Janet Chism McCann

1938 - 2007

Memorial services for Janet Chism McCann, 68, of Natchez, who, after a strong battle with cancer, passed away Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, in Natchez, with the Rev. Brock Watson officiating.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. at the church. There will also be a visitation-”celebration of life”-for friends and family Friday, Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tim’s home, 36 Melanie Road in Natchez.

She was born Feb. 25, 1938 to Wyatt Bradford Chism and Mary Jo Wright Chism in Crowder, Miss.

She was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She began her career as a dietitian at Jeff Davis Hospital in the late 50s and then joined the Natchez Public Schools in 1963 as Assistant Director of School Food Services. She retired as director in 1992. She continued as a school food service consultant for several years after her retirement. She was a member of the American School Food Service Association, and the Mississippi School Food Service Association and served on various committees at state and national levels. Janet was one of the first to implement the summer feeding program for children in this area and was instrumental in implementing it throughout the state. She was instrumental in getting the 1984-85 Mississippi School Food Service Association Conference to be held in Natchez. The Mississippi School Food Service Association dedicated the 1993-94 conference to her. She was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross and that echoed her philosophy of “helping others.” She was named one of Natchez’s Unsung Heroes. Janet was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who loved her family and friends untiringly and gave unselfishly to anyone who needed help.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, William Farris Chism; and sister, Betty June Chism.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Bruce Elliott McCann; her sons, Mark Elliott McCann and wife, Pam, Timothy Bruce McCann and wife, Stacy, and Joseph Charles McCann and wife, Nita, all of Natchez; grandchildren, Jessie Frances McCann, Mark Elliott McCann Jr., Lauren Brooke McCann, and Kaitlyn Elizabeth McCann, all of Natchez; brother, Thomas Franklin Chism of Greenville; sisters, Irma Grace Strong Caldwell and husband, Pat, of Natchez, Jimmie Lynn Strong Simpson and husband, Johnny, of Ackerman and Rebecca Ann Strong Davidson and husband, James Lee, of Natchez; a special aunt, Frances Hester-Holston of Belzoni; sister-in-law, Judy Chism of Leland; 14 nieces and nephews; 16 great-nieces and nephews; two great-great-nieces and nephews; and two special long- time friends, Corrine Olsen Randazzo of Vidalia and Barbara Nell Parker Stewart of Natchez.

Several months ago, Janet’s friends and family formed a team for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life that is to be held on May 4, 2007, in Vidalia. Janet’s goal was for that team to raise $10,000 for cancer research; therefore, in lieu of flowers the family is requesting that a donation be made to the American Cancer Society for The Natchez Hound Dogs Relay for Life Team. These donations should be mailed to Amanda Criswell, 111 Rollingwood, Natchez, MS 39120.