Janifer Jill (Davis) Slawson, age 72, of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 29, 2018, at North Kansas City Hospital after she lost her battle with cancer. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 6 ^th at St. Therese Catholic Church 7207 NW Highway 9, Kansas City, MO 64152, with the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 7 ^th also at the Church. Burial will follow at Leavenworth, KS, National Cemetery.

Jan was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on February 5, 1946, to the late Helen McClain Davis and Bob Davis. She was raised by her mother Helen and, later in life, stepfather Robert McClain, until his passing in 1989. Jan and her mother moved from New York to Kansas City, MO, in 1952 where Jan would reside for the next 66 years, marry Don Kendrick (1967-2011) and raise their four children Chad Kendrick, Jason Kendrick, Joshua Kendrick and Dustin Kendrick (Allison Kendrick).

Jan knew early on she had a passion for educating and touching the lives of children as she began her career at St. Matthew's Catholic School teaching third grade and eventually moving to St. Therese Catholic School teaching preschool at the Early Childhood Center for over 15 years.  During that time Jan would touch and mold many young minds where she captured the philosophy of treating each child as her own. This would hold true as she would continue to have relationships with and keep in contact with several students as they grew into adulthood often times offering a hand or advice even after retiring in 2008.

When Jan wasn't busy raising four boys and attending every football, basketball, and baseball game, she enjoyed antiquing and reading. Jan would later in life find companionship and marry Jerry Slawson from Lehigh, Iowa, in November of 2011. Her and Jerry would enjoy retired life camping, reconnecting with old high school friends and spending time with grandchildren who were the light of their lives.

Jan is survived by her husband, Jerry Slawson; and her sons, Chad Kendrick, Jason Kendrick, Joshua Kendrick, Dustin Kendrick and wife Allison; Stepsons, Scotty Slawson and wife Tracey, Jerry Slawson and wife Chanda; her grandchildren, Zachary Shaner, Sammy Kendrick, Carmelina Kendrick, Luciana Kendrick, Hazey Slawson, and Sam Slawson; siblings, Julie and husband Gene Ackerfield, Brad and wife Claire Davis, Lesleigh and husband Eric Davis, Heath, and Sam and husband Cary Rego.

Jan was a devoted wife, mother, grammy, sister, cousin, aunt and friend. She will be deeply missed as she had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that made every head turn. Her positive outlook on life was an inspiration to all and will be missed but never forgotten.

Pallbearers: Dustin Kendrick, Joshua Kendrick, Jason Kendrick, Chad Kendrick, Scotty Slawson, and Jerry Slawson.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com