A pillar of the community, Janet Harper Gordon, 79, passed away in her home on February 11, 2022, lovingly surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Janet "Jan" Harper Gordon was born on November 17, 1942, in Lenoir, North Carolina. She was the oldest child born to the late Edward and Eunice Harper.

Janet attended and graduated from Freedman High School, Lenoir, NC, in 1960. Upon graduation, she furthered her education at Woman's College (University of North Carolina-Greensboro). After graduating from Women's College in 1964 with a history degree, Janet began her teaching career at West Charlotte High School, Charlotte, NC.

While attending Woman's College, Janet met the love of her life, Captain John Fairley Gordon, attending North Carolina A&T State University. John and Janet were married on December 27, 1964. To this union were born two daughters, Sharon Denise, and Joan Marie. Following the death of her husband in 1968, Janet embraced the challenges of raising two children by herself. She unconditionally, unselfishly loved her daughters and supported them all her life through the many highs and difficulties of their lives.

Janet returned to the University of North Carolina-Greensboro to obtain her Master of Education degree. After graduating in 1973, she resumed her teaching career in Greensboro, NC. She taught social studies at Lincoln Junior High School, followed by Jackson Middle School until her retirement.

Janet was active in the community. After her youngest daughter developed diabetes at the age of six, she made it her lifelong mission to help fund research to cure juvenile diabetes. She served on the Board of Directors for the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She was a previous member of "The Drifters Inc," a group of dynamic women with charitable, civic, educational, and social interests. Janet was on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Library at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Janet was a long-time member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church. Over the years, she taught both Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women, Ever Young Group and served as a chairperson for the youth group. Janet's love for her grandchildren was her most profound passion. She made sure that they had the best of everything. She was actively involved in their education and proud of their many accomplishments.

Janet is preceded in death by her husband, Captain John Fairley Gordon; her parents, Edward and Eunice Harper; brother, Edward Delane Harper, Jr.; sister, Victoria Dixon; nieces; Eleanor Harper, Detreona and Delicia Dixon; nephew; David Hendrix; great-nieces; Morgan, Noelle and Sydney Dixon.

Janet is survived by daughters, Sharon Bigelow and Joan Gordon; grandchildren, Caroline and John Bigelow; sisters; Linda Harper, Eunice "Tancy" Day, Brenda "Susie" English, Alesa "Gail" Larson (Chico), and Pamela Hendrix (Greg); and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A service honoring her life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 18, 2022 St. Matthews United Methodist Church 600 East Florida St., Greensboro, NC 27406.

Professional services are entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.