Janice "Jan" Yonce

1953 - 2025

Janice (Jan) Shepherd Yonce, 72, of the Peachtree Community of Murphy, passed away Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at her home.
Jan was a native of Macon County, N.C. She was the daughter of the late Perry and Lola Messer Shepherd. Jan was a member of Upper Peachtree Baptist Church. She was involved in many activities at the church. Most recently, she served as the church treasurer. She also loved to sing songs of worship and praise to her Lord and Savior.
Growing up, she was instilled with a strong work ethic. Everything she did was done to the best of her ability. Over time, she worked at several jobs. Some of her employment included working in a manufacturing factory, the telephone company, social services and Cherokee County school system. In her last employment, she was a secretary at Peachtree Elementary. When visitors entered the school, they were greeted by Jan's warm welcomes. To the students, she was their "school Mama."
In addition to her parents, Jan was preceded in death by one sister, Minnie Talley; her four brothers, Robert, John, Steve and Raymond Shepherd; her sisters-in-law, Sharon Hunsucker, Barbara and Judy Shepherd; her brothers-in-law, George Tallent, Terry Hunsucker and Fred Talley; and her in-laws, J.D. and Dot Yonce.
Jan is survived by her husband of 46 years, David Bruce Yonce; one daughter, Jessica Mashburn (Ryan) of Murphy; one sister, Betty Tallent (Jerry) of Greenville, S.C.; her three brothers, Roger (Maxine) of Chandler, N.C., Ken (Shirley) and Ray of Franklin, N.C.; her sisters-in-law, Dottie Raxter, Diana Dockery and Laverne Shepherd; her grandchildren, Mason Lee and Ellie Brooke Mashburn; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church with Dr. Chester Jones, the Revs. Derrick Tilley, Carol Roper and Steve West; brother, Jason Killian; and the Revs. Noah Crowe and Tony Raxter officiating. Burial was at Peachtree Community Cemetery. Pallbearers were Graham Raxter, Chris Dockery, Bryan Luther, Fred Talley Jr., Sammey Tallent and Kenneth Shepherd. Honorary pallbearers were Mike Shepherd, Lyden Raxter and Briggs Luther.
The family received friends from noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906; or Peachtree Community Cemetery Fund, c/o Trevis Hicks, 5 TJ Lane, Murphy, NC 28906.
You may send tributes to the Yonce family at townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.