Sylvia Janice Barber Christmas
Sylvia Janice Barber Christmas
Sylvia Janice Barber Christmas, 91, of Graceville, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on February 19, 2026.
Janice was born May 9, 1934, in Cottondale, Florida, to Harvey and Vesta Barber. She was a proud graduate of Cottondale High School in 1952 where she was Captain of the basketball team and voted for most athletic. She had a strong work ethic and held numerous jobs in Cottondale until 1968 when she started working for the Washington County School Board, until she transferred to Jackson County School Board in 1975. Janice retired from Jackson County School Board in 1996. She spent many years of service helping students, faculty and staff at Cottondale High School and Graceville High School.
A devout Christian, Janice was a member of First Baptist Church of Graceville, after moving to Graceville in 1990. Her Sunday School Class was near and dear to her heart. She was very active until her health prevented her from serving. She was a talented seamstress and loved to cook for her family and friends. In 2025 she baked 102-pound cakes to give away to shut-ins and friends. Janice was an excellent hostess. She dearly loved her grandchildren and their friends like her own. She was known as “Nonnie” to all that knew and loved her. Her sharp mind protected a wealth of information about her family heritage, and she loved to share it with you.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Harvey and Vesta Barber; daughter, Evelyn Ramona Christmas; siblings, H.C. Barber, Jr (Ileene), Charles Barber (Charlotte), Evelyn Barber Register (Elton), Marilyn Barber Raynor (Ray); daughter in-law, Cassie Christmas.
She is survived by her sister: Caroline Barber Steele; children, Benjie Christmas, Lady Christmas Dietrich & husband Gordon. Her grandchildren: Hannah & Mark Brock, Christopher & Holly Dietrich, Nicholas & Chelsea Dietrich, Kaitlin Adams, Garret & Sarah Willingham, Austin Willingham.
Her legacy of strong family roots for future generations continues through her great grandchildren: Shelby Brock & Kaden Lemieux, Cooper Brock, Jackson Dietrich, Cale Dietrich, Jayden Willingham, JB Dietrich, Cannon Brock, Whitman Dietrich, Hallie Jo Willingham, Banks Dietrich, Tanner Willingham, & Baby Turner Dietrich due in April. She cherished her nieces and nephews and extended family.
A Celebration of Her Life will be 2:00 P.M., (CST), Sunday, February 22, 2026, at First Baptist Church Graceville with Pastor Naethan Hendrix, Stevie Harris and Dr. Jerry Windsor officiating with James & Lipford Funeral Home directing. Interment will be private at the Methodist Cemetery in Cottondale, Florida.
The family will receive friends in the Church Life Center for a time of fellowship after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Building/Grounds Fund at First Baptist Church Graceville 987 8th Ave. Graceville Florida 32440.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Northwest Florida Community Hospital and The Courtyard Rehabilitation for their care. The family will be forever grateful to Becky Owens and Cindy Martinez for the loving care and compassion they provided to Mrs. Janice.