It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Janice Elaine (Hagan) Wood of Joplin, Missouri. Janice came into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 3, 2021. She was born on February 13, 1952 in Warrensburg, Missouri, third daughter of V. Juanita (Wharton) and Raymond D. Hagan. Janice attended school in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she graduated in 1970. She was active in church, gymnastics, and band, and was a twirler playing with fire, capes, and machetes. She worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor for special children. While working three jobs, Janice earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1973 from the University of Central Missouri. She received a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Disorders Education from the University of Central Missouri in 1978. She pursued graduate studies at the University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri, and University of Missouri. State of Arkansas, achieving nine educational certifications.
Because Janice was a caring and compassionate person, putting the needs of others before her own, she became an outstanding teacher for children with special needs. Janice began her educational career at the Rolling Meadow School for Severely Disabled in Higginsville, Missouri, teaching both home life skills and the deafblind program. She started the Learning Disability Program for Holden R-3 Schools in Holden, Missouri and wrote Federal Grants for the District. positive reinforcement strategies. She worked with the Johnson County Sheltered Workshops Board of Directors. Janice has taught for Columbia Public Schools and was a principal and teacher at Delmar Cobble State School.
She has volunteered as a coach and sponsor of the Special Olympics Cheerleaders. Janice moved to Lake Ozark to be an instructor and administrator at Dogwood Hills State School serving the Lake Ozark area. She was a real estate agent for Cliffside Welek Realtors in Lake Ozark and Lodge of the Four Seasons, where she held a record for the highest sales percentages. She started a business, Professional Cleaning Services, which served the Lake Ozark area.
In 1991, Janice married Jim H. Wood and moved to Joplin, Missouri. At Joplin, she taught medically fragile homebound children for College View School for the Severely Handicapped, as well as preschool and orthopedic children for Joplin R-8 schools.
Janice worked for Webb City Schools as a Library Media Specialist in various elementary schools, teaching library skills and computerizing multimedia centers. It has trained 26 future teachers in its classes and more than 50 trainees. She was a teacher at the Golden Apple and received a graduate scholarship from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Janice was a kind and loving educator at heart. One student recalls: “Mrs. Wood had time to listen carefully, smile and pray for her students.”
Jim and Janice spent time together serving Christ Jesus, organic gardening, hiking, and their cats Willow, Winnie Pooh and Mittens. She was an avid reader, cabinetmaker and painted in oils. Janice has frequently rescued pets by locating their families or relocating them. She was known to discern the needs of others and help them with compassion and discretion. To all who knew her, she was a loving encouragement. His life was a living example of his favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God has also forgiven you in Christ.”
Janice was a long-time member of the Faith Assembly of God church in Joplin, where she joyfully worshiped and faithfully served her Lord. She was a Bible quiz bowl coach and helped with children’s ministries. She started and managed the church library. Janice has led an interfaith prayer ministry for women and has led and trained altar workers. A prayer chain was born from the lady’s prayer ministry. Prayer needs have been sent to intercessors across the country. It has become an international prayer ministry. The Lady’s Prayer Group sponsored community prayer vigils, healing services, and served as intercessors for the John Kilpatrick Ministries Crusades. Janice is the author of a book on Building a Personal Relationship with Jesus through Prayer and has co-authored two books with her father.
Janice is survived by her devoted husband Jim, daughter Lisa (Mike) Johnston of Neosho, Missouri and son Tracy Wood (Laurie Triplett) of Eureka, Missouri, three sisters Sharon Gonder and Jane (Ron) Burd of Jefferson City Missouri , Kathy (Mike) Kirtley Grant of Louisville, Illinois, one brother Curt Kirtley (Julie) of Columbia, Missouri, four sisters-in-law Doris Thrasher of Santa Clarita, California, Merlene Besh of Celina, Texas, Bonnie Wood of Peoria, Arizona and Mary Davison from Joplin, Missouri and her brother-in-law Bobby Hodges from Houston, Texas. Janice was the beloved grandmother of 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and the aunt of 14 nieces and 13 nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, a nephew Jeffrey Steenburgen. Janice was affectionately loyal to her friends and family. We will always remember her sweet smile, quick intelligence, caring heart, and unconditional love. His presence in our lives will be sorely missed.
Janice’s life message is; we are the eternal creations of God, responsible to our loving Lord. She knew that leaving this world allowed her to enter the kingdom of heaven to meet her Savior, Christ Jesus. Janice wanted this message shared when she left this world. She leaves an invitation to join her beloved church family at Faith Assembly Church in Joplin, Missouri.
A private burial took place at Mount Hope Cemetery. Janice asked; “Instead of flowers, please do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need.”
Memorial donations can be made to the Faith Assembly of God Library or Building Fund, East 32nd Street, Joplin, MO 64804. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.
Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.