Janice M Tinsley

Janice Mevelyn (Moody) Tinsley

Born: April 14, 1940

Joined the ranks of Heaven: July 18, 2020

Janice made her way up to Heaven early in the morning hours of Saturday, July 18, 2020, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She was at home, surrounded by family members.

Jan was born to Melvin and Roberta (Suggs) Moody on April 14, 1940. She was the third child born to this union – and third daughter. Melvin and Roberta assumed she would be their last child and wanted to pass on Melvin’s name. And so she was given “Mevelyn” as her middle name. This gave birth to her nickname “Mev” which she outwardly said she didn’t like but we suspect inwardly she enjoyed, because it was always said with love.

She married the love of her whole life, Jimmie R. Tinsley on Friday, June 13, 1958. There were no superstitions around this date, only blessings and love. Friday the 13th always held a positive connotation for the Tinsley family. Jim and Jan celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in 2017, just weeks before Jim passed away.

Those left to cherish her memory are three daughters: Sherry (Rex) Thomas, Tracey (Troy) Akers and Leslie (Darrin) Gray; seven grandchildren: Cooper, Clay, Tyler, Tara, Evan, Shelby, and Zachary; one great granddaughter: Thea. One of her favorite roles in life was being “Mamaw.”

Also succeeding her are her sister Linda (Dale) Bengtson and her brother Darryl Moody. She was “Aunt Jan” to many nieces and nephews. Jan was especially close to her cousin Gary (Cindy) and enjoyed visiting them in their Florida home. She also leaves behind her faithful companion, Lexie – their 12 year old schnauzer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim and her sister Sandra.

Jan graduated from Turner High School in Kansas City, KS in 1959. It was recently discovered that she graduated with honors and was the student director for the senior class play, Heaven Can Wait.

Jan retired from Blue & Co. in 2002 – at the same time Jim retired from AUL. She had worked as an administrative assistant over the years at Church Extension (Anderson), Home Interiors, MJ Insurance, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership and Suburban Health.

Jan and Jim moved from Kansas City, Kansas to Anderson, Indiana in the winter of 1962. They lived in Anderson, as well as Mobile, Alabama and Indianapolis during their years together. Jan’s father was a Church of God pastor, and as a result, they moved around a lot while she was growing up. Jan sang as part of the Moody Trio with her sisters in many different churches in her early years. They made a record together, which Jim had framed for her as a birthday gift.

One of those moves was from Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Kansas City, Kansas. Melvin became the pastor of the First Church of God on Shawnee Drive. Naomi and Ross Tinsley attended this church with their children – and their oldest was Jim. Jan was 13 when she first laid eyes on Jim; and she never considered another man to be her husband.

She baked and decorated cakes for friends and family to help add to the household budget. She and Jim worked together to make some rather elaborate designs on these cakes. In addition, Jan was an accomplished seamstress, making matching outfits for her girls in their early years.

Jim and Jan were youth group counselors at Park Place Church of God in Anderson for many years. As part of that team, they accompanied busloads of teenage to youth conventions around the US. Their positive influence was spread throughout the lives of countless young people.

Jan volunteered at her daughter Leslie’s school, reading to students. Most recently, Jan volunteered in their church office. She was a room mother for her daughters’ classrooms as they grew up. She attended numerous events and activities for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed board games, Mexican Train dominoes, crossword puzzles and playing cards. She and Jim were part of a monthly Euchre club with their friends over the years. She had a subtle, competitive streak that could catch you off guard. “Letting you win” wasn’t her style. As you might imagine, she was a game show enthusiast and worked to “win” each competition from the comfort of her home.

Jan enjoyed singing in the choir and was part of many special events that the Church at the Crossing choir put on over the years. She belonged to a small group Bible Study and these friends were part of her support system over the 35 years she and Jim attended Church at the Crossing.

She was an avid Colts fan; she and Jim held season tickets for several years. Her wardrobe was filled with Colts shirts, jewelry, and the like. Jan also enjoyed going to Pacers games and the pageantry that was part of that experience.

Jan was known for her smile and quick laugh. She made friends easily and kept those relationships over her lifetime. Her family was everything to her, and her most enjoyable moments were those times all were together. She will be missed beyond belief.