St. George, Utah - In the wee hours of the morning on Friday, May 26, 2023, the sweetest reunion was taking place as our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Janice JoAn slipped through the veil into the waiting arms of her Savior and loving Family.  We take such joy and comfort knowing that any discomforts from this earthy life were left behind as her Spirit rejoiced being reunited with her eternal companion, Gary L. Hustead. We know there were many loved ones, her parents, her son, her grandson, and granddaughter, there to welcome her and receive one of her big bear hugs.

Janice was born on June 13, 1936, to Dorald and Eunice Coolbear Smith.   The 1st of 5 children in the family, Janice had many responsibilities and was her mother's right-hand helper in many ways. Even though there were a few high-spirited sibling rivalries, they all loved each other very much and cried when Gary "stole their sister away" and married her.

Janice graduated from Murray High and upon graduation went to work for the Air National Guard. She said that many nights as she drove home, she would pass her grandpa Smith waiting for her and watering his lawn. If she didn't stop, he would hose her car down with water! She would, of course, stop for a visit. She would iron her grandpa's shirts while Grandma Smith told her many stories of their pioneer history. Janice relished those stories and would often tell them to her children and grandchildren. She also recorded several at the Family History library.

Janice met Gary on a blind date. He showed up in a baby blue Oldsmobile convertible and Janice was smitten! (She kinda liked the guy who came along with the car too!)  Janice and Gary were married on November 22, 1955, later solemnized in the SL temple.

Janice and Gary raised their family in Springfield, Missouri, where Janice served as the Relief Society President with 4 small children in tow. The family then moved to Placentia, California, where they made many lifelong friends. Janice would often send her boys to collect citrus from the orange groves so the family could enjoy fresh squeezed OJ for breakfast. They later settled in Holladay, Utah, as Janice longed to return to their Utah roots.

Both she and Gary wanted a big family and went on to welcome 9 beautiful children into their home. Janice and Gary made their home a welcome haven for many, from his and her siblings, that were just getting a start on married life, to the much-anticipated visits from cool uncle Steve on military leave from the Navy. They housed a Laotian family, as they made a new start in the US, and had a much-loved Navajo foster daughter named Kari.

Janice surrounded herself with beauty. She took pride in her appearance and always had her hair and nails done. She kept a lovely well decorated home and yard, which was not an easy task with 9 children.  She was a feisty mom, often remembered for her unmatched skills with a broom or a fly swatter!

Janice and Gary provided many memories for their children from vacations in the family station wagon, to cross country motorhome trips, to many fun Lake Powell adventures. The family still love to recall and laugh about all the good and crazy times on those trips.

Janice had a love for babies and cherished the birth of each and every grandchild. She made her grandchildren feel special as she would greet each one with a squeal and a big hug.  She was famous for her oatmeal raisin cookies, her carrot cake, and her delicious rolls. She was also quite infamous for her morning oatmeal that was often fed to the family pet, Tina, under the table!

She was a good sport and took good natured teasing from her boys. From Garth's spot-on impersonation of "Gary!" to little Eric's pranks of taping the spray hose on the sink so she'd get sprayed in the face when the water was turned on!

After Gary passed away, Janice was quite lonely, until one day her little dog Allie introduced her to her new neighbor, Howard Baysinger. When Janice first saw Howard outside, she turned to Allie and said, "Watch out, Allie, or that guy will bite you!" Howard laughed and quite enjoyed the feistiness of his new neighbor. Janice and Howard became friends and were soon 2 widowers that found love again. They married on April 21, 2021.

Janice loved her kids; she loved her grandbabies. She often said, "Family is everything." We love you mom, and we know you will be watching over and loving us like only you can.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her parents; her oldest son, Garth; her grandson, Joshua; and granddaughter, Tiesha. She leaves behind, her daughter in law, LeAnn; daughter, Joni (Eric) Christensen; son, Daryl (Kim); son, Kent (Kara); son, Brad (Tamara); son, Eric (Kelly); daughter, Julie (Rusty) Vincent; son, David (Alisha); daughter, Amisha. Sister Norma Huntington Wood; brothers: Paul (Gloria); Steve (Shirley); and Wade (Lynn) Smith; 33 grandchildren; and 50 great grandchildren; and spouse, Howard Baysinger.

Until we meet again, Mom!

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. in the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment will be in the Toquerville Cemetery, Toquerville, Utah.

Janice Hustead Baysinger Funeral Service Program