Jane Ryan Eleazer Boyette O’Connor
Jane Ryan Eleazer Boyette O’Connor, lovingly known as “Janie,” was born on October 2, 1952, to Dr. and Mrs. Ray Eleazer. Janie passed away on May 13, 2026. She was raised in Waycross, Georgia, and graduated from Waycross High School before continuing her education at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia where she earned a baccalaureate degree.
Janie worked and raised her children in Moultrie, Georgia. In 1991, she met the love of her life, Wayne Thomas Boyette, and they were married in 1993. At that time, Janie and her daughter, Anna Nash, moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where she remained until 2020.
Janie and Wayne cherished time spent at their farm in Laurel Hill, their river house on the Choctawhatchee River, and their condo on Okaloosa Island. Together they enjoyed traveling the world and creating lasting memories with family and friends.
After Wayne’s passing, Janie moved to Greenville, South Carolina, where she was blessed to meet and marry her husband, Jim O’Connor. Janie and Jim also shared a love for exploration and adventure together.
Faith was a central part of Janie’s life. Wherever she lived, she was deeply active in her church community. She served faithfully on the Floral Guild and found joy in creating beautiful arrangements. She was also a devoted member of the Order of the Daughters of the King and the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller (Order of Nobility). Through her documented ancestral lineage, Janie was honored to be a member of the National Huguenot Society.
Above all else, Janie treasured her family and friends. She valued every moment spent with those she loved and leaves behind a legacy of warmth, faith, hospitality, and devotion.
Janie was preceded in death by her son, Matthew Ryan Nash; her parents, Ray and Rita Eleazer; her grandmother: Colzy Caroline Heriot Ryan, and grandfather; Willis Duncan Ryan; and Wayne Boyette.
She is survived by her husband, Jim O’Connor; her son, Sam Nash (Stephanie), grandchildren, Lawton and Chap Nash, and Paisley Perry; her daughter, Anna Nash DeWeil (Kirk), grandchildren, Grayson and Caden DeWeil; her stepson, Wally Boyette (sons Bruce and Tyler Boyette); and her stepson, Ben Boyette (Danielle), grandchildren, Bradley and Brielle Boyette.
As Janie lived much of her adult life in Florida the first of two memorial services will be held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. First, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10AM, Janie’s remains will be interned into the columbarium alongside Wayne at Saint Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church. There will also be a cocktail reception held at River Oaks Clubhouse in Greer, South Carolina. Family will receive friends there on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 1-4 PM.
