Janice Dean Pierce Jones was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina on December 16, 1941 to the late Lessie Melton Pierce and the late William Everett Pierce. She grew up on a farm and came from a large family; she had nineteen brothers and sisters.

Janice joined the Newsome Grove Baptist Church at an early age, sang in the Junior Choir, and served as the recording secretary for the Junior Church. She was educated in the Hertford County Public School system in North Carolina and graduated from Robert L. Vann High School with honors. In 1959, she became a student at Elizabeth City State College. Originally, she wanted to enter a nursing program but after being awarded a full scholarship to attend Elizabeth City State, she decided to pursue a teaching career and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in English, with honors in 1963. Upon graduating, she returned to Ahoskie to begin teaching at her alma mater.

During high school and college, Janice was active in her school communities. A talented musician and performer, she played many musical instruments, including the clarinet, flute, saxophone, and oboe. She played basketball, was involved in the drama and clubs, and had leading roles in numerous theater productions including Our Town and The Heiress.

Janice met her late husband, Maurice Jones, Sr. on July 13, 1966. It was love at first sight and he was her "knight in shining armor!" They married just six days later on July 19th and shared thirty-three wonderful years together. She loved everything about Maurice, his "cutting up," his devotion to his sons, and most of all, she loved dancing with him, especially on New Year's Eve. After marrying, she relocated to Washington, DC with her husband to continue her teaching career. While working full-time and caring for her family, she went on to earn three Masters degrees in English, Special Education, and Counseling.

Janice was a gifted educator and had a unique approach to connecting with her high school students. Her students would likely describe her as one of the toughest teachers they'd ever had while also one of the most caring and committed. She taught English and Humanistic Studies for thirty-four years in the DC public school system. She retired from the public school system in 2000, but soon returned to teaching English at IDEA Public Charter School where she remained for six years.

Janice was a loving wife and mother. She and Maurice had two sons, Kaaba and DiJon.  Kaaba was born in 1967; he was a very loving son. Five years later, a second son, DiJon was born. He, too, was a loving bundle of joy. Janice wrapped herself around her children and husband. They spent their summers together driving up and down the eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida - traveling with them brought her immeasurable joy. She also enjoyed visiting her siblings, mother, father, and friends.

Janice's hobbies included traveling, reading, and attending the theater. Her favorite works were Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Julius Caesar, and The Odyssey. She was also an amazing cook! Friends and family looked forward to being fed by her and she has passed on her love of cooking and many 'secret' recipes to her granddaughters.

After her husband's death in 1999, her greatest desire was to continue spending time with her sons, their spouses, and later on, her grandchildren. Janice moved to Virginia in 2002 with her son, DiJon, and his family. After her granddaughters were born, Janice became a devoted grandmother. Known to all as "Grammy," she was attentive and involved, helping with homework, regularly attending her granddaughters' school events and performances, and even making a few classroom appearances over the years! For several summers, she hosted summer school for her granddaughters and their best friends, cultivating opportunities for English lessons, poetry recitation, and lots of fun. She spent endless hours telling the girls and their friends stories of her childhood, freely offering advice, and imparting many lessons that they will carry with them into adulthood.

Janice leaves to mourn and cherish in loving memory her son, Kaaba Jones; his wife, Bettina; their grandchildren, Jamieson and Johnny; her son, DiJon Jones; his wife, Maria; and their daughters, Kameron, Maddy, and Bella. Janice had nineteen siblings and is survived by her three sisters, Vernelle, Cindy, and Alma, and many nieces and nephews.

Janice was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, auntie, teacher, and friend. We are blessed to have been loved by her and will miss her dearly.