Janice Kay McIlroy Pippin Smith
Janice Kay McIlroy Pippin Smith was born on May 18, 1940, in Vernon, Texas.
Her dad was an oilfield pumper for the Waggoner Ranch, and she grew up at Grayback on the Waggoner Ranch. She spent her childhood roaming and exploring in the bliss of the Waggoner pastures along with her siblings and friends. She married P.L. Pippin, Jr. in 1960 at the Rock Crossing Baptist Church and embarked on an adventure of a lifetime as an Army Wife. Across the continental U.S. and Europe, she raised her three kids, sometimes on her own during her husband’s two deployments to Vietnam. Upon leaving the Army, Janice Kay settled in Archer City, Texas, with her family and then eventually moved back home to Vernon in the 1990s. Along the way, she met and married Wade B. Smith and established her final household alongside her church families at Rock Crossing Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Vernon.
Janice Kay absolutely loved the Lord and served Him resolutely throughout her lifetime. Her passion for church youth (Wednesday Night Warriors) and children throughout the world (Operation Christmas Child) kept her busy for the last thirty years. She loved her “kids” and served with a headstrong passion that marked her as a woman who could get things done. Throughout the hustle and bustle she generated, her motivation was always to serve the Lord, her church family, and her “kids.”
Janice Kay is survived by her three children, four stepchildren and spouses; her sister, Gayle Kelley; her grandchildren and great grandchildren; and countless Wednesday Night Warriors (her “kids”) whom she influenced, mentored, and supported along her life journey. She was an amazing woman whose love was returned in measure. She left an indelible mark on this earth, and her presence will be sorely missed.
The family requests donations be made to Operation Christmas Child – her Christmas Boxes passion, C/O First Baptist Church, Vernon, Texas.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Vernon with Mr. Gib Baskervill and Dr. Derrell Monday officiating.
