Obituary of Janet R. McCants

Janet Ruth Turk McCants, 75, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023.  A Memorial Service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, 3:00PM in the Butler Methodist Church. A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 2:00PM until 3:00PM in the church, one hour before the service. The Reverend Brian Litch will officiate.
Janet was born July 21, 1948 in Butler, Georgia to John and Alma Ruth Turk. She attended school in Taylor county, graduating from Taylor County High School in 1966, then started college at the University of Georgia in Athens. After transferring to Southwestern State University, she recognized her true "calling" and began to pursue a career in nursing. She later graduated from The Medical College of Nursing in Augusta, Georgia with a Bachelor's degree. She married her high school sweetheart, Rentz McCants in 1978. She became a proud mother of their son, John Turk in 1979 and then their daughter, Melissa in 1983.
Janet devoted forty-five years as a nurse, caring and advocating for children and families in the cardiac intensive care unit a Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  She became part of the solid foundation and very beginning of CICU at Egleston Hospital during the summer of 1981 and remained an exemplary mentor to her peers, as well as, new nurses entering the profession. She was the recipient of the "Daisy Award" and often received recognition for her key role in nursing throughout he career.
Janet's commitment to children didn't stop within the hospital setting, as she was known to attend the funerals of children that passed in the ICU and would buy clothes or Christmas presents for children and families in need.
Janet also organized two trips to Tblisi, Republic of Georgia in 1996 and 1997. She not only organized the mission and logistics, but also acquired the equipment and medical supplies. Janet played a key role in ensuring the success of establishing a children's heart program that cared for Georgian children and those of several other countries in the area.
Janet loved to travel all over the world with friends and family. She was fully devoted to time spent with her grandchildren, watching "her boys" play ball and taking "her girl", Emmie Ruth on special trips. She also enjoyed spending time at their coastal home in Darien, Georgia.
Although Janet will be greatly missed, her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched. Her bold presence during her time on earth will leave a lasting mark for generations to come.
Janet's parents, John and Alma Turk, and sister, Alma Jean Watson precede her in death.
Janet is survived by her husband, Rentz McCants; son, John (Jennifer) McCants; daughters: Melissa (Matthew) Shehee and Renee (Chris) Gray; grandchildren: Braxton, Emmie, Ruth, Eban, Jarrett, Luke, Allie, Fisher, Mitchell, and Christin.
Please sign the online guest registry at www.heritagememorialfuneralhome.com and leave a personal condolence.
Heritage Memorial Funeral Homer & Crematory is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.