Jaynce Joy Hollis, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 7th 2026.

Family and friends are invited to Jan's Life Celebration at 2:00 PM Monday, June 15, 2026 at the First Baptist Church in Centralia.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until the time of the service on Monday at the church.

Born on March 28, 1937, in Neodesha, Kansas. Jan was the daughter of A.G. and Rosemary Gilliland.

While attending Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Kansas City, she met the love of her life, Jim Hollis. The two were married on December 8, 1962, in Independence, Kansas and together built a life centered on faith, family, and community.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Hollis; her children, Julie Nance and husband Keven, Becky Berck and husband Todd, and Jason Hollis. Grandchildren, Allison Vore (Jake), Carley McCoy (Josh), Dylan Nance (Lauren), Mary Kate Berck, and Jackson Berck (Marissa); and by her great-grandchildren, Ayden McCoy, Lincoln Vore, Jacob McCoy, Josh McCoy, Keven McCoy, Thea Vore, Reese Nance, Avery McCoy, Baker Berck and coming soon baby Reagan Nance. She is also survived by her sister Sally Janssen and husband Alfie Janssen and several nieces and nephews.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, A.G. and Rosemary Gilliland, Jon and Janet Harp (sister in law) and by her nephew, Scott Janssen.

Jan attended Ottawa University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959. She began her teaching career in the Shawnee Mission School District teaching middle school language arts prior to stepping away for several years to raise her family. She returned to teaching at Centralia Middle School, where she taught for 20 years. If you were ever a student in her class you likely remember her devotion to teaching students about the Holocaust. In 1972, Jan began teaching Adult Basic Education classes part time in Boonville, Mo. She then continued teaching adults and helped them earn their GED in Centralia. Overall, Jan taught Adult Basic Education for over 40 years. Many of those years it was alongside her fulltime job of teaching middle school students. Her patience, encouragement, and dedication made a lasting impact on countless students, helping them reach their goals.

Jan lived a life marked by faith, service, and a genuine love for others. A member of First Baptist Church of Centralia, she served in countless ways. She found great joy in working with children and youth. Including Vacation Bible School, bus ministry, Mission Friends, Girls in Action (GA's), and Acteens. An avid reader herself, Jan spent countless hours during retirement improving and expanding the library at church.

Jan's love for her country and her community was evident in many ways and she sought to leave a lasting impact. As a member of the Centralia City Cemetery Board, she proposed the idea for the Avenue of Flags in 2005. Seeing the flags displayed brought her great joy.

Jan will be remembered for her deep faith, servant heart, gentle spirit, and unwavering love for family and friends. Above all, Jan loved Jesus, her desire was for all to know Him as their Savior.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Centralia Avenue of Flags or the First Baptist Church of Centralia Youth Group.