Jana Jo Carpenter

Jana Jo Carpenter, 73, of Cambridge City, Indiana, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on November 26, 2025, after a brief week-long stay in hospice care at Brickyard Healthcare in Richmond, Indiana. For the past decade, Brickyard had been her home – its staff and residents becoming treasured friends who felt like family. Their devotion and companionship brought immense joy, comfort, and meaning to her life, and for that, her family is deeply grateful.

Born December 1, 1951, in Cambridge City to Ray and Wanda Carpenter, Jana was the beloved only daughter among three children. She grew up closely protected and deeply adored by her brothers, Dave and Tim, both of whom preceded her in death. Jana was a true daddy’s girl, inheriting from her parents a love of music, movement and dance, and laughter. Despite being born with hydrocephalus and given little hope for an ordinary life, she defied every expectation with grit, grace and the spirited determination of a fighter. Her life became a testament to perseverance, faith and the beautiful resilience of the human heart.

Jana graduated from Lincoln High School with the Class of 1971, proudly participating in choir, programs at the Baptist Church, baton twirling (which she loved and excelled at), Brownies and Girl Scouts. As a young woman, she took great pride in her appearance-perfect curls, coordinated outfits, and a radiant smile that won people over with ease. Her voice was lovely, her humor sharp, and her personality disarmingly sweet, carrying a childlike innocence that made her utterly unforgettable.

She found immense joy in life’s simple pleasures: Bingo, all things Christmas (especially anything related to the Grinch), coloring contests she fully intended to win, chocolate covered cherries, and ice cold Coke Zero- items she often sweet-talked visitors and staff into delivering with a grin.

She was, in her own charming way, a “collector” of candles, crossword puzzle books, Bath & Body Works treasures, blankets, purses and any small delight that brightened her days. Sharing, however, was not always the strongest of her spiritual gifts-unless it was love, laughter or kindness, which she gave freely and abundantly.

Though Jana delighted in many things, nothing compared to her greatest joy and accomplishment: becoming a mother. Her daughter, Jama, was the light of her life, the heartbeat of her world, and the person she loved with unmatched devotion. Jana adored Jama fiercely, and that love was returned to her tenfold. When she later became “Mamaw Jo” to her granddaughters, Annaleigh and Ellarose – her precious Rosie and Annie – her heart grew fuller still. Their visits, their hugs and simply their presence filled her days with purpose and pure delight.

Jana cherished visits from her cousin, Dana Flanagan, whose loyalty, warmth, and consistent presence brought her immeasurable happiness over the years.

She also treasured her only niece, lovingly known as “Tammy Ann”, Tamra Ann (Matthew) Davis, who often visited her bringing lots of laughter and special little surprises that Jana adored. Visits from her family and friends were bright spots that filled her room and her heart with true joy!

This year, restored by the grace of God, Jana entered Heaven joyfully – just in time to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by her parents, her cherished brothers, and the family she longed for. She leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, sweetness, humor and love. She leaves behind a daughter who loved and powerfully protected her and two grandbabies she loved as much as life itself. And she leaves behind countless friends at Brickyard who will feel her absence deeply.

Jana is survived by her daughter, Jama Carpenter; her granddaughters, Annaleigh Wyles (5) and Ellarose Wyles (4); her niece, Tamra (Matthew) Davis; and extended family who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Wanda Carpenter and her brother, Tim Carpenter and Dave Carpenter.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 30th from 1 – 3 p.m. at Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel in Cambridge City, with a second visitation on December 1, 2025, from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., on what would have been Jana’s 74th birthday. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Cambridge City, where she will rest beside her beloved brother Tim, whom she missed deeply throughout her adult life. Please also consider wearing something Red to her services, as it was her absolute favorite color.

Following the graveside services everyone is invited to the Golay Center for lunch.

Monetary donations toward funeral expenses can be made directly to Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel and Memorial contributions may be made to First Bank Richmond.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to friends-turned-family at Brickyard Healthcare. Your love, kindness, and care made her life full, vibrant and deeply meaningful. A special thank you also to her cousin, Dana Flanagan, for her unwavering dedication, frequent visits and joy she brought into Jana’s life.

Today, we remember a woman who found wonder in simple joys, who loved with her whole heart, who miraculously fought through hardship with courage, and who danced – sometimes literally – into the hearts of all who knew her.

She dances on streets of gold now!

Online condolences may be made at www.waskoms.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jana Jo Carpenter, please visit our floral store.