Janette (Belcher) Ryan

Janette Belcher Ryan, 105, was born in McCormick County, SC, on September 16, 1919. She was one of 12 children to the late Marshall and Linnie McClendon Belcher. She was educated in the Abbeville County School System, where she was Salutatorian of her graduating class. She was a great female basketball player.

Janette later moved to New York City with her sister, Ethel. She pursued a career as a seamstress at the Mattell Toy Company in New York City. Janette met, fell in love with, and married John Henry Ryals, Sr., and to that union they had one son, John Henry Ryals, Jr.

Janette was very politically active, and worked as a Poll Manager for the New York City Board of Elections.

Janette Belcher married Mr. Otterway Ryan, and that reunion remained until his death in 1980.

Janette left Brooklyn, NY, and returned to her hometown of Mount Carmel, SC. She built her new home on the Belcher Estate, and brought her children and grandchildren back with her. She was a member of the Rockford Church where she served faithfully as a Missionary, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and Stewardess responsible for preparing Holy Communion. She was also a member of the Mount Carmel Chapter of Eastern Stars.

Janette lived the remaining of her days in her home on The Belcher Estate, and on March 3, 2025, she passed away peacefully in her home.

Janette leaves to cherish her precious memories and legacy three sons, John (Sidney) Henry Ryals, Jr., Windell Ryan, James Ryan; one daughter, Frieda Ryan; eight grandchildren, John Henry Ryals III (JJ), Kisha, Janet, Felicia, Clifford, Winter Grace, BJ, Rachel; seven great grandchildren, TAJ, Jessica, Viktoria, Khalid, Qaadir, Jamari, Xander; one sister, Linnie Johnson; one sister-in-law, Ruth Belcher.

Janette was preceded in death by her parents; Marshall and Linnie Belcher; her husband, Otterway Ryan, one daughter; Gwendolyn Tolliver, one grandson; Timothy Tolliver, six brothers, Willie Belcher, Robert Belcher, Harold Belcher, Ulysses Belcher, Earl Belcher, James Marshall Belcher; three sisters, Ruth Lomax, Ethel Harris, Sarah Atkins; four brother-in-laws, Eugene Lomax, Jack Harris, Liddel Atkins, Gus Johnson; five sister-in-laws, Janie Mae Belcher, Wilma Belcher, Luenel Belcher, Alberta Belcher, and Mary Alice Belcher.

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