Mrs. Janice Barnette McDonald, age 75, passed away on January 1, 2024.   Our family said goodbye for now to the jewel of our family: our beloved mama, sister, grandmother, and friend.

Many would say "Nanny" was always the strongest in the room. Always defying the odds of medical diagnoses, always bouncing back from every trial with a smile on her face.

She was a graceful lady, clothed in the prettiest colors and sparkly jewelry. She always had kindness to share and the spunk to put you in your place in the most gracious way.

She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, the late Terry McDonald; her son Allen McDonald, her father and mother, Spencer and Treva Barnette, her sisters Linda and Barbara, and many other friends and family members she loved.

Those of us left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Terri Lynn Hoyle and husband Pastor Jeff Hoyle of Lenoir, granddaughter Meggan Eckard and husband Daniel Eckard, granddaughter Jordan Beane and husband Isaac Beane, grandson Seth McDonald and wife Meredith McDonald, and grandson Austin McDonald. Janice loved her great grandbabies: Gunner Eckard, Chandler Eckard, Everlee Beane, and Hudson McDonald.

Janice had a very close bond with her siblings Debbie Annas (husband Gary) and Larry Barnette and very special nieces and nephews! Family was her absolute joy in life, and she made sure we knew how much we were loved!

We will always remember Nanny as being the glue that held us together in tough times. She lead us through her own trials with grace and bold faith in the Lord. She once told me, "you can never go ahead of God. Just trust Him for the next step."

She spent the last year of her life at Mountain View Baptist Church where her church family became another family to her. She was a faithful friend and follower of Christ-always pointing others to Him until her last surgery when she went into the Operating room telling her nurses of the goodness of God in her life.

The void we feel is overwhelming. But we know, based on Nanny's faithful walk with Jesus that she is with Him in heaven and all those loved ones who have gone before her.

We will see you again, sweet nanny. You are so precious to us.

A celebration of Janice's life will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Mountain View Baptist Church with Rev. Jeff Hoyle and Rev. Douglas Cox officiating.  Interment will follow the service at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir.

Serving as pallbearers will be Seth McDonald, Austin McDonald, Isaac Beane, Daniel Eckard, Shawn Annas and Kevin Annas.  Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Edmisten, Keith Edmisten, David Hoyle and Joel Coffey.

The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home of Lenoir are honored to serve the McDonald family.