Janice Mae Fite

Janice Mae Fite, age 86, passed from this world into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 18, 2024.

Janice was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, to parents Vestal and Nannie Sears, on November 26, 1937. She often reflected fondly on her early years in rural Kentucky, growing up with her siblings Wanda, Donna, and VJ, and living a simple, but happy life. When Janice was around twelve, her family moved to the city of Norwood, Ohio, so that her father could find work in the steel industry. There she attended Norwood High School, where she was an excellent student, an athlete, and a cheerleader. It was during those years that she met the love of her life, Howard Wayne Fite, whom she married right after high school.

Two things defined Janice's life: faith and family.

Though she worked briefly for Proctor & Gamble, and McAlpin's, Janice spent most of her life as a devoted mother and housewife. She poured herself into raising her five children to be well rounded people who understood their capabilities and the importance of building their lives on faith in Christ. She spent countless hours transporting her kids to the library, practices, concerts, games, throwing baseballs in the backyard, attending performances, parades, and tournaments. She fed them thousands of meals, mended their clothes, healed their hurts, and worked tirelessly to raise them to be good people. To help make ends meet, she made time to run small businesses out of her home. That same home was the center of a flurry of activity, as it was not only occupied by her large family, but also their many friends who found it a welcoming place to hang out.

Janice adored her husband, Wayne. And he adored her back. There was rarely a cross word between them. And they displayed their affection for each other everywhere. Their children would often see them hugging and kissing in the kitchen. And they held hands everywhere they went, even into their later years.

Janice was an avid reader. She also loved crafting and coloring. She loved music and had a terrific voice, singing with the church choir, and leading many sing alongs in the car with her large family as they travelled.

Janice was active in her church, Pleasant Hill Baptist, for many years. She taught scores of children in Sunday School, ran Bible Clubs at her home, helped out with On Goal Soccer Camps, and participated in other ministries. She made sure her children attended church and her faith activities rubbed off on her children who have all gone on to pursue a variety of ministry works.

After a brief battle with cancer, Janice reunited with her father, mother, sisters, and brother, who all preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband Wayne, her children Michael (Patty), Terri (Derek Rillo), Stephen (Vicki), Thomas (Meg), and Lisa, her grandchildren Ryan, Andrew, Cameron, Nathan, Brian, Jared, Elizabeth, Atalie, Jordan, Seth, Morgan, Olivia, and Stephen, along with twenty-one great grandchildren.

Her memorial service will take place June 1, 2024, at Pleasant Hill Church, 1170 State Rt 131, Milford, Ohio. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with the funeral service at noon. Internment will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Miamiville, Ohio.

The family encourages a gift in her memory to The Janice Fite Memorial Fund at ongoal.org/donate. Checks can be sent to On Goal, 920 Round Bottom Road, Milford, Ohio 45150.