Janice Lee Newby departed this world on July 20, 2021 and entered her heavenly home. Services will be held Friday, July 23, 2021 at Center Church in Ada, Oklahoma, with Jarrod Newby and Earl Hood officiating. Burial will follow at Maxwell Cemetery.
Janice was born June 24, 1959 to Leroy and Reva Sue Horton Willoughby in Ada, Oklahoma. She was raised in Oil Center and attended Vanoss School. On August 15, 1975 she married Jerrell Lynn Newby. They spent the majority of their marriage in Oil Center and for many years operated Jerrell’s Photography in Ada, capturing the special moments in the lives of countless people in the area.
She and Jerrell have two sons and daughters by love, Josh and Kim Newby and Jarrod and Lisa Newby of Ada. They also opened their home to help raise bonus sons, Nick Trivitt and Dal Willoughby. Jan had many nieces and nephews she treated like her own, spending many happy times together. Their home was always a welcoming place for the kids and their friends as well as her vehicle, as she hauled so many to ballgames over the years. Her world revolved around her five grandchildren. They always came first in her life and she was the best “Memo” anyone could ask for.
Janice was an amazing woman who put extra effort into everything she did. From birthday parties and school functions to Halloween costumes, she spent countless hours making everything memorable.
Jan was a devoted and sometimes boisterous fan for all the many sporting events she attended over the years. She was the biggest fan for all the kids and grandkids. Janice was the epitome of a Christian, loving and caring for all. She never met a stranger, always ready with a kind word and a beautiful smile. She taught Sunday School at Oil Center Pentecostal Holiness Church for years and was a long time member of Center Church of Ada. She was preceded in death by her parents and great nephew and practice grandchild, Connor Hicks.
She is survived by her husband, Jerrell Newby of Oil Center, sons Josh Newby and wife Kim, Jarrod Newby and wife Lisa, five grandchildren, Jocelyn, Tye, Jaxie, Jenx, and Jude Newby, all of Ada. Sisters Debbie Warren of Oil Center, Patti Cane and husband Morris of Vanoss, Vickie Holt and husband Rocky of Ada, brother Russell Willoughby of Oil Center.
Pall bearers will include Rocky Holt, Erik Hatton, Doltin Holt, Ronnie Hicks, Nick Trivitt, and Dal Willoughby.
Honorary bearers will include Russell Willoughby, Morris Cane, Blake Cooper, Riley Cooper, Noah Covey-Willoughby, Scott Ward, Richard Cooper, Lucas Cane, Micheal Willoughby, Tye Newby, Jenx Newby, and Jude Newby.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
