Jan Ollis

We are sharing the obituary as a courtesy to the Ollis family. Jan and Jerry Ollis were long-time residents of Wadesboro when he was employed with BB&T prior to their return to Sylva, NC. Please refer to the website for Appalachian Funeral Home for details on service and condolences.

Janet Laurie Ollis, age seventy-eight, born October 5, 1945, in Bristol, Rhode Island, died August 9, 2024, in Franklin, North Carolina. Jan was reunited in Heaven with her parents and infant son Todd.

She was the loving wife of Jerry H. Ollis; they were married June 15, 1985, in Marion, North Carolina.

In addition to her husband, left to cherish memory are four beloved children, Pete McKeon, III, (Stephanie), Terri Ann Stroup (Dr. Dan Stroup), Kenny McKeon (Lee) all of Murphy, North Carolina, and Brett McKeon (Elizabeth) of Hiwassee, Georgia; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren all residing in Murphy, North Carolina. She dedicated all her love and energy to raising her four children. Wherever Jan and Jerry lived over the years her flower garden continued to bloom and took immense pride in her yard.

In 1974, Jan moved to Murphy from south of Boston, Massachusetts. Beginning in the early eighties, Jan worked for Cherokee County. In 1985, she became a licensed paralegal working for two law firms in Wadesboro and Morganton, NC. She had also worked for Smoky Mountain Mental Health in Sylva, NC, as well as Foothills Mental Health in Morganton, NC, as an administrative assistant. Lastly, Jan worked eleven years for McGee Dermatology in Franklin, NC, as a medical assistant. In March 2020, the Covid Pandemic hit, and she retired.

Jan was a huge sports fan; especially when it involved her children and grandchildren playing sports. She was known for cheering them on in the stands. She and Jerry wore out at least two cars traveling to Murphy and various places within North Carolina when playoffs came around. Jan was an ardent fan of the New England Patriots and especially the now retired quarterback Tom Brady. She was also a huge fan of Tarheel Basketball, specifically when Dean Smith was their head coach.

Jan was known as a wonderful cook and loved to make incredible meals for her husband, children, and extended family. Many cookouts with her family were cherished by Jan over the years. All the holidays brought joy to Jan, but she especially enjoyed the Ollis family Thanksgiving get together and Christmas with the children.

She had a deep love for animals, whether it be cats or dogs, around the house. Her deepest affection was for her various miniature schnauzers and kitty cats. Rommel, her most recent miniature schnauzer and Kiki her cat deeply misses her presence at home. Since Jan lived in Morganton and Franklin, she had become involved with Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas; completing home inspections for those interested in adoption. She had developed a close relationship with all veterinarians who assisted her pets.

In lieu of flowers, Jan along with the support of her husband request memorial donations can be made to the following: Schnauzer Rescue of the Carolinas, 2640 Tumbleweed Drive, Lenoir, NC, 28645 and Pine Grove UNC Cemetery Fund, 53 Pine Grove Road, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777.

A graveside service for Jan will be held at 1pm, Friday, October 4, 2024, at Pine Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, with Rev. Jock P. Ollis officiating.

Arrangements are in the care of Appalachian Funeral Services.