Elinor Janney

Obituary

Elinor Brantley Janney, age 100, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 3, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. She was born on December 8, 1925, in Ware County, Georgia, to John and Pearl Brantley.

Elinor was preceded in death by her loving husband, Alfred Carlton Janney, whom she married in 1947. She is survived and deeply missed by her two sons, John Carlton Janney and David Alan Janney; her sister, Betty Wohlers; eight grandchildren—Beth Love, Stephanie Wells, Dustin Janney, Diana Beacham, Denille Brownlee, Derek Janney, Cameron Janney (deceased), and Amber Zevallos; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was affectionately known as “Grandma” to her grandchildren and “GGma” to her great-grandchildren.

Elinor had humble beginnings and accepted Christ as her Savior as a teenager at Beaver Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. She later attended Barry University in Miami.

After serving as a pastor’s wife at Landmark Baptist Temple in Cincinnati, Ohio, Elinor and her family moved to Miami, Florida, in 1954 to establish New Testament Baptist Church. The church began with 35 charter members and, within ten years, grew to a congregation of more than 2,000. The church later relocated to a 75-acre property in northern Dade County, adjacent to a major expressway.

The Janneys also founded Shady Grove Youth Camp, later renamed The Summit, where thousands of young people surrendered their lives to Christ over more than 30 years of ministry.

After 23 years as pastor’s wife of New Testament Baptist Church, Elinor and Dr. Janney moved to Washington, D.C., where he served as an influential lobbyist for Christian education. During this time, they had the opportunity to meet presidents, foreign leaders, and dignitaries.

In October 1981, Elinor faithfully stood beside her husband as he became pastor of Jacksonville Baptist Temple, formerly known as Beaver Street Baptist Church—the very church where both had given their lives to Christ years earlier.

Elinor spent her remaining years in Orlando, Florida, living close to family until her passing.

A funeral service will be held on January 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Orlando Baptist Church, 500 South Semoran Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32807. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to World Hope, Elinor Janney’s favorite missions organization, either online at www.WeAreWorldHope.com or by mail to World Hope.