Janice Ruth Boyd Belcher

1940 - 2025

Janice Ruth Boyd Belcher passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025, with her cherished daughters by her side. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, and friend, Janice lived a life defined by compassion, dedication, and adventure.

She was born on February 1, 1940, in Maryville, Tennessee, to Eugene Lamar Boyd and Ruth Lambert Boyd. Janice spent her early childhood in Tennessee before moving to White, Georgia, where she attended school in nearby Cartersville. She graduated from North Atlanta High School and went on to earn her nursing degree from the Grady School of Nursing in Atlanta, graduating in 1961.

At the age of 16, while getting her driver's license, Janice met a boy who was also there that day-just two days older than she was. That boy would become her high school sweetheart and, in 1962, her husband. Janice and J. Richard Belcher began their life together in the Georgia Tech married dorms and remained devoted partners for 63 years until her passing.

Together, they built a loving home in Kennesaw, Georgia, where they raised their two daughters, Julia Allen Belcher Clark (Kristi) and Eugenia Leigh Belcher (Debbie Daniel). While in Kennesaw, the family were active members of Kennesaw United Methodist Church.

Professionally, Janice was a pioneer in the field of infection control. She played a critical role in establishing the departments of Infection Control, Quality Management, and Utilization Review at Kennestone Hospital. Her expertise and leadership earned national and international recognition. She presented widely through her work with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and also contributed to teaching efforts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She retired from Kennestone/WellStar in 1997 after 30 years of distinguished service.

Janice and Richard shared a deep love of travel and spent many years exploring the world with cherished friends. Their adventures took them across the U.S., United Kingdom, Russia, China, Australia, Canada, France, and many other exciting destinations. A particularly special part of Janice's life was her enduring friendship with "The Grady Girls," her classmates from nursing school, with whom she shared countless memories, reunions, and cruises.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved brothers, Leslie Ray Boyd (1943-1969) and Robert L. Boyd (1945-1990). She is survived by her husband, Richard; daughters Julia Allen Belcher Clark (Kristi) and Eugenia Leigh Belcher (Debbie Daniel); and her beloved granddaughter, Larissa Flores (Misha). She is also survived by nieces Christy Belcher and her son Conlan, Courtney Belcher Pate (Kevin); and nephews Bart and Duff Boyd.

Janice's legacy of compassion, love, leadership, and lifelong friendship will live on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Owen's Funeral Home in Cartersville, Georgia.

Funeral services will follow on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Owen's Funeral Home.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120, 770-382-3030, OwenFunerals.com