August 27, 1938 - January 26, 2026
Janet Thornton Whatley, age 87, peacefully entered the presence of the Lord on January 26, 2026.
She was born in Lena, Mississippi, to the late Clyde and Bobbie Thornton of Carthage, Mississippi. Jan attended Carthage High School, graduating in 1956.
Jan devoted her life to education and the nursing profession. She earned her Registered Nurse degree from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Vicksburg in 1960. She later completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1986, followed by a master’s degree from Mississippi State University in 1991.
Jan served as a nursing instructor at Hinds Community College for more than 30 years, educating and mentoring generations of nursing students.
A woman of strong faith, Jan was an active member of Woodlawn Baptist Church. She was a founding member of the Openwood Plantation Garden Club and a Master Gardener. She enjoyed painting and playing the piano and organ. A phenomenal cook, she especially loved preparing meals for her grandchildren.
Mrs. Whatley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Harold Whatley, Jr.; their infant daughter, Lori Patricia Whatley; and her brother, Charles Edward Thornton.
She is survived by her son, James Harold Whatley, III (Annette) of Florence, MS; her daughter, Angel Whatley Smith (Brandon) of Oxford, MS; and her brother, Bill Thornton (Alene) of Vicksburg, MS. She is also survived by six grandchildren—Connor Whatley, Austin Whatley, Stratton Smith, Sharpe Smith, Slay Smith, and Desiree (Matt) Morrison—and four greatgrandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Stratton Smith, Sharpe Smith, Slay Smith, Connor Whatley, Austin Whatley, and Garrard Arriola .Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Koestler, Joe Lorinc, Calvin Hearn, Marty Tompkins, and George Joy.
Jan will be remembered for her devotion to family, her dedication to nursing education, and the lasting impact she made on both her family and the many students and colleagues she taught throughout her life.
The Whatley and Smith families would like to especially honor Sheila Gaskin Smith for the extraordinary love, care, and devotion she showed Jan over the past three years. Sheila was far more than a caretaker—she became Jan’s best friend and one of her closest family members.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 31, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue in Vicksburg, with the service to follow. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
