Janet Lee Headrick
Janet Lee Headrick, 85, of Harrison, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 22, 2023.
Jan had lived in Harrison and been a Chattanooga area resident since 1961.
Jan was the daughter of Daisylee Jones and Austin McLeod White of Vandalia, IL. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Jan attended elementary school in Dallas, Texas while her father was in the Navy, before moving to Vandalia to finish her high school years.
Jan spent her summers in northern Wisconsin at Red Pine Camp and fell in love with the area. She went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and was always a proud Wisconsin Badger. While doing a postgraduate clinical internship at Vanderbilt University, Jan met and married her husband, the late Dr. James R Headrick, Sr. She practiced as a physical therapist at Vanderbilt Hospital for several years until the couple moved to Chattanooga, for Dr. Headrick to begin his surgical practice, where she practiced as a physical therapist at Erlanger Hospital.
When Jan became a mother in 1962, she also began a long and distinguished career of service in the Chattanooga community.
She was a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society Alliance. During her over 50 years as a member, Jan served on the board for 25 years and held nine offices, including one term as president. She served several years on the board of the Tennessee Medical Association Alliance, chairing its 2005 convention, and as State Chairman of the AMA-Education Research Foundation in 1989. She was a charter volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House for 18 years, and served on its board for eight years. She was co-chair of the 2002 American Association Heart Gala. She was a member and past president of the Dirt Dabbers Garden Club.
In honor of her service, Jan was one of ten leaders in the community honored as Chattanooga’s Women of Distinction (2010, American Lung Association of Tennessee). She received the Presidential Service Award (2005) from the Chattanooga Hamilton County Medical Society Alliance. She was also recognized by the American Medical Association Alliance, as Tennessee Chairperson (1989), for the largest state contribution to the AMA-ERF foundation.
Jan was a proud member of the Chattanooga community and had a tremendous knowledge of its history. When Volkswagen announced a plant opening near her home in Harrison (2008), she wanted to help welcome employees to the area and share the history of the city. She was employed as a destination services consultant to assist with relocation of Volkswagen employees to Chattanooga.
Jan will always be remembered as a beautiful, strong woman dedicated to her family and community. She was proudest of being a mother to her three children. She loved her role as “JoMama” and “Gamma”. Her smile instantly welcomed you, and her stories put you at ease. She thoroughly enjoyed every moment she was with you.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James Robert Headrick, Sr. and brother Alan White.
She is survived by her son William Austin Headrick, son James Robert Headrick, Jr. and his wife Anita Oaks Headrick, all of Chattanooga; her daughter Catherine Headrick Fiacco and her husband David Michael Fiacco, of Milton, GA; granddaughters Samantha Ann Headrick and Julia Austin Headrick, both of Chattanooga, and Natalie Catherine Fiacco of Milton, GA; her beloved grand dogs; her brother Paul McLeod White of Boston, MA; sister-in-law Carolyn Broady of Pigeon Forge, and dear friend Dorothy Oaks of Chattanooga.
A graveside service will be held at The Chattanooga National Cemetery on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 2- 2:30 p.m.. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Chattanooga Golf and Country Club from 3-5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Second Wind Society (www.sockittolungcancer.com), or the Tennessee Tech “Headrick Scholarship Endowment" (PO Box 1915 Tennessee Tech Foundation, Cookeville, TN 38505, ATTN: Jessica Smith 931-372-6106), or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37445, 423 531-3975, www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com.