Janice Ann Ringhaver

Ringhaver
Janice Ann (Meeks) Ringhaver of Jacksonville, Florida passed away surrounded by her family and loved ones on May 15, 2021.
Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2021 at Ricketson Funeral Home in Douglas, Georgia.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 22 at the Central Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia.
"Jan" was the third child born to Mr. and Mrs. John Emmett Meeks, on January 24, 1941 in Coffee County, Georgia. Jan moved to Jacksonville in 1960 and soon met and married the love of her life, Lance Christian Ringhaver. Jan and Lance were one of the first five families to follow Bryant Skinner's lead and build a home in Deerwood, the first gated community in Florida. As a couple, they were highly active in sports; They loved tennis, golf, racket ball, water skiing and snow skiing together. In 1983, they moved to a house on the St. Johns River "for easy access to water skiing." Legend has it that despite never learning how to swim, she once water skied 22 miles without stopping from Cedar Creek to Trout River.
In addition to raising her two daughters and twin sons, Jan volunteered and served on the board for many charitable organizations: the Greater Jacksonville Open, the Visiting Nurses Association, the Jacksonville Art Museum, and Jacksonville University to name a few. Her volunteer work at the art museum began a lifelong passion for studying art and antiques. In 1984, she opened a store in Avondale called J.Ringhaver Gifts & Antiques. She ran the store for over a decade before deciding to retire, to "spend more time with her precious grandchildren," and travel the world. Her favorite destination was Venice, Italy, despite her proclivity for French antiques.
Jan believed in the Golden Rule and was kind to every person she met. Her smile and beauty were radiant and magnetic. She had a curious spirit and never stopped learning: a student for life. She was an artist and succeeded in any medium she endeavored to try. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. But of all the gifts God bestowed upon Jan Ringhaver, she believed her children and grandchildren were her most precious gifts of all.
Jan is preceded in death by her mother, Annie Louise Clough Meeks, her father John Emmett Meeks, her brother, Emmett Lynwood Meeks (Betty), and her husband, Lance Ringhaver.
Jan is survived by her four children: Deborah Elaine Ringhaver, Sherri Ringhaver Geddes (Timothy), Lance Kendal Ringhaver (Rachel), and Mark Christian Ringhaver; nine grandchildren: Heather Courtney (Will), Lambert Lane, Holton Lane, Palmer Lane, Hunter Geddes (Jenna). Kylie Geddes, Brooke Geddes, Rylie Ringhaver, Caden Ringhaver; and her three great grandchildren: William, Lane and Hall Courtney.
The pallbearers will be: Ken Ringhaver, Mark Ringhaver, Emory Meeks, David Meeks, Holton Lane, Hunter Geddes and Caden Ringhaver.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and Jennifer Njeri.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jan Ringhaver's name to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
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