Meet Janis Mangum! She was born in Barrow County and grew up in Jefferson. She lives in the Holly Springs Community of Jackson County and has been married to her husband Jerry for 39 years. She has one son and three grandchildren. Sheriff Mangum has been in law enforcement for 36 years with 33 of those years working at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. She started in 1985 as a dispatcher at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and has advanced through the years in each division of the Sheriff’s Office, working 19 years as a criminal investigator.
Sheriff Mangum cares about our community and its people as much as anyone I have met here. She has a true servant’s heart. We asked her to tell us more about herself and what she likes the most about the community in which we live.
Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “My husband Jerry and I have been married 39 years. I have a son from a previous marriage and I have three grandchildren.”
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: “I love law enforcement and have dedicated over my half of my life to this profession. I ran for Sheriff and was elected in 2012, taking office in 2013.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “I love any Mexican restaurant and Sugar and Spice is where I eat my lunch most days.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “I have lived in Jackson County my entire life, and I have spent 33 years working in Jackson County.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “I would have to say I was blessed to have known Miss Martha Jo Blackstock, who was once the principal of Jefferson High School. She was a wealth of knowledge and passed away last year at the age of 103, I believe.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I would love to go out West to all the National Parks. I got to visit Montana a few years ago, and it was absolutely beautiful.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “‘Andy Griffith’ is my favorite TV show.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “I would say to always treat people as you would want to be treated. Be kind and humble always.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I am pretty content with where I am, so I really don’t think about a bucket list. I really don’t have one.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “Crawford Long Museum.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with Ric Flair, the wrestler, and probably at Commerce Cafe.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
A: “I love Jackson County, because I feel that although we have had massive growth, but we are still a close knit community and we come together for those in need.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
A: “Hopefully retired and traveling.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I am not sure if there is anything interesting about me. I am as plain and simple as they come. I am the daughter of parents who worked over 40 years in the Jefferson Cotton Mills. They always made sure we had what we needed as we were growing up. I will never forget where I came from, although I carry the title of Sheriff.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: “Montana.”
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
A: “December is probably my favorite month because I love Christmas. It makes my heart happy to participate in our Christmas toy drive and bring smiles to the faces of many children, who may be less fortunate.”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “This precious life we are given. Even on the hardest days, there is always hope. I am blessed and humble to serve the people of Jackson County.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “My grandson who is 14.”
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: “The smell of buttercups (Jonquils), which was my daddy’s favorite flower.”
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Restful, peaceful, comfortable.”
