Janice Lovelle Chappell Wood, 86, of Edenton, NC, passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2026 surrounded and honored by her family.

Janice was born in Chowan County on July 22, 1940 to the late John Ervin and Rehem Dail Chappell. She was preceded in death by her husband Lester Garland Wood; by sisters, Lessie Benton Hobbs and Lois Hobbs and brother, Wilmer Chappell.

Janice began her working life teaching shorthand at Keys Business College in Newport News, Virginia. After marriage, she joyfully embraced her true calling as a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker—what we affectionately called being a “domestic engineer.” Her greatest joy was creating a warm, loving home for her family. Later in life, after her children were grown, she continued her life of service by working part-time as an in-home care assistant, offering gentle, compassionate care to those who needed it most. Whether with her own family or those she professionally cared for, Janice always put others first. Her kindness was steady and genuine, her generosity quiet but constant, and her selflessness an example to everyone who knew her.

Surviving is one son, Lester Keith Wood and wife, Penny of Edenton; one daughter, Kathy Wood of Hillsborough, NC; three sisters, Lillie Rae Askew of Eure, Paige Stallings of Belvidere, and Bertha Gay Talbot of Louisville, MS; two brothers, John Wesley Chappell of Virginia Beach, VA and J.H. Chappell of Edenton; six grandchildren, Keith Jr., Ashley, Brandon, Lacey, Mandi, and Brock; eleven great grandchildren, Nathanial, Selena, Ariel, Weston, Quinton, Kenstyn, Harrison, Carter, Bryer, and Percy; and one great-great granddaughter, Wren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2026 in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home Chapel and will be conducted by Pastor Darryl Stallings. The private burial will follow in Happy Home Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family in the funeral home immediately following the chapel service.

Memorial contributions may be made to convey her heart for children in need to Love A Child, Inc., PO Box 60063, Fort Myers, FL 33906-6063 or loveachild.com and to Happy Home Church, 534 Happy Home Road, Tyner, NC 27980

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Amedisys Hospice, 2975 Crouse Lane, Burlington, NC for the comfort and care given to their loved one.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC is assisting the Wood family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com