Jonesboro- Janis Louise Wood Lairson, 74, passed from this life Monday, May 24, 2021.

She was born September 1, 1946 in Caraway to the late Aubrey and Louise Dowless Wood. Janis attended Caraway High School and she remained active throughout her life with her Class of 1964 classmates. She graduated Arkansas State University, where she was a member of the Omicron Zeta Chapter of the Chi Omega Sorority. From there she went on to complete her Master's in Education from the University of Arkansas in 1971. After teaching for a while, she spent the last years of her career as a beloved Principal for students and teachers at Bay Elementary School. She was very passionate about her job and she cared for every student and teacher that passed through her door.

Janis and Howard were married in 1997. After she retired from Bay Public Schools. They started spending the winter months in Bonita Springs, Florida. They made many new friends from all over the United States and really enjoyed the months they spent there.

Janis and Howard were both very active in the local Elks Lodge over the years. Janis loved her nieces and nephew. They were like her own children and she lived to love and support them.

Janis had a larger than life personality that never met a stranger. She was warm, caring and beautiful. She never left the house without her Elizabeth Arden Red Diamond lipstick, she was always ready to meet family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all.

She is survived by her husband, Howard Lairson of the home; brother, Alan Wood of San Angelo, Texas; nieces, Sarah Meredith (Brandon) of Jonesboro and Kelli Wood (Sean) of Knoxville, TN; nephew, Dr. Michal Wood (Hannah) of San Angelo; two great-nephews that she often referred to as the "great loves of my life", Max and Dylan Meredith of Jonesboro; a great-niece, Ellie Wood of San Angelo; many cousins from the Wood and Dowless family and countless friends.

A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Ministers Bruce and Joan Primm officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers are the Caraway Class of 1964.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Janis's memory to the Food Bank of NEA. This good cause is near and dear to our hearts because our beloved Louise Wood, Janis's mother, who was the Food Bank warehouse manager in the late 1980's.