Janice Jean Mead

Janice Jean (Sappington) Mead, 78, was reunited with her lost loved ones on October 18, 2025. She passed peacefully, in her favorite place, the beautiful home she shared with her son and his family, in Augusta, Kansas.

Jan was gifted to the world on July 25, 1947, in Stella Missouri, the daughter of Garland Lincoln and Helen Claire (Galbraith) Sappington; the best parents, as she often described them. She grew up helping her father at his grocery store, following her older brother Jerry, and driving up and down main street. Jan attended Uyless, KS High School, surrounded by friends that she loved until the end, proudly excelling in education.

She attended Garden City Community College where she received her Associate's degree. She briefly attended Kansas State University while her babies grew into children. She relocated to Wichita in 1983 with her two children, and began a new journey at Wichita State University, where she received her Bachelor's degree in 1986, then her Masters of Education in Counseling in 2002. Jan had a successful and beloved career in human resources and retired from career counseling at Wichita State University. She loved the Shockers long after and joined family members in attending games and supporting the school and students in a myriad of ways. After retirement, Jan continued her service of aiding others by volunteering to help young people with their resumes and career journeys. her love of helping others could not be satiated.

Jan was a dedicated daughter, devoted wife, a loving mother, doting grandmother, an artist of all, and an amazing friend to everyone she met. Jan did not meet a person that she wouldn't help or befriend, often walking right up to strangers to guess their careers and engage in conversation. Community was an outlet for the overwhelming light that poured out of her, and she did not know a stranger.

She spent sixteen years building a family which gifted her with the first two loves of her life, her children, Schana Renae Allen (1969) and Chad Jerrod Allen (1973). With bravery and determination, she relocated to Wichita with her two children and lived there comfortably before meeting her soulmate, Howard Alan Mead. Howard and Jan's love could not be contained, and they blended their family into a bouquet of beauty. The joy, love, and laughter from their home in West Wichita still sings a song in their loved one's hearts. Jan and Howard endeavored on countless adventures all over the world, which she held dear to her heart. The beauty of the world was something she saw everywhere, and the world was lucky to have held onto a beauty such as her, for as long as we were able to. Her light will continue to shine in the hearts of those that she raised and loved.

She is survived and missed by her son, Chad and his wife Susan of Augusta, KS; three step children, Kyle Mead of Kansas City, Kris McDaniel of Dallas, TX, and Jennifer Kardos of Rowlett, TX; 10 grandchildren, Mandy, Matt, Wesley, Ashley, Hannah, Tyler, Mackenzie, Drew, Kaylen, and Piper; 11 great-grandchildren; and countless friends.

The gates were held open by those who preceded her in death, her loving parents, Helen and Garland; her soulmate and husband, Howard; her daughter of strength, Schana Martine; her caring brother, Jermy Sappington; and a myriad of tail-wagging pets.

The family considers themselves unbelievably lucky to have had such a model of love, bravery, and strength that was Janice Jean. The loss of her presence is one that strengthens through spirit as she rejoins those she lost too soon. Jan wished to depart from this plane with peace and positivity, preaching that a party must be held instead of a mournful memory of loss.

The family will hold a celebration of life on November 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM hosted by the Andover Methodist Church. It will be followed by a celebration of Jan, with her favorite food: dessert. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to plant a tree in Jan's honor, you can do so by following this link: https://store.condolences.com/jones-vanarsdale-funeral-home-lebo/73d5dcd6-da9c-4b4c-96a5-cee107556598/trees

Jan will be missed dearly by all, her dedication to joy and hope flowing through the veins of all who had the honor of meeting her. She believed life was too short to wait for perfect timing, she lived by her own mottos, concocted of quotes that lined the walls of her mind. Eat the cake, take the trip, and to hold onto hope, there is too little time together to waste it.

Romand 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."