Janice Metz, 77, Shreveport, LA, formerly of Ozark, AL, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Garden Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Shreveport after a brief illness. Janice had lived at Garden Park since September 2013.

She was born Janice Allean Barefield in Echo, AL, on April 12, 1938, daughter of the late Tine and Thelma (Mims) Barefield,

Surviving are three children: SMSgt USAF (R) Chuck and wife Angela, Bossier City, LA, Melanie Squire and husband Col USA (R) Brendan, Savannah, GA & Front Royal, VA, and LtCol USAF (R) Dean Metz, Savannah, GA; four grandchildren: Mollie Kate Squire, Front Royal, VA, John Wiley Metz, Bossier City, LA, and Reagan and Wallis Metz, Savannah, GA; three step-grandsons: Jasper Sinagra, Bossier City, LA, A1C Matthew Rogers, USAF, and wife Melody, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, and SRA Michael Rogers, USAF, and fiancee Caisee Reno, MacDill Air Force Base, FL; one sister: Dale (Barefield) Culp and husband MAJ USA(R) Marty, Hollidaysburg, PA; three nieces and one nephew: Angie Barefield, Midland City, AL, Gina (Baldwin) Adams, Ozark, AL, Rebecca Culp, Hollidaysburg, PA, and Matthew Barefield and wife Lori, Midland City, AL; two great-nieces (and one on the way) and two great-nephews: Ella, Allie and soon-to-arrive Harper Barefield, Midland City, AL, and Cole and Hayden Adams, Ozark, AL; one sister-in-law: Olivia (Barefield) Baldwin, Midland City, AL; and numerous cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by husband John Metz, Leavenworth, KS; sister Ann Barefield, Echo, AL; and brother WO1 Jimmy Barefield, US Army, Midland City, AL, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1972.

Janice attended Echo Elementary & Junior High School in Echo, AL, and graduated from Dale County High School, Ozark, AL, in May 1956. She also attended Wallace Community College Technical School, Napier Field, AL. Janice retired from U.S. Civil Service in August 1998 with 21 years of service in three government agencies: Farmers' Home Administration (Abbeville, AL), Department of the Army (Fort Rucker, AL and Yongsan Army Garrison, (Seoul, Korea), and Department of the Air Force (Kunsan Air Base, Korea, Gunter and Maxwell Air Force Bases, Montgomery, AL).

She enjoyed music, especially country, Southern gospel, and easy listening, and liked eating out and visiting with friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at Echo United Methodist Church, Echo, AL, at a later date followed by committal of her ashes in the Barefield family plot at the church cemetery.

The family suggests that donations be made in memory of Janice to the American Diabetes Association: by mail to 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311 or online to www.diabetes.org.