Janis Lola James, 96, passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. She was born on Sunday, January 1, 1922 near Advance, MO to Lorene and Clarence Pierce.

Janis grew up in Cape Girardeau, MO where she attended elementary and secondary school and later graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with her Bachelors and Master's Degrees in Education.  During her teaching career she taught music and physical education in private and public schools and later taught 4 ^th grade.  In the 1970's Janis received her real estate license and for the next several years worked for Hanks & Co. in Springfield, MO after moving to Strafford, MO with her husband in 1976.  In the late 1980's she and her husband Fred retired to Table Rock Lake.  After Fred's passing in 2016 Janis continued to live at the lake until November 2016 at which time she moved in with her son John and family in Springfield, MO.  In March 2017 she moved to Ravenwood Assisted Living in Springfield, MO.

Janis married John Tucker in 1944 and to this union two children were born.  John was killed in a car wreck in 1953 and Janis returned to the Cape Girardeau area.  While teaching in Jackson MO, Janis met Fred James and they were married on January 29, 1955, a marriage that lasted 61 wonderful years.  To this union 3 daughters were born.  Janis was a devoted daughter, a loyal and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.  She touched the lives of many through the years and believed the best of times were spent with family and friends.  She loved family gatherings at the lake having her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren near her.

Janis accepted the Lord at age 12 and was a member of the Kimberling City Baptist Church.  She was a member of Eastern Star for over 50 years and served as Worthy Matron.  She enjoyed reading, sewing, traveling and gardening, working with her roses and flowers inside and outside the house.

Janis was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and a daughter Victoria.

She is survived by her four children John Tucker (wife Connie) of Springfield, MO, Denise Fiala (husband Dan) of Camdenton, MO, Jeannine Medlin (husband Tim) of Clever, MO and Tanya Vest (husband Darren) of Reeds Spring, MO,  her sister-in-law Norma James of Montgomery, TX, nine Grandchildren Charlotte Phipps, Kyle Fiala, Lindsey Camron, Leslie Batson, Sonya Yocum, Kahley Fiala, Clayton Tucker, Jami Kaempfe, and Joe Batson and 15 Great-Grandchildren which includes one on the way, as well as cousins, nieces, a nephew and many friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 10-11 am at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte, 4500 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, MO 65804 with funeral service to follow at 11 am.  Burial will take place at the Rivermonte Memorial Gardens immediately following services.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Kimberling City Library, 45 Kimberling Blvd., Kimberling, MO 65686.