Janice Harris Shanks, 88, passed away Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Samuel Lee Shanks Jr.; her parents, Teddy G. Harris and Wilma Walthall Harris; and her sister, Laura Joy Harris Gugliemi.
She is survived by her only child, Mary Lee Shanks Walden (Jimmy); two grandsons, Winston Whitfield Walden and Taylor duFief Walden; her brother, Harold L. Harris (Jean); brother-in-law, Mario Gugliemi; one niece, Laura Harris Hughes (Mark); and four nephews, Dr. Mark Harris (Sue), Ted Harris (Tracey), David Gugliemi (Helen) and Timothy Gugliemi.
Janice lived in Loudoun County for 36 years, and moved to Mathews County before living her final years in Lancaster County. She loved volunteering her time to many organizations and was a member of the Herndon Woman’s Club, serving in many offices with the club before becoming the state chairman of the Virginia Federation of Woman’s Clubs. She served on the ladies board of Loudoun Memorial Hospital as well as the Loudoun Chapter of the American Red Cross.
She was always active in the churches she attended and helped to start, as well as The Closet in Herndon.
Janice moved to Mathews in 1989 and was a member of the Mathews Historical Society. She served on the Mathews Market Days Committee and was very active in the Thompkins Cottage.
In 2006 she moved to Lancaster County and continued actively volunteering her time, particularly enjoying being a docent at Historic Christ Church, Irvington.
She adored her two grandsons and the many pranks they would pull on her. She doted on their accomplishments and sports. Janice and Sam enjoyed traveling the U.S. and abroad and she continued to travel after Sam passed away, going with her travel buddy, Anne Folliard.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Historic Christ Church, Irvington and Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department.
The family expresses its deepest gratitude to Desiree Selph and Michelle Hartnett for all of their help, especially with paperwork and reading to her. They also thank Trisha Butler and Regina Ward for always putting a smile on her face and lending her an ear.
Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, is assisting the family.
