantic at heart and a big talker who enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends. She had friends all over the country with whom she spoke on a regular basis. The highlight of her year, each year, was ALWAYS the Lynch High School reunion where she would reconnect with old friends and classmates. She was a shining light and this world will be a bit dimmer without her big personality.

Janice is preceded in death by her husband, Teddy Gene Charles; her parents, Clyde and Hazel Wilson; and a brother, James Wilson.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Stephanie Wier and husband, Robert, of Versailles, KY; her son, Tony Charles and wife, Deena, of Harlan, KY; a sister, Joyce Howard of Benham, KY; seven grandchildren: Samuel Wier (Paige), Dawson Charles, Thomas Wier (Maddie), Aaron Wier, Masie Charles (Cody), Adam Wier, and Payeton Charles; one great-granddaughter, Natalie Charles; her Blair Chapel family; and a host of extended relatives and many dear friends.

Visitation for Janice will be held Friday, August 12, 2022 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Tri City Funeral Home in Benham, KY. The funeral will take place Saturday, August 13 at 11:00am at the funeral home. Pastor Rod Raleigh will be officiating. Burial will be at the Benham Cemetery with Pastor David Overbay officiating. Pallbearers will be Samuel, Thomas, Aaron, and Adam Wier, Dawson Charles, Cody Bumgardner, and Isaac Collett.

Tri City Funeral Home is honored to serve the Charles family.