Janice Earle McCool

Janice Earle McCool
October 18, 1945 - July 1, 2025
Janice Earle McCool, 79, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025. She was born on October 18, 1945, to the late Ines (Ritchey) and E.B. "Barney" McCool of Memphis, Tennessee.
Janice laid down roots in Collierville, Tennessee, but spent much of her youth traveling the world with her family and sister, Alma, as they helped open new locations for Holiday Inns of America. In 1969, she welcomed her daughter, Angela Durff, the light of her life.
In 1995, Janice purchased her beloved hilltop home on Lake Hamilton, a place she loved to share with friends and family. After years of summers and holidays on the lake, she moved there full time in 2010, allowing her more cherished time with her grandson, Luc.
A woman of vibrant passions and deep connections, Janice was a devoted collector-of bold art, Tervis tumblers, Quarter Horses, antique furniture, Christopher Radko ornaments, and every shade of red hair imaginable. But her most meaningful collection was the community of people she surrounded herself with. Though her immediate family was small, her heart was expansive. She adopted many as her own, creating the extended family she always longed for.
Janice found her life's purpose and greatest fulfillment in caring for others. She showed up consistently, whether a baby needed rocking or a dog needed rescuing. She gave generously to those she loved and cared for with no expectations in return. Her kindness, loyalty, and fierce sense of protection defined her relationships and will be her lasting legacy. Her abiding love for animals-especially her dogs- will be remembered with every treat given.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Angela Durff Hudelot (Raphael), and grandson, Rawlings Denson Chapman.
She is survived by her grandson, Luc Bernard Hudelot of Dallas, Texas; her sister, Alma McCool Liles (Lee) of Hot Springs; and her niece, Samantha Liles Frank (Andrew) of Bentonville, along with great-nephew McCool Louis and great-niece Elizabeth Lee James.
Janice is also lovingly remembered by many who called her Gagaw or Nan Nan: her stepdaughter, Amy Napier Chapman (Jeff) of Hattiesburg, and grandchildren Adalynn Grace, Wesley James, and Callaway Jeffrey; her stepson, Matthew Napier of New Orleans; and her goddaughter, Krysten Levin (Mark) of Little Rock, with grand-godchildren Hallie Blaire, Philip Ethan, and Samuel Isaac.
Janice will be remembered in a private celebration of life among family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janice's memory to the Humane Society of Garland County (Hot Springs, Arkansas) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.