Jana Lewis Chillemi, 77, of Sky Valley, Ga., passed away with family by her side on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at The Glen of Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga.
Jana, (known by her nieces and grandchildren as Nana), was born to the late Waldo Johnson Lewis, Sr. and Thedeous Thurmond Lewis on August 12, 1942, in Greene County, Ga. By all accounts, her humble childhood was a happy one filled with mischief and adventures with her younger brother, Johnny, cousins, and friends. She adored music and loved to practice and perform with her beloved cousin Neal. Though she was a true believer in Jesus Christ, it is rumored that she invented the "church giggles" which regularly landed her in hot water as a youth.
After graduating from Greensboro High School in 1960, she traveled to Americus, Georgia, and received her nursing degree. She then moved to Albany, Ga., where she met and married her husband Tom Chillemi in 1966, and soon the two started their family.
Jana and Tom settled in Clayton, Ga., where their eldest, John, was born. In 1970, the couple moved to Florida and completed their family with the births of Nicole and Tommy. While raising a family, Jana continued to work as a nurse. In 1981, Jana and her family moved back to Greene County, settling in Greensboro where the children finished their high school years. During this time, Jana was the Director of Nursing at Minnie G. Boswell Memorial Hospital in Greensboro. She was a loving mother who taught her children to protect the underdog, work hard, and always remember to laugh.
When her children were all in college, she and Tom moved to their dream place in the North Georgia mountains, Sky Valley, to complete their careers and retire with their beloved pets. After more than 40 years of working as a nurse, Jana enjoyed her retirement years traveling with Tom and spending time with her friends and family. Jana loved her church, the Sky Valley Chapel, and spending time in her yard. Jana was a fierce friend to those who knew her best, loved her family dearly, and made the best biscuits in the world. She loved dogs and the Dawgs more than most people and will be sorely missed by her friends and family.
Jana is survived by her husband, Thomas Nicholas Chillemi, Sr., of Sky Valley, Ga,; son, John Chillemi (Daniela) of Lafayette, Calif.; daughter, Nicole Chillemi of Greensboro, Ga.; son, Tommy Chillemi (Tori) of Greensboro, Ga.; brother, Johnny Lewis of Greene County, Ga.; six grandchildren, Jack, Olivia, Paul, and Annabella Chillemi, of Lafayette, Calif., and Thomas and Hudson Chillemi of Greensboro, Ga.; Jana was preceded in death by her beloved younger sister, Toni Lewis Barnhart.
Services to celebrate Jana's life will be held at a later date. The family requests that any memorials be made to Jana's favorite charity, rabunpaws4life.com. The family would like to thank the staff at The Glen at Lake Oconee and Compassionate Hospice for the love and care they gave Jana during her final months. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, Ga., (706) 453-2626, is in charge of the arrangements. Visit www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.