Janice (McNorrill) Johnson

Janice M. Johnson, 78, of Waynesboro, and most recently of Augusta, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, after a long courageous fight. Janice is survived by her brother Lonnie McNorrill, Jr. of Knoxville, TN, his wife, Diane, their daughter, Heather Archer, and her husband, Chris, and nieces, Halli, Harper and Hazel. She is also survived by another niece, Paula. Family was important to Janice, and she was proud of her family and loved them dearly. She is preceded in death by beloved husband, Roy Johnson, and parents, Lonnie McNorrill and Elaine Dickey. She leaves behind a wonderfully large group of relatives and friends and will be missed at family gatherings, i.e., reunions, birthdays and weddings. 

Janice’s accomplishments were many including valedictorian of her graduating class at Waynesboro High School, honors while at Georgia Southern and a celebrated career as a schoolteacher at Glenn Hills High. During those years, her students competed for national honors and were exposed to Richmond County’s greatest historical places and facts. Janice loved traveling. With her principal’s approval, she and her Aunt May travelled to many interesting countries; Spain, Russia, China and England to name a few. While others would do the ‘touristy” things, Janice would explore the historical places off the grid.  Then, when back home, she would educate her students about the many wonders she had experienced. 

After retirement, Janice became very involved in the Augusta Historical Society, the Augusta Genealogical Society and the Burke County Historical Society. She spent many joyful hours poring over documents and assisting others in researching information. She also was an accomplished author and paid tribute to her friend, Carrie Addison, by writing and publishing a book about her. What she loved most about her “work” after retirement was the lectures and programs in which she participated, always finding a gem in someone’s past.

Memorial services for Janice will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, October 2, at Burke Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Waynesboro, GA. Immediately following, an Interment service will be held at Burke Memorial Gardens for family members only.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Adamson Library, Augusta Genealogical Society, 1058 Claussen Road, Suite 108, Augusta, GA 30907.

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