Janice Hynum

Janice C. Hynum, 96, went to join her Lord on February 22, 2023. She was the third child, born on February 17, 1927, to Thomas Jefferson and Lottie Bell Smith in Idabel, OK. The family moved to Maysville, Arkansas soon after and then to Tucson, Arizona when their youngest son was born. It is there that Janice met her sweetheart, Ben, and they were married three weeks later. When Ben passed away, they had just celebrated their 67th anniversary.

After high school, Janice worked at the phone company until she met and married Ben, a recently discharged Navy veteran of WWII on April 13,1947. Six months later, Ben enlisted in the US Army where he served for 28 years. Thus began the journey of a military wife and mother with the birth of their daughter, Sandra Ann, the following January and Theresa Kay five years later. While living in Sierra Vista, AZ, a daughter, Tina Elizabeth, was born and passed away seven months later due to a heart defect. A robust, healthy baby boy, Benjamin Floyd Hynum III, was born in 1964.

During the course of Ben’s military career, they were stationed in Baumholder, Germany, W. Virginia, Paris, France, Arizona, California, Georgia (twice), Tucson, AZ and Salina, KS. Janice learned quickly the art of packing, unpacking and quickly made each house a home. Ben served in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War, leaving his family in the capable hands of Janice. Ben retired from the US Army in 1972 and subsequently Ben, Jan and Ben III moved to Grove, OK.

While Ben dabbled with various opportunities and projects, Janice entrenched herself in the community through her volunteer work at the schools and their church. A significant amount of her volunteering was at Grove General Hospital (now Integris Hospital) as a Cherry Red. It wasn’t long before she revived her experience as a young woman and manned the switchboard and reception desk. She loved the opportunity to comfort and encourage staff and patients. At age 65, she was offered that job as a paid position and saw many changes during the next 21 years. She retired at age 86 and was volunteering again six months later.

She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings (Coy, Wayne Ray, J.T. and Kenny Smith and sister, Corene Hanna), her husband Ben, infant daughter Tina Elizabeth and her daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Bob Sebring. She is survived by her daughter Terri (Pat) Lloyd and son, Ben Hynum III. She said she “found hope in the future” with grandchildren Melanie, Janna Lynn, Caleb and Joshua. She was thrilled with the growing families that included four great-grandchildren, Bailey (J.D.) Nielson, Justin Penrose, Sam (Kaitlyn) Cooper and Lauren (Chase) Shields and 10 great-great grandchildren. She was Aunt Jenice or Neicy to many nieces and nephews who surely have stories to tell of her sense of humor and shenanigans with her sister and brothers. The family is forever grateful to Gayla Flynn for her invaluable support and the love and encouragement shown to Janice in the nine years after Ben passed away. We also extend appreciation to Good Shepherd Hospice for the tender loving care they gave to Janice and her children; their support was what made it possible for her to remain in the home. Of course, most importantly, Janice not only knew the love of good family and friends, she knew the love of Christ

Janice and Ben were active members of First Baptist Church and, in earlier years, were a part of small home groups that eventually became churches, including Christian Center and Cornerstone Church. They participated in over 25 Lay Renewal Weekends in churches throughout Missouri and Oklahoma. Her faith and the support of her church family saw her through numerous family losses and challenges. In 2013, she lost her daughter, Sandy, son-in-law, Bob, brother, Kenny Smith and, in December, her beloved husband, Ben. She grieved each passing with the assurance that she would see her loved ones again and, no doubt, she is celebrating with them now.

Janice and Ben were avid bowlers in their younger and mid years. They bowled overseas and traveled to tournaments all over the US, often in the company of Janice’s sister and brother-in-law, Corene and Jim Hanna. They loved to travel and the two couples made numerous trips over the years. Janice loved to read, in particular Christian fiction and non-fiction, and knit.

Arrangements are being provided by Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, 711 S. Main St., Grove, OK 74344 and visitation will be at this location on Thursday, March 2 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 501 E. 13th Street, Grove, OK on Friday, March 3 at 11:00 am.  Janice will be laid to rest in Olympus Cemetery, Grove, OK.

As an alternative to flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hoofsnhorns Farm Sanctuary, 9740 West Lariat Drive, Tucson, AZ, owned and operated by Janice’s niece, Shelby Brawley. www.Hoofsnhornsfarm.org or on Facebook