The Janey Thompson obituary Charlotte NC community members searched for tells the heartbreaking story of Jane McAdams “Janey” Thompson, a talented student, athlete and loyal friend. According to her family’s official obituary, Janey died on April 9, 2024, at age 20 after complications from a blood clot in her leg that traveled to her heart. She left behind a loving family, many close friends and communities at Wake Forest University and Myers Park High School that continue to remember her energy, kindness and joyful personality.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jane McAdams Thompson |
| Common name | Janey Thompson |
| Date of birth | October 19, 2003 |
| Date of death | April 9, 2024 |
| Age | 20 years old |
| Birthplace | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Parents | Bo Thompson and Scottie Thompson |
| Brother | Hank Thompson |
| High school | Myers Park High School |
| Graduation year | 2022 |
| University | Wake Forest University |
| Major | Biophysics |
| Career interest | Pre-dental path |
| Sorority | Delta Delta Delta |
| Main sports | Basketball and softball |
| Cause of death | Complications from a blood clot |
| Memorial service | April 13, 2024 |
| Memorial location | Myers Park United Methodist Church |
Who Was Janey Thompson?
Janey Thompson was a 20-year-old college student from Charlotte, North Carolina.
She was born on October 19, 2003, and grew up in a family that remained deeply connected to the Charlotte community. Her parents were Bo and Scottie Thompson, and she shared a particularly close relationship with her brother, Hank.
Her obituary lovingly described Hank as her “built-in best friend.”
Janey was also the daughter of Bo Thompson, a longtime Charlotte radio personality known for his work at WBT. However, she built her own identity through academics, sports, music, friendship and service.
People who knew Janey remembered her as bright, funny, thoughtful and full of energy. She could succeed in difficult science courses while also finding time for basketball, radio, sorority life and meaningful friendships.
What Happened to Janey Thompson?
Janey died on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Her official obituary explained that she suffered complications from a blood clot in her leg. The clot traveled to her heart on April 3, and she died six days later.
Wake Forest University also confirmed that Janey died after complications from a blood clot. The university announced her passing to students, employees and faculty members and opened campus spaces where people could gather, grieve and support one another.
Because this was a deeply painful medical emergency, it is important not to add guesses about her health.
Reliable sources confirm what the family chose to share. They do not provide a complete private medical history, and respectful articles should not try to create one.
Janey Thompson’s Parents and Brother
Janey was the daughter of Bo and Scottie Thompson.
Bo Thompson is known in Charlotte as a WBT morning radio host. After losing his daughter, he stepped away from broadcasting before returning to the station on April 16, 2024.
During his emotional return, Bo explained that he wanted to live in a way that would make Janey proud.
He also spoke about Janey’s habit of describing people as “super nice.” Bo said her kindness helped him notice that there are more good people in the world than many of us realise.
Janey’s younger brother, Hank, held a very important place in her life.
Her obituary said she loved doing almost anything with him. That included spending time at home and shooting basketballs in the backyard with Hank and their father.
The closeness between Janey and Hank was not presented as a small detail. Her family described him as her automatic best friend, showing how deeply the siblings were connected.
Janey’s Childhood in Charlotte
Janey was born and raised in Charlotte.
She attended local schools and became part of several Charlotte communities through sports, music, church, summer work and family relationships.
Even as her academic life later took her to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, Charlotte remained home.
She loved spending time at Lake Wylie and Ocean Isle Beach. She enjoyed walking with her mother, playing basketball at home and driving her old Honda Pilot, which she called “Big Red.”
The vehicle lacked modern technology, but that appeared to be part of what made Janey love it.
These simple details helped friends and relatives remember her as a real person rather than only as the subject of a tragic news story.
Her Years at Myers Park High School
Janey graduated from Myers Park High School in 2022.
She was a highly involved student who balanced academics, music and athletics.
Janey played the clarinet in both the wind ensemble and jazz band. At the same time, she became a four-year member of the school’s varsity basketball and softball teams.
Her basketball achievements included:
- Earning all-conference recognition
- Serving as a team captain
- Receiving the Female Athlete of the Year award in 2022
Although awards showed her ability, the official obituary explained that Janey valued the friendships surrounding sports just as much as winning.
Some of her favourite moments involved sitting in the locker room with teammates and travelling together on the team bus.
Was Janey Thompson a Talented Athlete?
Yes. Sports formed a major part of Janey’s life.
At Myers Park, she played varsity basketball and softball throughout high school. Later, she continued playing basketball at Wake Forest through the women’s club team.
Janey also played intramural sports at the university.
In November 2023, she tore her ACL and meniscus while competing in an intramural flag football championship. The injury forced her to stop playing basketball for a period.
However, Janey did not walk away from the team.
