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Nola Sizemore

Beginning a new career, after retiring as vice president at BB&T in Harlan following 36 years of service, Janice Napier is now in the real estate business.

“I think a part of living is being active,” said Napier. “I didn’t want to just go home and do nothing, so I decided to go to real estate school, which I did and obtained my license. I’m a sales agent with Darlene Lemarr, owner of Lemarr Realty in Harlan.”

Napier said the reason she chose to return to work in real estate is because she “likes to help people.”

“I like being around people,” said Napier. “That’s why I liked my job at the bank so well because I got to meet a lot of different people. I got to help them with their financial lives, whether it was what kind of account they needed or putting them into a home they had waited all their life to have. It’s very gratifying to me. I think any time you can help someone else, in-turn you are helping yourself.”

Napier and her husband, Wallace, who retired as principal at Evarts High School after 34 years in education, also buy and sell antique collectibles. They call their business “Reed’s Mountain Treasures.”

“Anyone who has old furniture or other antique items may call us and we’ll go out and take a look at it,” said Napier. “We just do this on the side. It keeps my husband busy. We have a little booth at a Trader’s Mall in Lexington.”

Residing in Evarts, Napier said she and her husband love to travel. They are long-time members of the Evarts Congregation United Methodist Church. She is a part of Harlan County Leadership board of directors and the Pine Mountain Development Corporation. She serves as chair of the Evarts Tourist and Convention Commission.

She is a graduate of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College and the University of Kentucky. She has a master’s degree in banking from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La.

She said the people of Harlan County “need to work together now more than ever.”

Napier added she loves Harlan County as a whole, the Clover Fork community and its people, especially her best friend Margaret Robbins.

“I hope this fall to get my auctioneer’s license,” said Napier. “Being involved in the realty business, this will help Darlene and I sell houses at auction. I hope by doing this I can enhance the business at Lemarr Realty.”

Napier chose to end her interview with a quote from Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

She said becoming a realtor was her time to branch out and do something different.

Anyone interested in selling their home or purchasing a new home may contact Napier at 606-521-2255 or 837-3625 or jnapier@windstream.net.

To reach Lemarr Realty, you may call 606-273-1766 or 573-6412.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510, ext. 115, nsizemore@civitasmedia.com