On Monday morning, October 26, 2026, God sent His angels to take Janice Evoler Bryant, age 87, of the Lebanon community west of Laurel, to her home in Heaven. No more sickness, no more pain. She is safe in the loving arms of Jesus.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 9:30 am until 11:00 am at Lebanon Baptist Church with funeral services to follow at 11:00 am. Burial will be held at Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Ken Riley, Bro. Harold Floyd, and Bro. Leon Carmical will officiate.

Janice was born on April 13, 1939, in Laurel, Mississippi. She was the second of six children born to Reed and Hazel Cleckler of the Myrick community. Voted Most Versatile by her senior class at Myrick High School, she was Valedictorian of the Class of 1957. Janice attended Jones County Junior College with hopes of becoming a typing and shorthand teacher, but in May of 1958 while visiting her Aunt Catherine and Uncle Elbert Boutwell in Marion County, she met the love of her life, Ruben Bryant. They were married on Valentine’s Day of 1959 in the parsonage of Good Hope Baptist Church by her Uncle Elbert, the Pastor. Their son Barry was born in March of 1960 – and their daughter Darlene soon followed in November of 1962.

In 1964 they built a red-brick house in sight of Lebanon Baptist Church, where Janice would serve and worship her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for the rest of her life. Janice was a prayer warrior, and she loved to read and study God’s Word and to hear it proclaimed every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. She was a Proverbs 31 woman, serving her family and the church with excellence. She taught 4th grade Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and served as Church Clerk. She was a great cook and seamstress. Although she would never say so, she was considered one of the best cooks in Lebanon Church. Janice was a faithful and loving wife and mother, patient and kind, smart and witty, beautiful and stylish. She was a lady.

Early in her career she was a secretary with the Jones County Extension Service. She later worked at the U.S. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) as a Program Technician and temporarily as the County Agent, retiring in 2002.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Reed and Hazel Cleckler, brother, Carey Cleckler, and sister, Virginia Noble.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Ruben Bryant, son, Barry Bryant of Soso, MS, daughter, Darlene Cain (Steve) of Parker, CO, grandson, Bryan Cain of Parker, CO, brothers, Jim Cleckler (Cindy) of Fort Walton Beach, FL, David Cleckler, Sr (Brenda) of Laurel, MS, Leon Cleckler (Dot) of Laurel, MS, and many nephews and nieces – including her special nephews and niece whom she loved as her own children: Dale Moss (Teresa) of Ellisville, MS, Dana Moss of Jasper County, MS, and LaDonna Pippen (Joey) of Ellisville, MS. Their children and grandchildren were like grandchildren and great-grandchildren to her.

Janice’s favorite Bible verse was Proverbs 22:1. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold.”

Pallbearers are Randy Welborn, Marshall Bynum, Greg Hill, Jeffery McDonnieal, Nathan Bynum, and Richard Noble. Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Pope and Ricky Bynum.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in Janice’s memory to the Lebanon Baptist Church building fund or to The Gideons International.

The family is grateful to all who cared for Janice, especially during her illness. A special thanks to Ruben’s sister Sue Graves for her selfless love and care.