Janey Belcher

Janey Belcher, age 74, of Lumberton, MS passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024.

She was born in Abbs Valley, VA where she grew up and graduated from Graham High School. In April 1980, Janey was initiated into Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. During her time in the sorority, she was the Valentine Queen for her chapter and earned the Exemplar Degree badge in 1992. Mrs. Belcher worked several jobs prior to joining The United States Air Force in 1973. Janey spent her military career setting an exemplary standard for other married women. From the onset she inspired other women as she was the first woman to remain in active duty at Langley Air Force Base after her pregnancy was confirmed. She continued to forge new paths for women in uniform as she was one of the first women assigned to serve in Izmir, Turkey. Her trailblazing achievements and her unwavering determination in the military paved the way for working mothers. Not only did she open doors for other women to follow, she also did it with grace and excellence earning multiple military ribbons, medals and achievements along the way. Janey was especially proud of her Small Arms Expert Rifle Ribbon, her National Defense Service Medal, and her Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (her unit she was leading). Janey served 18 years of active-duty service and 32 years reservists’ duty.

If you knew Janey, then you know that she was extremely creative. Janey loved sewing, painting, cross stitching, and other arts and crafts. She would often be found in her art room working on house decorations, Christmas decorations, etc.

Janey was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Betty Lou Hess; her beloved dog, Skippy; and her daughter’s dog, Samson (Samon may have belonged to her daughter, but Samson adopted Janey as his human).

Survivors include her loving husband, Bernard “Buddy” Belcher; her children, David Belcher, Missy Belcher; daughter-in-law, Dawn Belcher; 3 grandchildren, Travis Belcher, Lauren Yoggy, and Skye Belcher; 4 great-grandchildren, Brayleigh, Levi, Stella, and Layal; her brother, Clinton Hess Jr.; and sister-in-law, Barbara Hess.

A funeral service will be held at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs MS on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 1:30 PM. Friends may visit from 12:00pm until service time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS where Janey  will be laid to rest with Military honors.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Janey Belcher.