Janice Pledge, 79, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Mercy Medical Center.

Janice was born July 12, 1941 in Kentucky. She taught school for more than 30 years with the Jackson Madison County School System, in Jackson, Tennessee. She leaves a legacy of hundreds of students of whom she kept contact and formed long time friendships with many of them.

Janice is survived by her husband of over 54 years, Albert Cherry Pledge; her daughter Cheryl (Erik) Pledge Kardell of Van Horne; her son Jeremy Pledge of Cincinnati, Ohio; her granddaughter Norah Kardell of Van Horne; brothers Kent (Carlie) Elrod of Humboldt, Tennessee and Ronald Elrod of Knoxville, Tennessee; many cousins, nieces, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sadie and Herbert Elrod, brother Samuel Elrod, daughter Lela Pledge.

Memorials may be directed to your local animal shelter, homeless shelter or better yet, choose a public school teacher or school and make a donation in her name.

The family is not having a service at this time due to gathering restrictions both in Iowa and Tennessee.  A memorial will be planned in Jackson, Tennessee in July around what would have been her 80 ^th Birthday.  Details TBD.