Janice Carol "Jan" Yonce

Janice (Jan) Shepherd Yonce, age 72 of the Peachtree Community of Murphy, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025 at her home.

Jan was a native of Macon County, NC. She was the daughter of the late Perry and Lola Messer Shepherd. Jan was a member of Upper Peachtree Baptist Church. She was involved in many activities at the church. Most recently, she served as the church treasurer. She also loved to sing songs of worship and praise to her Lord and Savior.

Growing up, she was instilled with a strong work ethic. Everything she did was done to the best of her ability. Over time, she worked at several jobs. Some of her employment included working in a manufacturing factory, the telephone company, social services and Cherokee County school system. In her last employment, she was a secretary at Peachtree Elementary. When visitors entered the school, they were greeted by Jan's warm welcomes. To the students, she was their "school Mama".

In addition to her parents, Jan was preceded in death by one sister, Minnie Talley; her four brothers, Robert, John, Steve and Raymond Shepherd; her sisters-in-law, Sharon Hunsucker, Barbara and Judy Shepherd; her brothers-in-law, George Tallent, Terry Hunsucker and Fred Talley; and her in-laws, J.D. and Dot Yonce.

Jan is survived by her husband of 46 years, David Bruce Yonce; one daughter, Jessica Mashburn (Ryan) of Murphy; one sister, Betty Tallent (Jerry) of Greenville, SC; her three brothers, Roger (Maxine) of Chandler, NC, Ken (Shirley) and Ray of Franklin, NC; her sister in laws, Dottie Raxter, Diana Dockery and Laverne Shepherd; her grandchildren, Mason Lee and Ellie Brooke Mashburn; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church with Dr. Chester Jones, Rev. Derrick Tilley, Rev. Carol Roper, Rev. Steve West, Brother Jason Killian, Rev. Noah Crowe and Rev. Tony Raxter officiating. Burial will be at Peachtree Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Graham Raxter, Chris Dockery, Bryan Luther, Fred Talley Jr., Sammey Tallent and Kenneth Shepherd. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Shepherd, Lyden Raxter and Briggs Luther.

The family will receive friends from 12pm to 2pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 prior to the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideon's International, PO Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906 or Peachtree Community Cemetery Fund, c/o Trevis Hicks, 5 TJ Lane, Murphy, NC 28906.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com