Janice Adams

Janice Adams, age 81, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Rome, Georgia.

She was born on June 24,1945, in Bremen, Georgia, daughter of Jack and JoAnn Leatherwood Houston

Janice was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose greatest joy came from spending time with her family. She took care of and loved her family fiercely. To many who loved her, she was ‘Mawmaw’. She kept beautiful gardens and loved to admire her many plants and flowers. Her favorite place to be was in the home that she created and shared with those she loved. She especially loved to be on her front porch, coffee in hand, sharing conversation with whichever kid, grandkid, or friend was there to visit. She imparted many life lessons and wisdom on that porch and in the kitchen where she prepared the best home-cooked meals. While they can never be replicated, she took special time to teach each of her daughters and granddaughters how to make buttermilk biscuits. After many years of preparing enough biscuits to feed 18 siblings, she finally figured out how to make just one pan, although there were always plenty left over. Janice worked hard her whole life, and she would never let Pawpaw take on any task without being right behind him with his tools in both hands. While her passing leaves a void where Mawmaw, lovingly called ‘Irene’ by her husband, has always been, she leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue through the family that she has left here on Earth. Janice was a devoted member of Little Cedar church, and we have hope and rejoice in knowing that we will be with her again one day.

In addition to her parents, Janice is preceded in death by her siblings; Billy Houston, Betty Jo Duke, Joyce Tanner, Jimmy Houston, Jerry Houston, Bobby Houston, Kenneth Houston, David Houston, Pam Dunn, Rebecca Cline, Jeff Houston, and Steve Houston.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, William “Bo” Adams; Daughters, Vickie Adams and Kimberly Adams Harrell; Siblings, Patricia (David) Atkins, Johnny (Marie) Houston, Martha Coleman, Peggy McCall, Sarah (Charlie) McElroy, Linda (Tony) Carter; grandchildren, Johnathon (Jennifer) Bishop, Jessica (Casey) Lyall, Megan (Justin) NeSmith, Tanner Blake (Katie) Shellhorse, Conner (Lexy) Harrell, and special granddaughter Jeanne DeSilva, and her beloved Great Grandchildren, Matthew, William, Henlee, Ella, Emma, Evelyn, Chloe, Ava, Adeline, Alivia, Tanner, Hunter, and Jackson.

Funeral services to honor her life will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in the chapel of Smith & Miller Funeral home, at 5:00 PM, with Justin NeSmith officiating.

Interment will follow at Northview Cemetery in Cedartown, Georgia with Casey Lyall officiating.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Johnathon Bishop, Conner Harrell, Blake Shellhorse, William Lyall, Hunter Fincher, and Jackson Fincher. Honorary Pallbearer will be Matthew NeSmith.

Mrs. Adams’ family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at Smith & Miller Funeral Home.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Janice Adams.