Janice Whittle Young

Funeral Services for Janice Whittle Young, 84, of Longview, Texas, will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in the Chapel of McWhorter Funeral Home with Brother Ronnie Whittle officiating. Interment will follow at Cherokee Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 10:00 am prior to the service.

Janice was born on November 8, 1941, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, to Charlie Whittle and Bernice Estelle Grigsby Whittle and passed from this life on March 13, 2026, in Longview, Texas.

Janice was the 2nd daughter of the six Whittle children that we call the six pack. She was raised on a 50+ acre farm in the Nevell's Chapel area known as the Whittle place where many adventures took place. During her elementary school years, she attended Nevel's Chapel Elementary School and yes, she and the siblings really did walk to school. We've heard many stories of those days, even one including an escape from a dangerous situation. After that, her dad who served on the school board was inspirational in bringing the bus route to that area and also had a circle drive built so that the school bus could have a place to turn around.

Music was always a big part of the family entertainment and Janice loved it. The kids were always playing instruments and singing. She and her sister, Marquita sang duets together at the Nevell's Chapel Church for many years. Through her love of music, she acquired a natural talent to play the piano by ear. Little did she know that she would use this talent for decades as the pianist at several different churches.

In her adult years, she was a mother, homemaker, and a wonderful cook. Everyone loved her pies - pecan, chocolate and apple. In the late 70's, Janice ventured out to ownership of the M'Lady's dress shop in Hemphill, Texas which was quite an achievement for a woman of that time. During that same time, she traveled quite a bit as her husband James won several rewards/trips as top salesman at the Chevrolet Place, which they were part owners of. They traveled to places such as Austria, Monte Carlo, Acapulco, and Las Vegas. Also in the 80's, they traveled to NYC to attend the democratic convention as a delegate and she was so excited to go to Radio City Music Hall. Yes, they drove from Texas, there and back with James Jr. and NaNette. When the 80's rolled in, she began a new chapter of life as Grannie. She loved it!

Along came 15 blessings in all. During her retirement years, she settled in Gilmer and enjoyed many happy years there.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Tanyia Click (Tommy), James Ray Young Jr. (Catherine), NaNette Sampson (Phil), and Faron Young; brother, Ronnie Whittle; grandchildren, Jenica, Emily, Anna, Meagan, Cherie, James III, Jefferson, Jackson, Josiah, Jericho, Jami, Kennedy, and Lexie; and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Young, in 2015; siblings, Marquita Betts, Kenneth Whittle, Larry Whittle, and Randy Whittle; and grandchildren, Sara Click, and Jared Young.

Pallbearers will be James Young III, Jefferson Young, Jackson Young, Josiah Young, Jericho Young, and Maddox Simms.

Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel McAfee, Ricky Whittle, Leon Cargil, Kevin Betts, and Matt Whittle.

Please visit Janice's online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.