Janie Mae Aspinwall, 90, of Brunswick, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 9th, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born September 13th, 1934 in Pierce County to the late Willie Henry and Julie Henderson Thomas. As the oldest girl of many siblings, she grew up caring for her younger brothers and sisters. She met her husband, Jackie Aspinwall, at Larry Brown's gas station in 1949, and they were married the following year. She won him over with her fried chicken, and they spent the next 49 years together before Jackie's passing in 2000. Janie and Jackie moved to Brunswick in 1950 where she worked at Lewis Crab Plant then later as a homemaker, raising their two children, Jack and Tammy. Known as "Granny" to many who knew and loved her, food and acts of service were her love languages. She fed everyone who walked through her door and could get a meal from freezer to table in 15 minutes. She never sat down herself for the meal, instead making sure that everyone else was served. She enjoyed working in her yard, fishing with her family, and caring for her children, grandchildren, neighborhood kids, and animals of all kinds (except snakes). Her drink of choice was Dr. Pepper, and she was known for her crunchy oatmeal pecan cookies at Christmas, which none of her family has been able to duplicate. She never met a stranger and spoke to anyone in the grocery store, much to the embarrassment of her children and grandchildren. If anyone told her "it can't be done," she was going to prove otherwise.

She is survived by her two children, Jack (Lori) Aspinwall of Brunswick, GA and Tammy (Carl) Shanklin of Gardi, GA; her sister, Laura Ellis Walker of Pierce County, GA; her grandchildren, Caitlin (William) Kilpatrick of Searsport, ME, David (Anjelica) Aspinwall of Brunswick, GA, Tessa (C.J. Cowley) Shanklin of Springfield, GA, Taylor (Matthew) Leipheimer of Beaufort, SC; 10 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her grandpups, Mollie, Basil, and the "little doggies" of Springfield. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Aspinwall; her sisters, Ethel Passmore, Sadie Taylor, and Susie Cason; her brothers, William, John, David, Daniel, Bill, and Pete Thomas; her grandpups, Sally, Boomer, and Dottie; and her beloved kitty cat, Cocoa.

There will be a private graveside service for the family at Screven City Cemetery followed by visitation for friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Screven.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.