Janis Louise Leachman, 77, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Born on May 2, 1949, in Takoma Park, Maryland, Janis lived a life defined by unconditional love, quiet sacrifice, unwavering strength, and an extraordinary devotion to her family. She was the kind of woman who made everyone feel welcome, cared for, and loved. Her greatest joy was never found in material things, but in taking care of those around her.
Janis was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Edgar “George” Leachman; her parents, Betty Hartley Peters and Sumner Eugene “Slim” Peters; her brothers, Robin Peters, Larry Peters, and Bruce Peters; her daughter, Kelli Leachman; and her beloved grandson, Jonathan Mayzak.
She is survived by her loving children: Brian Leachman and his wife, Keri; Gregg Leachman and his wife, Jennifer; and Mandi Leachman and her husband, Guillermo. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Alyssa CopperSmith (Mitch), Jacob Leachman (Nicole), Nathan Leachman, Matthew Mayzak (Maggie), Alexis Mayzak (Russell), William Harding, Ellison Stenger, Brian “Cade” Leachman, Haylee Leachman, Bentley Leachman. Great grandchildren: Charlotte, Blakely, Jonathan, Gwen, along with countless extended family members and lifelong friends who were blessed to know her.
For more than twenty years, Janis worked for C&P Telephone Company while somehow always making her family her highest priority. She had an incredible ability to balance work and home, ensuring her children never questioned whether they were loved or supported.
To her children, she was the constant. She was the one who drove them to practices, stayed up late waiting for them to come home, made sure every friend who walked through the front door had a meal to eat, and insisted every child made it home safely. Her home was always open, and there always seemed to be enough food at the table for one more person. Her lasagna became legendary among family and friends.
Janis believed in hard work, personal responsibility, kindness, and doing the right thing. She didn’t always express love through words, but through countless daily acts of service. She taught by example, and her children carry those lessons with them every day.
She was also known for her honesty. If Janis had an opinion, you were probably going to hear it. She spoke her mind with conviction, and those who loved her wouldn’t have wanted her any other way.
In later years, despite declining health and losing much of her mobility, Janis continued to display remarkable resilience and determination. Even as she faced emphysema, congestive heart failure, and numerous health challenges, her concern remained focused on everyone else. Her strength never defined her by the battles she fought, but by the grace and courage with which she faced them.
Although her family mourns her passing, they find comfort knowing she has been reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, daughter, grandson, parents, and brothers.
Janis leaves behind a legacy far greater than anything money could buy. She leaves a family grounded in the values she instilled, countless lives she touched through her generosity, and memories that will forever remind those who knew her what unconditional love truly looks like.
Her greatest accomplishment was her family. Everything she did, every sacrifice she made, every extra hour she worked, every meal she prepared, every late night she stayed awake waiting for someone to come home, and every act of kindness she quietly performed was for the people she loved.
Her children and grandchildren are her living legacy. They carry forward the values she instilled, the example she set, and the unconditional love she gave so freely throughout her life.
The measure of a life is not found in what we accumulate, but in the people we love, the lives we touch, and the legacy we leave behind. By that measure, Janis Louise Leachman lived an extraordinary life.
She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Myrtle Beach Funeral Home, 4505 Highway 17 Bypass South, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
A Celebration of Life will immediately follow from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the home of Brian and Keri Leachman, 2044 South Waccamaw Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. Whether you knew Janis personally or simply wish to celebrate a life so beautifully lived, all are welcome.
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