Janice West

Melanie Janice (Pruitt) West, 61, of Westmoreland, TN, lost her battle with cancer on August 28, 2024 in Nashville while surrounded by her family. She was born in Gallatin, TN on April 9, 1963, to the late Freeman Pruitt and Sarah (Morris) Pruitt. 

Janice was passionate and proud to be the head custodian of Westmoreland Middle School for many years, often talking about her excitement to return. She enjoyed making the school a safe and clean environment for the students and staff to come to each school year. She will be remembered at WMS for her hard work, determination, friendly demeanor, bright personality, and humorous shirts.

To her family, she was known for her infectious smile, constant laughter, and unrelenting stubbornness. She was a charismatic jokester who wore her sarcasm on her sleeves (literally); a gifted and passionate seamstress who often knew just what someone would love to have; and an avid lover of the House of Mouse. Janice was often the first person to show up when you needed her, ready to help in any way that she could. She loved with her entire heart, and those who knew her could always feel the warmth of her presence and the brightness of her personality. 

Janice was a phenomenal wife who was greatly loved by her husband; a caring mother to her daughters; a fun and encouraging aunt to her nieces and nephews; and a supportive, loving sister to her siblings. She will be dearly missed by everyone in her life.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Charlie T. and Mamie Laura (Cornwell) Pruitt and Arcie Rudolph and Levie Olean (O’Neal) Morris; step-mother, Judy (Gilliam) Pruitt; brothers Darrell Pruitt and Kevin Pruitt; step-brother Craig Counts; and nephew Keith Pruitt. 

Janice is survived by her beloved husband, James “Jimmy” West; daughters, Stephanie (John) Koussonmbus and Kallie (Frank) Elledge; step-son, Joshua West; granddaughter, Ashlynn Guiterrez; and brothers-in-law Chuck West and Scott West. She will forever be remembered by her siblings, Merlin (Sherry) Pruitt, Freda (Tim) Keen, Malinda (Ronald) Hammock, Terri (Larry) Gann, and Kenneth (April) Pruitt; sister-in-law, Debbie (Darrell) Pruitt; step-siblings Vicky (Johnny) Crowder, Heath Counts, and Darrell Counts; as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. West will be conducted on Monday, September 2 at 2 PM from the chapel of Woodard Funeral Home with Bro. Victor Creasy officiating. Interment will follow in Caldwell Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday, August 31 from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sunday, September 1 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Monday, September 2 from 9:00 AM until service time at 2:00.

The family has entrusted Woodard Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements of their loved one.  "Serving you as we would like to be served."