Janis Ann Powell Lytle was born to Edna Carlton Powell and Reid Hefner Carlton on January 3rd, 1946 in Anderson, SC. She grew up surrounded by family as her mother was the oldest of 10 children, and her father had 5 brothers and sisters. Weekends were usually spent with relatives, aunts and uncles at one of her grandparent’s houses. Her childhood was steeped in being surrounded by family and playing with cousins at her grandmother “Ma” Carlton’s house, yard and nearby pastures. Trips to nearby Rocky Bottom SC, also provided Janis with a foundation for adventure that would carry her through life.

When Janis’ grandmother had a stroke, she and her cousin Mike were tasked with sitting in the waiting room in case anything “happened”. It was there that Janis considered nursing school and applied to Anderson Memorial Hospital nursing school. She started in 1964, and likened it, complementary, to going to Mars and also being in a convent. She made life long friends during those years. Part of the nursing program included an admission to University of South Carolina, where she would meet the love of her life, Raymond Lytle.

Janis met Ray after he gave her a ride back to a dorm after a Fellowship after church. They enjoyed each other's company and started dating. They got married in December 1968 while Ray was on break from Army training. Janis lived at home, worked and saved while Ray was in Vietnam. After Ray’s tour, Janis and Ray spent several months living in Germany. They would take trips to the Alps and Italy.

Janis had two children, Lara and John, and took a few years off of work while they were born. She then took a job working at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. She went on to get her Masters in Nursing from Emory University while taking care of her mother who had Alzheimer's.

After the kids were grown and Ray retired, Janis continued to work using her expertise in nursing to evaluate hospitals and nursing care facilities for the Joint Commission. This gave Janis and Ray the opportunity to travel throughout the Southeast, making friends along the way. Janis and Ray enjoyed cruising, including trips to Oregon and Alaska.

Janis is survived by her loving husband, Ray; her daughter Lara and her husband Daniel; her son John and his wife Melissa; and her four beloved grandchildren Caitlin, Nikki, Phoenix and Ashlynn as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Janis Ann Powell Lytle.