Janice Eiland Castleberry

Janice Eiland Castleberry, age 91, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 14, 2023, in a Dothan hospital following a brief illness. She was known and loved by people around Covington County.

Janice Eiland Castleberry

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m., at Buck Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Boles officiating. Interment will be in the Buck Creek cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services.

Mrs. Castleberry was born June 22, 1932, in Loango Alabama, to parents Olin T. and Bonnie L. Hartzog Eiland. She attended school in Loango until the second grade and later finished her schooling at Red Level. She was the Valedictorian of the Red Level Class of 1950.

On Oct. 4, 1952, she married Johnny Castleberry. They became parents to two children, Janna Castleberry Foshee and Jeff Castleberry. She was proud of her four grandchildren, Margo McIntyre Sharpless (Brad), Megan McIntyre Sasser (Jason), Marcus McIntyre and Taylor Castleberry and her three great-grandchildren, Mitchell Sasser, Marley Sharpless and John Holland (Land) Sharpless.

Mrs. Castleberry served as the “first-lady” of Covington County Commission District #4. She worked in harmony with her husband Johnny as he served as commissioner of that district for 20 plus years. She was always ready to bake her delicious cream cheese pound cake to take to friends in the community.

Janice was employed with Red Level School as an office assistant for over 25 years and retired on June 30, 1995. When she saw former students, Janice would say, they are “one of my children.” There is no telling how many good deeds she has done for the children of Red Level School that we’ll never know about.

She also liked to be introduced as “The Trash Lady” and the “The Blood Lady.” Mrs. Castleberry was actively involved with the Covington County Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she assisted with various blood drives, storm related recovery operations, and other forms of local assistance by the American Red Cross in the Covington County area. She was named an honorary lifetime member of the board of directors of the local chapter of the American Red Cross where she has served for over 30 years.

After the 1990 floods, Mrs. Castleberry was the driving force in organizing the Covington County PALS (People Against a Littered State) to keep the roadways and waterways of Covington County clean from litter. Her efforts included handing out trash bags to anyone or any organization who wished to adopt a specific area of our county and to make a commitment to “Clean-up!” She promoted recycling, saying, “I am a firm believer in recycling and ensuring we take care of what God has given us here on earth.”

Janice could be described as a tireless, energetic and enthusiastic volunteer. She was a member of the Pilot Club of Andalusia, and she volunteered at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Castleberry was an active member of Buck Creek Baptist Church. She served in the church nursery and taught Sunday School. Her daily motto was: “Each day I’ll try to do a golden deed.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny, and parents Olin and Bonnie Eiland, and her daughter, Janna.

Foreman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.