Jan Fletcher

We mourn the loss of Jan Fletcher, who passed away on 10 April, 2025. Jan was a beloved family member— only daughter to Bill and Patsy Fletcher who both preceded her in death. In addition, she was a cherished niece, cousin, and family member of the family lines of Herndon, Fletcher, Crawford, and Harrison of Tallahassee and Quincy, Florida, and Thomasville, Georgia. Jan is survived by Danna and Don Bedell of Cumming, GA, Ware, Kristy, Julia, Ashley, and Drew Bedell of Johns Creek, GA, Brook, Chris, Jackson, Grant, and Brett Bedell of San Antonio, TX, Adam, Jenn, and Dakota Bedell of Cleveland, GA, Matthew, Leigh, Mason, and Lauren Bedell of Kansas City, KS, Holly, Crawford, Emma, and Aiden Harrison of Atlanta, GA, David, Jennifer, and Alex Harrison of Sharpsburg, GA, and Kenny, Claudia, Jason, and Matthew Grantham of Crawfordville, FL. Jan was born on 23 April, 1957 in Tallahassee, Florida. She attended Florida High School. Upon graduation, in 1975, Jan left for Georgia and attended Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia in the fall of that year. She met her dear friend Harriet Colson (now Murphy) as her roommate during her freshman year in college. Back then, one didn’t know who their roommate would be. Harriet and Jan not only made stories to tell during that first year at Andrew College (in addition to pledging Zeta Delta Pi sorority) but would continue to make stories for the next 50 years. A true testament to that friendship made as two young women left home and began the journey of life. Jan left Andrew College, and following the footsteps of Patsy and Bill Fletcher as well as Tracy Harrison, also attended Florida State University (FSU). Jan ultimately earned her degree in early childhood education. Following graduation from FSU, Jan embarked on a journey that would take her to Rochester, New York (far from the orange groves of Florida and the Spanish moss and canopy roads of Tallahassee, Florida) for a few years. She later returned to Florida, settling in Tampa. Jan operated a successful interior design and contracting business for numerous years until relocating back to Tallahassee, Florida to assist and be with her mother, Patsy Fletcher. After being widowed for a number of years, Patsy Fletcher remarried to Robert Jett. Jan gained a stepfather with whom she had a good relationship. She, also gained a brother and sister with Bobby and his wife Debbie Jett. The Jetts are musicians, Jan loved the music they made. She loved spending time at the farm and fishing with them. Jan spoke often and fondly of the Jetts. Jan loved her family and those around her. She loved her Tallahassee and Thomasville roots. Adam and Jan would stay up way too late discussing the memories of riding horses with their Uncle Randy across the acreage, and what it was like having a true 7-course southern breakfast while the horses were fed prior to riding for the day. Jan loved the stories of the 4 cousins—Patsy Fletcher, Tracy Harrison, Randy Bibb, and Danna Bedell. She loved to hear and reminisce the stories of the “cousins” growing up. She always laughed when chatting about how Patsy and Tracy would try and sell “mudpies” that they collected from the cow pasture. Thankfully, even in the late 1940’s—they never sold a single one. Another classic story Jan loved to tell was that of Uncle Tracy taking Patsy dancing at FSU at the student union (remember those) while Bill laughed. While the other students were aware of Paty and Bill’s marriage—they were unaware of the cousin and best friend relationship between Patsy and Tracy. When Jan relocated south of Tallahassee, Adam, Jenn, and Dakota Bedell, as well as Danna and Don Bedell would visit and spend time eating fried chicken, french onion soup, and ice cream. There would naturally be good, terrible tv playing in the background. After their beach trips, Jenn and Dakota didn’t need to help her find these shows on the television—Jan already had the channels bookmarked! Jan loved the new family she made with the Granthams. She became a mother to Kenny and Klaudia and a beloved Grandmother to her two boys—Jason and Matthew Grantham. She moved to Crawfordville, Florida to be closer to them. They would spend holidays and vacations together. Jan traveled with the Granthams to Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and numerous parts unknown across Florida and the two coasts. Jan reveled in her role as a beloved grandma to Jason and Matthew. She attended school lunches, Grandparents days, soccer games, karate belt exams, karate tournaments, and school band concerts. She was a loved and respected family member to the Granthams and they played a key role in the happiness of Jan following the migration down south from Tallahassee. Jan Fletcher was one of a kind. Jan was a giver and always loved helping people, she believed in people. Jan always gave support to veterans, folks with disabilities, and folks that needed help. Jan was also an incredible mentor and teacher. Jan would apply principles learned from her early childhood education degree to folks she met and interacted with. As we all know—adults are kids with experience. Jan would utilize early childhood teaching principles, typically applied to younger kids, to us adults that needed a little extra perspective on life. Those that knew and loved Jan in life miss her in death. We miss the laughter and the reinforcement that if you can’t laugh at yourself—you need to reconsider your stature and perspective of this world. “Check yourself” is what she would say. Jan reminded us that life is fluid and constantly changing. Sometimes at her will—but that reinforces that we collectively can get too caught up in the whirlwind. We need to remember to step aside and blow in the wind from time to time. Because you just might really enjoy the journey and find yourself in a new place, with new people, and new experiences. But you are still you-- and you are better for it. God speed Jan Fletcher. LUB! A private family celebration was held for Jan, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice or the Lupus Research Alliance. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements 9850-385-2193, wwwbevisfh.com).

Tributes

Jan Fletcher

April 23, 1957 - April 10, 2025