Janice Kay Hembree, age 78 of Smyrna, passed away Tuesday September 23, 2025. She was born in Madison, TN, and was a life-long Tennessee resident, living in and around the Nashville area. Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Nellie Cox, and her brother, Buddy Cox.

Janice is survived by her devoted husband of 31 years, Keith Hembree. She is also survived by her sister, Linda (George) Kemper of Florida, her daughter, Allison (Vince) McCarty of Murfreesboro, TN, and grandsons Christopher (Danielle) Stewart, and Caden and Hudson McCarty. Janice also leaves behind many family and friends and card playing buddies.

Janice graduated from Madison High School and then went on to graduate from beauty school. She was a hairdresser for over 50 years, working in the Antioch, TN area. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, going on beach vacations, and playing cards. Janice's greatest joy was cooking a big homemade meal and entertaining her family and friends, whether it was her Christmas Eve gatherings, during a baseball trip to New York, after Keith's golf games, or for her grandson's birthdays.  Janice never met a stranger and tried to make everyone feel at home.

Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 2:00-4:00 PM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Smyrna, TN. A memorial service will be immediately following the visitation at 4pm. Janice will be cremated, and interment will be at Kentucky Veteran's Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY, at a later date.