Lura Janice Vestal, 91, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023, at her home. She was born August 29, 1932, in Harnett County, NC. In addition to her parents, D. S. Williford and Lura Ryals Williford, Janice was preceded in death by her loving husband and best friend, George A. Vestal on February 19, 2009. Also, her sister, Muriel W. Turner (Sam), sister, Sybil Miller, brother, Daniel S. Williford, Jr., and niece, Lisa K. Basinger.
Janice is survived by a niece, Sandra T. Basinger and husband Kenneth (Sonny); a great-niece, Ashlee Basinger, all of Fayetteville; a niece, Nisa Helms of Concord, NC; a great-niece, Hazel Grace Parker of Concord, NC; a nephew, James Parker of Monroe, NC; a niece Sharon Barks and great-niece, Suzanne McLemore of Texas.
Janice attended Haymount Elementary School, Alexander Graham Junior High School and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1950. She married George A. Vestal on October 8, 1950, at First Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC. Janice was a devoted wife of 59 years. She would always say that George was her “very best friend”. She was a woman of faith and always had a love of missions in the different churches she and George were members of. They moved several times during George’s career with the Union Carbide and First Brands Corp. They always looked for a Southern Baptist Church in each city they moved to. Janice was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge in her later years. She especially enjoyed her bridge club at Blue St. Janice had a career with the Social Security Administration and retired in Danbury, CT. When George retired in 1992, they moved to Lake Norman, NC, and were able to enjoy several great years together by the lake and travel to many countries.
The family would especially like to thank her devoted caregivers. Thank you to Lynnette MacFadden who lovingly cared for Janice for 15 years. Thank you to Patty Drake, Angela Roy, Delores Dawson, and Anna Warner for their devotion and care.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 201 Anderson St., Fayetteville, with Rev. Robert M. James officiating. Interment will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park on Ramsey St. in Fayetteville. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Memorial Lounge at First Baptist Church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 Anderson St., Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com
Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville NC 28301.
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