Janie Haining Shepherd-Wells, age 92, a resident of Waynesville, NC and Winona, MS, passed away peacefully on January 29 at her home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and educator who lived life fully.

Born on December 19, 1933, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, she was the daughter of the late Walton and Hazel Haining. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Dacus Haining and her first husband, Bill Shepherd.

Janie devoted her life to children, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from Millsaps College and Western Carolina University. Janie taught 39 years, and 28 of those were in Haywood County. She delighted in telling her current third-grade grandsons that “it took her 28 years to get out of 3rd grade”. Her faith was a vital part of her life and after retirement she volunteered countless hours in church and community, including serving on the boards for KARE and Youth For Christ. A favorite pastime was helping as a stagehand for HART theater productions.

Also following retirement, Janie and Bill spent years traveling. She visited all 50 states, mostly scouting National Parks and lighthouses. She loved to play cards and Bingo! A bridge player in her younger years, she enjoyed playing other card games with friends and family. She usually won at cards and bingo even though “she never had good cards!”

A life-long doll collector, she filled several cabinets and enjoyed giving dolls away to the grandchildren when they visited. Other hobbies included reading and watching sports. Janie’s favorite books were mild mysteries. She never missed one of her sons’ sporting events and also attended most of the grandchildren’s games, and was always willing to assist the umpires! An avid fan of Mississippi State, Janie went to countless baseball and basketball games and watched faithfully on TV.

Janie was a master quilter. She made her children and grandchildren numerous quilts, hand-quilting most of them until later in life and also shared her knowledge with family and friends. As recently as November, she helped make her final quilt for her newest great-grandson-a tangible symbol of the love she stitched into her family.

Janie married her high school sweetheart, Bill Shepherd, in 1955. They moved to Waynesville in 1965 and were married 46 years until his passing in 2001. In 2003 she married Billy Wells and returned to Winona, Mississippi. She and Billy also traveled extensively and stayed very active with friends and family. Her health required her to return to NC in 2023, but they still enjoyed yearly beach trips with family and she visited him whenever she could.

As full as her life was, Janie’s true joy was family, especially grandchildren! In addition to Mr. Wells, she is survived by sons Billy (Denise) and Mark (Becky), grandchildren Kenlyn Wurzel (Will), Andrew Shepherd (Mandy), Zack Shepherd (Sierra) and Walton Shepherd (Kayla). Her

great grandchildren who adored their “grandmommy” are Hudson and Hazel Wurzel, River Shepherd, Monty and Amelia Shepherd, and Liam, Lillian and Levi Shepherd.

Her stepson, Bill Wells (Kena), and his family were very special to Janie and she considered them her own. Grandchildren are William (Kristy), Elizabeth, and Caroline (Billy) with another great-granddaughter on the way!

The care of Mrs. Shepherd-Wells has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. A family graveside service will be held in the spring. The family wishes to express gratitude to Hospice and especially to Donna Norton whose compassionate care along with family made it possible for Janie to remain at home during her final months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Moore Memorial Methodist Church, PO Box 467, Winona, MS 38967.