Instead, she moved into coaching. Friends remembered her sitting on the floor, studying basketball games and creating detailed practice plans. She remained involved even when she could no longer participate in the same way physically.
Her response to the injury showed determination.
Rather than focusing only on what she had lost, Janey found another way to help her teammates.
Janey’s Wake Forest University Education
Janey was a sophomore at Wake Forest University when she died.
She studied biophysics, a demanding field that brings together ideas from biology, physics, mathematics and medicine.
Janey attended Wake Forest with a physics scholarship and earned a place on the dean’s list during every semester she completed.
A later university tribute identified her as a Randall D. Ledford Physics Scholar. She was also following a pre-dental path and took part in a pre-dental health professional society.
Her academic record showed both talent and discipline.
Science courses can require long hours of study, yet Janey also participated fully in university life. She did not treat college as a place where she only attended class and returned to her room.
She built friendships, supported sports teams and became involved in several organisations.
Her Life at Wake Forest
Janey quickly became a familiar and loved person at Wake Forest.
She joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority, commonly known as Tri Delta. She also volunteered with Wake Radio and hosted a Friday programme.
Sports remained one of her strongest interests.
Janey attended as many Wake Forest football, basketball and baseball games as possible. She often arrived long before a game began and stayed until it ended.
At men’s basketball games, she could often be found near the front because she had arrived hours early to secure her place.
Still, her favourite university memories were not limited to major events.
She enjoyed spending time with friends in her residence hall, exercising at the recreation centre and taking long walks through Reynolda Gardens while getting coffee.
Those ordinary moments became especially meaningful to the people who shared them with her.
How Janey Supported New Students
One of the clearest examples of Janey’s character involved a younger Wake Forest student named Sadie Scott.
Before Scott began her first year, Janey contacted her and offered support. The two met over coffee, where Janey answered questions about classes, homesickness, friendships and university sports.
Janey continued helping after the semester began.
She looked over Scott’s schedule, shared meals with her and became someone Scott could call during emotional moments.
Scott later said Janey changed the direction of her college experience. She also tried to follow Janey’s example by making sure newer students had someone they could trust.
This story shows that Janey’s influence did not always come through large public actions.
Sometimes it came through a message, a meal or the simple decision to listen.
Why Her Friends Remembered Her So Strongly
Friends remembered Janey as someone who understood what another person needed.
When a friend wanted to talk, Janey listened.
When someone did not want to explain every feeling, she could still offer quiet support.
One Wake Forest friend remembered a difficult evening when Janey arrived with a cookie and a sparkling drink. She did not demand a long conversation. Instead, she left the treats, expressed love and said she would be nearby whenever her friend felt ready.
That small act gave her friend comfort and relief.
Janey also remembered the things people liked.
After a friend admired one of her rings, Janey bought a matching one as a gift. When someone needed transportation to the airport, she offered a ride in Big Red.
Her care was practical, personal and consistent.
Janey Thompson’s Personality and Favourite Things
The official obituary described Janey as a loyal friend who carried fun wherever she went.
She had a strong sense of humour and enjoyed giving carefully chosen gifts.
Despite her academic, musical and athletic talents, she remained humble.
Janey enjoyed:
- Puzzles
- Trivia and board games
- Card games
- Cornhole
- Books
- Coffee
- Diet Coke
- Music from many genres
- Fashionable sneakers
- Affordable jewellery
- Long walks
- Time at the beach and lake
- Basketball with her family
- Spending time with friends
She loved competition, but her life was not only about winning.
The people around her mattered most.
Her Summer Work as a Lifeguard
Janey worked as a lifeguard for five summers at the Myers Park Country Club.
She did more than complete the basic requirements of the job.
Her obituary said she made it her personal mission to become the favourite lifeguard of the young children at the club.
That goal fits the way friends described her.
Janey wanted people around her to feel noticed, safe and happy. Whether she was guiding a new college student or talking to a child beside a swimming pool, she brought the same warm energy.
How Wake Forest Responded to Her Death
Wake Forest University announced Janey’s death on the same day she passed away.
University leaders expressed sympathy to her relatives, friends, classmates, professors and staff members.
Davis Chapel opened that evening. Another gathering space opened the following day so members of the university community could remember Janey and receive support from chaplains and counsellors.
The university described her death as a loss for the entire Wake Forest community.
Months later, the student newspaper published an extended feature about her life.
The article focused not only on the activities she joined but also on the personal attention she gave to people. Friends described her as a listener, supporter, teammate and guide whose influence continued after her death.
Bo Thompson’s Tribute to His Daughter
Bo Thompson returned to his WBT programme one week after Janey’s death.
The broadcast became a deeply personal tribute.
