April 23, 1939 – March 21, 2024
MANTEO — Janice Irene Lowry was born in Richmond, Virginia, on April 23, 1939. She was the youngest of three children of the late David Jerome Lowry and Gladys Irene Lowry. Janice went home to Glory on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024.
She has joined her husband Thomas Leon O’Neal, who went home to Glory on December 22, 2022. Janice is survived by her eldest brother Robert Leland Lowry. She is preceded in death by her brother Wayne Herbert Lowry. Janice is also survived by her four sons – David and wife Theresa, Kenneth and wife Carolyn, Bradley and wife Aleona, and Kevin and wife Melissa, seven grandchildren – Jesica (Raymond), Samantha (Kyle), Nick, Lada (Kostiantyn), Tommy (Maggie), Brady (Aislinn), and Jena (David), seven great-grandchildren – Colton, Harlee, Eli, Ella, Edison, Charlotte, Oliver, and many nieces and nephews. She was dearly loved by all.
Janice grew up in Richmond, VA. In the summer of 1956, on an unplanned vacation to the Outer Banks with a friend’s family, she met a handsome young man named Tom, who was the lifeguard where they were staying at the Cavalier Motel. They were smitten with each other straight-away, but had to date long-distance while he went to East Carolina College. Tom would hitchhike regularly from ECC to Richmond to see her. On June 4, 1960, Janice married the love of her life Thomas Leon O’Neal at Branch’s Baptist Church in Richmond.
Janice was a loving, devoted wife to Tom for 62 years. To her four boys, she was Super-Mom. Janice was a determined Christian mother. Her sons are so grateful for her unwavering Faith and to have been raised by such a wonderful God-Loving Mom. She promoted, prepared, supported and carried her boys all around the northern VA/Metro area to football, soccer, basketball and baseball practices and games for years.
Janice graduated from Manchester High School in June 1958 and was an all-star athlete in high school basketball and field hockey, and later as an adult soccer player. Janice loved sports and was a fair, but pretty fierce competitor. In soccer, she played fullback and most of her opponents quickly learned how tough it was to play in her zone. One of Janice’s favorite hobbies was gardening. Janice was also an avid reader of her Bible and books.
In July 1960, Janice and Tom moved to Arlington, VA and she worked at the Pentagon as an Administrative Assistant. In 1964, they bought their first house and moved to Woodbridge, VA, raised their four boys and lived in the area for 30-years. Janice retired from Prince William County Schools after years as a Teacher’s Aide for special needs children. In July 1994, they moved back to Manteo, and have lived and worked here in Dare County ever since.
In her youth, Janice was a member of Branch’s Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. After moving to Woodbridge, VA in 1964, she transferred her membership to Saint Paul United Methodist Church. In 1994, she transferred her membership to Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Manteo, NC. Janice was very active in her church, joyfully serving in the Choir, various committees and groups, the Food Pantry, and also in many other church, charity and community activities. She loved the Lord Jesus, her family, church family and community very much. Janice was a generous, loving person and always tried to assist someone in need.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church with Pastor Marc O’Neal officiating. A reception will be held at the church following the memorial service. Private burial will take place at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Manteo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Roanoke Island Food Pantry (PO Box 787, Manteo, NC 27954, mountolivetumc.org/food-pantry), the local Food For Thought, Inc. chapter (https://www.foodforthoughtobx.org) or the Gideons International (PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214, www.gideons.org/donate).
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
