Janis Arave

Janis Novella Atwood Arave Janis Arave passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025. Janis was born May 17, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio to Meta Hefner and Reichard Carlyle Atwood. She grew up in Cleveland and then Norfolk, VA. Janis was gifted in school in the maths and sciences. She graduated grade school with awards and went on to study maths and sciences at Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond, Virginia. It was while there that she met and married her sweetheart, Calvin Arave, on March 8, 1952. After they married, they spent a little time in Utah before returning to Virginia where they settled in Richmond for a while before landing and staying in Charlottesville. Calvin worked for the Virginia State Forest Service. Upon meeting and marrying Calvin, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A year later they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. She remained a faithful member throughout her life and served in many capacities, including with the youth in the primary organization and as Relief Society President. Janis was first and foremost a mother. They had five children, Rebecca (Beckee), Georganne, Andrew (Joe), Kevin, and Jennifer. As her children grew up she did more sewing, both as a professional and as a service to friends and members of her congregation. Many friends and family still enjoy the quilts and wall hangings she made for them. After most of her children were grown she worked a Highland Nursery School owned by her best friend, Vernetta Marshall, for many years. Her loving husband Calvin passed away in 1989 after a long debilitating illness, during which she remained a steady primary care giver. She cared for and was able to spend time with many of her grandchildren as they grew up and loved spending time with them. She made efforts to visit those who lived away. Her grandchildren were some of her greatest joys. She also cared for her father in his last years, staying active, and continuing to serve. Her father passed in 1998. She took much joy in serving others and strove to serve as many and as long as she could. Many of her later years were spent on sewing projects with the Charlottesville Senior Center. She had a love of learning and one of her favorite topics was American History, visiting many sites, and continuing to learn throughout her life. She shared this love of history and learning with family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Calvin Arave, and her children Rebecca (Beckee) Conger, Andrew (Joe) Arave, and Kevin Arave. She leaves behind two daughters, Georganne Arave of Virginia, and Jennifer (Patrick) Arave of Minnesota, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren spread around the country. Her legacy of love and learning will continue and her love of life will be missed.