Janis Ann Pharis

Janis Ann Pharis passed away peacefully on July 8, 2014, at the Willard Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born October 1, 1945, in Paris, Ark., the only child of Carlton and Oleta Hixson, both deceased. In 1963, Jan graduated from Paris High School, where she is remembered for her sense of humor and academic achievements. She graduated as valedictorian, and went on to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for three years where she studied accounting. It was at the U of A where Jan met her future husband, Bill C. Pharis. They were married for 24 years before Bill passed away in 1989. Jan and Bill spent most of their married life in Searcy, Ark. In the early years of their marriage, Jan was a stay-at-home wife and mother to their only child, Carla, though she enjoyed being a substitute teacher in the Searcy Public Schools during those same years. In 1974, Jan went to work at Riley Real Estate in Searcy, where she worked as an office manager and income tax preparer for 10 years. In 1987, Jan and Bill moved to Booneville, Ark., where Jan worked at Fitzgerald Olsen Century 21 Real Estate for approximately 20 years. Before she retired in 2009 to Fayetteville, Ark., Jan worked for a short time at the Logan County Prosecutor's Office in Booneville. At each place she worked, Jan was treasured for her incredible attention to detail and habit of putting in long hours every day to make sure everything was done to perfection. Jan is survived by her only child, Carla Gay, Carla's husband Robert and son Matthew, of Fayetteville, Ark.; and her uncle, Warren Birkhead of Ola, Ark. She is also survived by her cousins Linda and Jim Young of Little Rock, Ark.; and Kelly, Chris, Kenley and Tyler Brown, also of Little Rock, Ark. Finally, Jan is survived by her beloved "grand-dog" Abby, a four-year-old Lab mix that she adored, and many dear friends that she made everywhere she went. Funeral services are scheduled Friday, July 11, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Roberts Funeral Home in Booneville, Ark. Burial will follow at Elizabeth Hall Cemetery in New Blaine, Ark., under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. The pallbearers will be Mark Limbird, Brett Pritchard, Robert Gay, David Hardin, Mike Loyd, and H.B. Griffey. The honorary pallbearers will be Larry Luersson, Keith Olsen, and Jim Young. To sign online registry, go to robertsfh.com.