Janice (Jan) Jeanne Jones Engels

Janice (Jan) Jeanne Jones Engels went to be with the Lord on April 20, 2024, at 92 years young. Though she experienced multiple health challenges in her final months, she never lost her tender disposition, wit, or tendency to crack jokes with those she loved.

Jan was born November 16, 1931, in Jeffersontown, Kentucky to Lucille Yann Jones and Thomas R. Jones Sr. She developed her faith as a young child, eventually choosing to attend Columbia Bible College in Columbia, South Carolina where she would meet the love of her life, William (Bill) A. Engels Sr. They enjoyed a marriage of 68.5 years—one built on love for the Lord, friendship, and love for each other—until Bill’s passing in 2022.

During her husband’s 20-year career as a pastor, Jan was deeply involved in the church, tutoring children and young adults in their home and teaching piano lessons.  She later held the title of Director of Children’s Ministries at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, VA for 24 years where she grew the program and mentored emerging church leadership. Once she and Bill moved to the Lake of the Woods in Locust Grove, VA, she was requested to “come out of retirement,” soon after becoming the Directory of Children’s Ministry at the Lake of the Woods Church for another five years.

While most knew her for her contributions to the church, to her family she was much more. JJ, GM, the “barefoot girl from Kentucky” (not so) secretly indulged in chocolate, loved cheering her grandchildren on at their sports games, and never missed out on an opportunity to send a handwritten note. She self-authored two memoirs and collected family memories in numerous scrapbooks to be passed on through the generations. Jan was the model for patience, hope, and selflessness—92 years would never be enough for this world to benefit from her goodness.

Jan is survived by her daughter that she lived with and who was her caregiver for 10 years, Rebecca Bryan and son, William (Mary) A. Engels, Jr. She leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Kimberly (Brent) Wensel, Nicholas (Stephanie) Blessing, Kristen (Brandon) Taylor, Ashleigh Engels (Tyler Wilson), and Amie Raymann (Lauren Farrell) and 6 great-grandchildren: Stella and Jack Wensel; Michael, McConahy, and Brayden Blessing; and Liliana-Marie Taylor.  She is also survived by her brother, Neal T. Jones, Sr. and numerous nieces and nephews.  Jan was predeceased by her husband; her sister, Marilyn McMillan; her brother, Thomas Jones, Jr.; her brother-in-law, Robert Engels Sr.; and her sisters-in-law, Betty Jones, and Betty Engels.

A Memorial Service celebrating Jan’s life and impact will be held on May 10, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church, located at 124 Park Street NE, Vienna, VA.  22180.