Janice Watts Kellen

Janice “Jan” Watts Kellen passed away on April 16, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer at UNC Rex Hospital at the age of 79.

Jan was born on February 6, 1947, in Greensboro, NC and grew up in Charlotte. She was the daughter of the late Claude Allen Watts and Patricia Malone Watts. Jan graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte and received her teaching degree from High Point College where she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She taught elementary school in NC for many years including Apex Elementary. She switched careers and worked for (and retired from) Amica Mutual Insurance. She was a resident of Cary, NC for over 40 years.

Jan’s children and grandchildren always knew how much they were loved! She had a passion for cooking and baking. Her delicious pies, cakes and cookies will be missed! She loved her pets, especially her black cat Molly.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristin “Kristi” Kellen Johnson and husband Clint of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Kellen Johnson, Claire Johnson, Olivia Kellen and Martin Solesky; Sister, Bonnie Winecoff; Brother, Kerry Watts; Nieces and Nephews, Carrie Shevelson, Amy Stephenson, Jenny Alexander, Josh Kellen; brother-in-law, Steve Kellen; and daughter-in-law, Erin Solesky.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband Peter Walter Kellen (2025), her two sons, Stephen Michael “Mike” Kellen (2004) and David Jonathan Kellen (2004).

A special thank you to Sheryl Greer from HomeWatch CareGivers, Woodland Terrace Senior Living Facility and all the doctors, nurses and medical staff who helped care for Jan over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the SPCA of Wake County spcawake.org or SPCA Wake 200 Petfinder Lane Raleigh, NC 27603.

A visitation will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, located at 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511, April 23, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Funeral Service will also take place at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, on April 24, 2026, at 11:00 am.

A Committal Service will follow at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Rd, Cary, NC 27519, at 12:30 pm.