Jan Minchew, 76, of Valdosta, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

She grew up in Valdosta and graduated from Lowndes High School in 1967. She then attended Val Tech (now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College), where she studied accounting. Jan began working at an early age in her family's business, Minchew's Restaurant. A lifelong resident of Valdosta, she was devoted to her family, her community, and the place she proudly called home.

Throughout her career, she worked for several businesses, including Hughston Clinic and Shaw Industries. Following the death of her daughter, Christina, Jan became especially devoted to her grandchildren, lovingly helping raise and care for them. She also cherished her many friendships, especially with Kaye and Drew Smith, and enjoyed taking her family to St. George Island for beach vacations.

Although Jan truly preferred being in Valdosta, she never hesitated to brave Atlanta traffic to spend time with her grandchildren. She was rarely empty-handed, always arriving with casseroles and other homemade dishes that became treasured family favorites. Jan also had a generous heart for those in need, volunteering and supporting both The Haven and the Valdosta-Lowndes County Humane Society. She found great joy caring for rescue dogs and tending to her flowers.

Jan is survived by her grandchildren, Alexandria and Austin Mayfield of Greenville, South Carolina, Olivia Pearson and Madox Pearson, both of Cumming, Georgia; her nieces, Tiffany Minchew of Johns Creek, Georgia, and Courtney and Sean Reynolds of Winter Springs, Florida; her son-in-law, Jonathan Pearson of Cumming, Georgia; and her nephews, Addison Stern, Austin Stern, and John Stern, all of the Pacific Coast. She was preceded in death by her parents Carl Dean Minchew and Thelma Agnes Reid Minchew, her daughter, Christina Pearson; and by her brother Gary Minchew and her sister Teresa Minchew.

A funeral service for Jan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, in the Chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Towson officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. A private burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Humane Society. Condolences may be shared online at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home