Janice Dean Tyler
Janice Dean Tyler, 77, passed away peacefully at home on April 13, 2026, in Alabaster, Alabama.
Born October 5, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama, Janice was preceded in death by her sisters, Carole Tyler Crumpton (Wayne) and Lt. Col. Jacqueline Tyler, U.S. Army Reserves; her father, James Hubert Tyler; and her mother, Hellon Champion Tyler.
She is survived by her nephews, Jeffrey Paul Crumpton (Ashley) and Clayton James Crumpton; her great-nieces and nephew, Brittany Crumpton Osgood (Nathan), Caroline Henley Crumpton, Lana Tyler Crumpton, and Matthew Paul Crumpton. They were as close as children and grandchildren to her, and she loved them all so deeply.
Janice graduated from Minor High School in 1966 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1972. Shortly thereafter, she graduated from the Birmingham Police Academy in 1974. As her career advanced, she obtained her Certificate of Evidence Technician from Jefferson State Junior College in 1980.
Janice proudly served her community with the Birmingham Police Department, retiring as a Sergeant in 1986 after a long and dedicated career. She was especially proud of being the 13th female officer hired in 1972. Over the years, she served in a variety of roles within the department, including Patrol Officer, Public Relations, Crisis Management, and Evidence Technician; a position she particularly enjoyed.
She valued her friendships greatly and was known for always remembering birthdays and special moments, no matter the distance. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: watching Turner Classic Movies, old cartoons, and the occasional episode of Dateline. She loved music, flowers, and nature, especially butterflies.
Janice also had a fondness for the little comforts in life: hot chocolate, a good cup of coffee (always from the same cup), a lemon-blueberry muffin, cherry pie, and just about anything sweet. She was rarely without a warm coat or blanket, as she never cared much for the cold.
Janice was practical and frugal, and if you knew her, you knew she didn’t mince words or sugarcoat anything. She loved her family fiercely and adored her pets, especially her rescue dachshund, Josie, and her Jack Russell Terrier mix, Marley. She had a deep love for animals and spent years supporting local rescues, helping save more dogs than can be counted.
A memorial service will be held on April 23rd at Charter Funeral Home, 2521 US-31, Calera, AL 35040. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM, with the service to follow at 2:30 PM. A private graveside service will be held for immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Full Circle Rescue and Sanctuary:
https://www.fullcirclerescueandsanctuary.com/
Janice will be remembered for her strength, her honesty, and a life lived exactly on her own terms.