Janet Gay Bond DeWitt

Janet “Jan” Bond DeWitt was a Christian artist. She passed away Thursday, February 6th, 2025. She enjoyed gardening and painting landscapes, but she was known for her portraits of prominent people, such as the Mayor of the Isle of Palms, SC, Richard Petty, and Jim Valvano. One of her commissioned portraits is on permanent display in the entrance of Smithfield Manor in Smithfield, NC.

She was born December 18th, 1937, to Vera Alethea and William Dennis Bond in Selma, NC and graduated from Selma High School. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she met her future husband, Thomas “Tom” Edgar DeWitt. They were married September 4th, 1960. She earned two other degrees: Master of Fine Arts from UNCG and a Masters at Duke University. Jan taught drawing and painting and art history for many years at Central Carolina Community College. She also had an art studio in Artspace in Raleigh, NC. She was an active member of Love’s Creek Baptist Church. On many Sundays, the congregation enjoyed flower arrangements cut from her yard.

Tom and Jan have two children, Thomas Edgar DeWitt, Jr. and Susan “Susie” Bond Taylor: grandchildren, John Michael, Thomas William, Janet Grace, and Mela DeWitt of Altamonte Springs, FL and Ian Andrew Taylor of Charleston, SC.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, at 2 pm, at Love's Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Kenny Black officiating.  

Memorials can be made to Love’s Creek Baptist Church, 1745 E 11th St., Siler City, NC 7344 and Golden Land Baptist Missions, c/o Lighthouse Baptist Church, 209 Gardner Rd., Horseheads, NY 14845.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the DeWitt family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh.com