Janice Heritage Rich Blethen

Celebrating the Full and Amazing Life of Janice Heritage Rich Blethen.

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Janice Heritage Rich Blethen, who departed this life on January 4, 2026 at 3:09am at the age of 82. Born on January 3, 1944 in Graham, NC, Janice touched the lives of all who knew her with kindness, grace, generosity, and an unwavering spirit.

Janice was a cherished wife, parent, sibling and friend and a respected member of the Alamance County business community for decades as the owner of Blethen Staffing. As a pioneer, Jan broke barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry when she started Personnel Placement in the 1970’s. Jan carved out a place for women throughout Alamance County while helping thousands of good candidates find careers with great companies while hundreds of well-respected companies found the perfect match for their organization. Being a staffing matchmaker was her calling and she thrived in that environment.

For decades she was a local business leader and community volunteer, serving numerous charities and board positions throughout the years. When success reached her personal plateau, she was able to merge her dream with six other companies to form the nationally known Staffmark. She continued on as a consultant and speaker at National conventions.

Throughout her life, Jan was known for her dedication to family, commitment to her staffing company and her employees and the love of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Jan was always a source of support, offering hugs and smiles that encouraged us to be our best. She was our champion, always rooting for our success, no matter the path. Her gift to everyone was her positivity and love.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Kendall McBride and Lucille Curtis Rich, her husband, Cleon Currie and her nephew Travis Rich Kovaleski.

She is survived by her daughters, Tracy Anne Blethen and Christen Kimberly Blethen, her grandchildren Taylor McBride Kivett, Michael “Alex”endar Kivett and Samantha Annaleigh Kivett. Her sister, Sue Rich Kovaleski and her niece Katherine Suzanne Kovaleski, as well as countless friends whose lives were enriched by her presence.

A service to honor and celebrate Janice’s life will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Reid Dickens. A visitation will follow the service in the chapel where friends and family are invited to share memories and pay their respects.

In lieu of flowers, the donations can be made to the Providence Memorial Association at PO Box 32, Graham, NC 27253 or to AuthoraCare Collective (Hospice) of Alamance – Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215.

Janice will be dearly missed and forever remembered for her beauty in heart and soul as well as her lifelong quest for enlightenment. She has left behind a legacy of love and light that has touched so many.

May she rest in peace.

To watch the service online and to sign condolences, please visit www.lowefuneralhome.com.