He played music from Janey’s Spotify playlist and songs connected with childhood memories. One song reminded him of a school talent show where Janey surprised him by singing and playing piano.
Bo said his life would now involve trying to act in ways Janey would respect.
He also thanked the many people who had supported the Thompson family, including coworkers, community members and emergency workers.
The programme ended with Bo expressing his love for his “Janey bug.”
When and Where Was Janey Thompson’s Memorial?
A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte.
A reception followed in Jubilee Hall.
Janey’s family invited former teammates to wear their jerseys. That request reflected the important role teams and sports friendships played in her life.
The family suggested memorial donations to two organisations:
- The Myers Park High School Mustang Club
- The Wake Forest Women’s Club Basketball team
These choices allowed people to honour Janey by supporting the schools, sports programmes and teammates she cared about.
The Importance of Using Reliable Obituary Sources
The phrase Janey Thompson obituary Charlotte NC became widely searched after her death.
Sadly, several low-quality websites later published inaccurate stories about her.
Some pages wrongly described Janey as an older teacher, gave her imaginary siblings or invented hobbies and career achievements that did not belong to her.
The most reliable information comes from:
- Her family-approved funeral-home obituary
- Wake Forest University
- The Wake Forest student newspaper
- Established Charlotte news organisations
- Public statements from her father and WBT
The official record shows that Janey was a 20-year-old student, not the unrelated person described by copied online articles.
What Legacy Did Janey Thompson Leave?
Janey’s life was short, but its effect was wide.
She left a legacy through academic effort, athletic leadership and everyday kindness.
At Myers Park, she showed that one student could succeed in music and multiple varsity sports.
At Wake Forest, she became a serious science student, basketball player, coach, radio volunteer, sorority member and devoted sports supporter.
Yet her strongest legacy may be the way she treated individuals.
She listened carefully. She remembered details. She gave thoughtful gifts. She checked on people and offered help before being asked.
Friends later said they wanted to become for others what Janey had been for them.
That may be one of the most meaningful ways a person continues to influence the world.
Final Thoughts
The Janey Thompson obituary Charlotte NC readers find through reliable sources remembers a young woman whose life included far more than the tragedy of her death.
Jane McAdams Thompson was born in Charlotte on October 19, 2003.
She became a talented basketball and softball player at Myers Park High School, where she also played clarinet and earned the Female Athlete of the Year award.
At Wake Forest University, Janey studied biophysics on a physics scholarship and remained on the dean’s list. She joined Tri Delta, volunteered at Wake Radio, played and coached club basketball and supported Demon Deacon teams with remarkable energy.
Janey died on April 9, 2024, after complications from a blood clot. She was only 20 years old.
Her parents, Bo and Scottie, her brother Hank and her large community of friends experienced an unimaginable loss.
Still, the stories shared afterward reveal why Janey remains so deeply loved.
She made new students feel less alone. She noticed when friends needed support. She turned ordinary moments into lasting memories.
Janey’s legacy lives through the people who now try to offer others the same kindness she gave so naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Janey Thompson from Charlotte, NC?
Janey Thompson was a Charlotte native, Myers Park High School graduate and Wake Forest University biophysics student. She was also an athlete, coach, radio volunteer and member of Delta Delta Delta.
What was Janey Thompson’s full name?
Her full name was Jane McAdams Thompson.
When was Janey Thompson born?
She was born on October 19, 2003.
When did Janey Thompson die?
She died on April 9, 2024.
How old was Janey Thompson?
She was 20 years old.
What was Janey Thompson’s cause of death?
Her family said she died from complications of a blood clot in her leg that traveled to her heart.
Who were Janey Thompson’s parents?
Her parents are Charlotte radio host Bo Thompson and Scottie Thompson.
Did Janey Thompson have siblings?
Yes. She had a brother named Hank, whom her obituary described as her built-in best friend.
Where did Janey attend high school?
She attended Myers Park High School and graduated in 2022.
Which sports did Janey play?
She played varsity basketball and softball in high school. At Wake Forest, she participated in club basketball and intramural sports.
What did Janey study at Wake Forest?
She studied biophysics and followed a pre-dental path.
Was Janey Thompson on a scholarship?
Yes. Her obituary said she attended Wake Forest on a physics scholarship. A campus tribute identified her as a Randall D. Ledford Physics Scholar.
Was Janey a member of a sorority?
Yes. She belonged to Delta Delta Delta, also known as Tri Delta.
Where was Janey Thompson’s memorial held?
Her memorial took place at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte on April 13, 2024.
How can people honour Janey’s memory?
Her family suggested supporting the Myers Park High School Mustang Club or the Wake Forest Women’s Club Basketball team. More broadly, friends remembered Janey by trying to treat others with the same care and kindness she showed.
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