Janice "Jan" Jean (Wood) Hinesley

On March 5, 2026, our sweet, Lil’ Momma, “Jan” Janice Jean Wood Hinesley drew her last breath. Born August 29, 1946, George and Geneva Wood welcomed their little girl and soon followed her little sister, Jacque. The two girls were best of friends and joyfully included their little brother, Reggie, when he came along six years later. Her family served the Lord as her father preached throughout Oklahoma. At church camp, at 13 years old, she met the love of her life, Dickie Leroy Hinesley. Once Dick graduated high school and Navy bootcamp, he came home and proposed to his love, his one and only, his JJ. They married on November 14, 1962 and from there, they travelled and lived all over the US, residing at over 50 addresses in their 63 years of marriage.

In San Diego, CA, their first two girls, Wendy and Kandy, arrived in 1964 and 65, and joined the adventure. They both went to college when possible at Northwestern Bible College in Minot, North Dakota. As the girls grew, they decided to try to expand their merry band and welcomed Brandy “BG/B” in Pensacola, Florida in 1977. Throughout all of the years and moves, Shawnee, Oklahoma remained their homebase where both of their extended families resided. Upon Dick’s retirement, they returned home in 1988. Jan and Dick attended Johnson Church of God until illnesses caused them to move in with their youngest, B, and her family in 2019. Finally, due to a vacation emergency, Jan and Dick spent their final year together with their eldest daughter, Wendy, in the Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska metroplex.

Momma loved her family, friends, Christmas, and Jesus. She made faithful efforts to ensure that once you entered her circle, she stayed in touch. She wrote letters and sent birthday & Christmas cards to all she knew. At her most decorative, she and Dad had 17 trees in her house and redecorated everything, including the toilet covers, to celebrate Christmas (from Halloween on, and one time before Halloween). Even when they did not have much, Momma made sure to knit booties for each family member, to warm their tootsies and their hearts. As the elders in our family could no longer entertain large crowds, Mom gladly took up the mantle of family get together planning and hostess, having over 50 people for many Christmas celebrations.

Growing up, we learned that friends are chosen family and no matter how far apart, they were always near to our hearts. Momma sent messages, cards, and letters to keep in touch with them all, including the lovely Roberts family who adopted us all beginning in ‘63 in San Diego.

Momma also followed her beliefs and took care of others whenever possible. From women’s ministries to Girl Scouts to owning a charity thrift store to help the homeless and anyone else in need that she met, she gave from her heart. Her family could always count on receiving a birthday card with a handwritten note celebrating them from Aunt Jan, Nana, or Momma. When we grew up and had children, she continued sending cards no matter how large our family grew to great grandchildren and even great-great nieces and nephews. Jan remembered birthdays, distant relatives, and other important family history for all of us.

Over the years, Momma helped hundreds to celebrate, as she loved to decorate cakes, until her hands would not let her any longer. From Burt and Ernie to studly cakes, she either bought the pan or created everyone’s favorites. This came long before baking shows and how to videos, her talent came straight from the heart and determination to see everyone smile when their cake arrived.

Despite her busy life being a mother, family historian & record-keeper, volunteer, and caregiver, she also worked at a variety of places. Each one became another group of friends. Her first boss, Bob at Benton’s Cafe in Shawnee, and his family still joyfully welcomed her and gave her a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie every time she walked in until they closed their doors in the late 2010s. She retired after almost twenty years at Tinker Air Force Base and spent the next fifteen years running around visiting and doing errands for anyone who asked. When it came to her own girls, she went above and beyond, driving hours several times a year to visit them out-of-state, two hours just to babysit, or even fly across the country to help. In all she did, she always joyfully gave.

Most importantly, Momma loved her family and that love will be her everlasting legacy. She will join her mother, M. Geneva Pate Wood, father, George Calvin Wood, and sister Jacqueline Sue Wood Vanderburg for the best games of moon in heaven! Her Nana heart will be whole once again as she gets to hug her grandson, Dondy Leon Robbins, and hold her two baby granddaughters, Megan Lanee` Zenor and Cassidy Jeanee` Gresham. Those of us left behind will miss her more each day: her husband, Dickie Leroy Hinesley, her daughter and son-in-law, Wendy Janee` Hinesley Zenor and Steven Lloyd Zenor, her daughter Kandy Sheree` Hinesley, her son-in-law, Jackie Leon Robbins, her daughter and partner, Brandy “B” Geneva Hinesley and Michael David Harrison. Also, her grandchildren and their spouses, Jonathan and Danae Zenor, Kinya and Jonathan Roberts, Dejeanna and Jamelle Robbins, Brittany Thurman and Jeremy Maxson, Brenton and Rachel Zenor, Kaitlyn and Andrew Logan, Katheryn and Tyler Williams, Immanuel Kennedy, Daenyra States, and Elocin States. Also, twenty great-grandchildren, twenty-two nieces and nephews plus their spouses, many great-nieces and great-nephews, and even a few great-great-nieces and nephews. A grand legacy of love indeed! We love you Momma!

Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday March 13, 2026 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel, Tecumseh, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home.