Janet Reed Brank

WEAVERVILLE - Janet Reed Brank, 92, went home to heaven on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Born in Erwin, Tenn., on January 19, 1925, Mrs. Brank resided in Weaverville for 61 years. She recently moved closer to family in Greenville, South Carolina. Mrs. Brank was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Glenn P. Brank Sr., her father and mother, Roy T. and Elizabeth Tuft Reed, and her sister, Virginia Reed Carlton. Mrs. Brank was a graduate of Mars Hill College. In the 1950s, she opened a daycare center, Weaver College Jr., on the first floor of her Church Street home. She and her late husband were longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville and later Brittains Cove Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir and was active in the ladies circle. She and her late husband enjoyed building and restoring a dozen homes in Weaverville during a 40-year span. In later years, Mrs. Brank was an avid walker around town with her beloved dog Bitsy. She had a ready smile, loved to watch birds in her garden, and spoiled her grandchildren. In addition to caring for her parents in their later years, Mrs. Brank wrote a collection of poetry, with themes of faith and hope: The brilliance of His presence My eyes can see each day With the morning golden sunrise With evening light that fades away… In daylight’s glow or nighttime hush In all I see or touch or hear In crowded ways or solitude I feel His brilliant presence near. Surviving are her children, Glenn II and wife Sue of Sacramento, Calif., Scott and wife Kim of Easley, S.C., and Beth Herron of Jordan, N.Y.; grandchildren, Chris Brank and wife Corine of Greenville, S.C., Katy Brank Nguyen and husband Chris of Houston, Tex., Bo Herron and Brooke Herron of Weaverville; brothers Robert Reed of Southern Pines, Douglas Reed and wife Grace of Cullowhee, and The Reverend Dr. Gordon Reed and wife Miriam of Gable, S.C., as well as many nieces, nephews and their families. Her Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home. Her brother Reverend Dr. Gordon Reed will officiate. The family will greet friends following the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in West Memorial Park, Weaverville. Memorial contributions may be made to Brittains Cove Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1590, Weaverville, N.C., 28787; or to the Weaverville Library, P. O. Box 663, Weaverville, N.C. 28787. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the skilled nursing staff and Hospice of Brookdale Greenville for their love and support. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Brank’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.