COLEMAN, JANICE HAWKINS (AGE 84) OF TEMPLE HILLS, MARYLAND

Janice LaVerne Coleman was born September 6, 1936, to the late William and Marion Hawkins in Washington, D.C.

She was raised in North Brentwood, MD, where she attended Brentwood Elementary School, and was a member of A.M.E. Zion Methodist Church.  She attended Shaw Jr. High School.  She often reminisced about walking to Mount Rainier to save seven cents, on the bus, to get to school.  She attended Cardoza High School through the 11 ^th grade, later transferring to Fairmont Heights High School, where she graduated in 1955.

Upon graduating, she attended Johnson's Business School.  When she decided that she no longer wanted to attend business school her mother told her she would have to get a job.  She applied to Pepco and was one of the first "colored" cashiers.  Her work was so valued that the President asked her if she knew anyone she could recommend, as they wanted to hire another colored cashier.

She had various governmental jobs and eventually began working at DC General Hospital in various positions, eventually retiring as a Safety Technician in 1994.

She met and married Walter Coleman and they had four children.  She later remarried Floyd James.  This marriage ended in divorce.

Her family affectionately called her "Jazzy Jan" and "Jan Jan."  She loved and was devoted to her family.  She enjoyed cooking and would insist you eat something when you came to visit.  All her children are great cooks thanks to her excellent teaching skills.  She enjoyed playing Pokeno, Bid Whist, and Bingo.  She was a favorite Bingo caller at her senior living community.

Throughout her life, she helped many people.  Some people said that she saved their lives, due to her efforts of helping them find the right resources or just providing tough love.  She was feisty and driven.  She was a determined individual that took care of business.  She was well loved by those who worked with her and with the medical staff that took care of her when she became ill.  They all said she was funny, had a positive spirit that encouraged them.

In February 2020, Janice was preceded in death, by her daughter Tonya Coleman-Fannin, (Sam), which broke her heart.  She would often call aloud, "My Toni, My Toni."  She was also preceded in death by her sisters Marion "Patsy" Fitzhugh, Rosalind McCormick, and her brother William Hawkins.  She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Michelle Coleman, Tracey Coleman and Walter Coleman, Jr.; her other daughter, goddaughter Faye Prioleau (Joe), and stepdaughter Renee King (Tony); grandchildren, Tyrone Coleman, Jade Coleman-Patton (Alex), Tyiesha Coleman, Brandon Lee, Tyrell Coleman, and Taylor Coleman; great-grandchildren, Tyrone Coleman, Jr., Ayarri Walker, Brielle Coleman, Asa Patton, and Tegan Coleman; great-niece Jamia Chesley whom she raised, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Her viewing will be held from 9:00am until time of service 10:00am on Saturday, February 20, 2021 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Maryland.