Janie Ashby

Janie M. Ashby, 80, of Waverly, passed away peacefully Saturday October 29, 2011 at Waverly Healthcare Center. Born on March 19, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Benjamin and Katie Ford Mattox of Waverly. She graduated from Waverly High School in 1949 and attended Longwood College.
She was a lifelong member of Waverly Baptist Church. Enrolled in its cradle roll program at birth, she continued to remain active in her churchâ??s choir, Sunday School program, childrenâ??s organizations and youth activities.
With the guidance of Rev. A. B. Harrell, she began singing in Sunday School and church at the age of six. She was given voice lessons by Mrs. Fletcher Wright of Petersburg and piano lessons by Mrs. H.B. Richardson and Mrs. C.C. Arnold of Waverly. Her musical talents enabled her to teach both voice and piano lessons to children in both Surry and Sussex County.
Janieâ??s faith in God and her devotion to her husband enabled her to survive and persevere through a long period of declining health.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Edward B. Ashby, Jr.; her daughter, Kathryn A. Brockwell and husband, H.B. Brockwell of Lawrenceville; her son Edward B. Ashby III and wife, Penny M. Ashby of Manteo, NC; her loving granddaughters, Katie B. Matthews and husband, Dan Matthews of Warfield, and Kerri Jane Brockwell of Lawrenceville; and her beloved great grandson, Daniel Henry Matthews. Also surviving are her two faithful sisters, Joyce M. Dillard of Richmond, and Frances (Tommie) Bailey of Waverly; her brother-in-law, Dr. Charles C. Ashby and wife, Martha T. Ashby of Dinwiddie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Waverly Healthcare Center, especially Yvonne Ebling, for the care and kindness shown to Janie and her family during her extended stay in their facility. In the brief period she was able to spend at home, she was given care by Vernita Richardson and others to whom we will be eternally grateful.
A family and friends visitation will be held at the Wakefield Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Waverly Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Waverly Cemetery. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of Waverly Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 1801 Libbie Ave., Richmond, VA 23226 or to Waverly Baptist Church, P.O. Box 12, Waverly, VA 23890. Condolences may be posted at www.jtmorriss.com .