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Janice Josey was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother (and soon to be great-grandmother), aunt, and beloved sister. She was the heart within our family.

" A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." – Maya Angelou

It all started in Des Moines, Iowa, March 28th, 1946. Born to Lewis Tennis Gray and Velma Mae Gray, Janice was the 3rd of 7 children. Growing up in Atlantic, Iowa, she graduated from Atlantic High School where she lettered in music, and moved to Washington D.C. where she met her husband Guy Josey. They were married February 24th, 1969.

After having spent over four decades working at the Department of Commerce and serving under various Commerce Secretaries, most notably Ron Brown, with distinction, she retired in 2011 to a gratefully quiet life.

Janice loved meeting new people, she had an incurable curiosity to learn new things and until her passing, was an amazing nearly-unbeatable Trivia player. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, exchanging pen pal letters, dining out, watching movie classics, listening to older R&B music, reading, traveling and going to the casinos when she could.

Janice went home to be with the Lord November 12th, 2022. She leaves behind her husband of 55 years Guy Josey, her sons Guy Lamont and Derick (Kathie), several grandchildren: Noah, Kira, Christina, Xavier and Gabriel, along with a great-grandson that will be born in December.

Janice also leaves behind her brother and 3 sisters: Dale (Chung A), Connie Gray, Shirley Gray, and Crystal Smith. Her nieces and nephews: Brandie Gray, Marie "Ginger" Martin (Charles) Ryan Gray (Ebony), Victoria Perez (Junior), and Ashley Grout (Jon)

As well as her family and siblings, Janice is survived by a large extended family: several great nephews and nieces, her great-uncle Stonewall Bishop (Dixie), great-aunt Julia Lee Bishop, and several cousins: Ward Walker Jr., Eileen Pankey (Anthony), Merle Walker (Meltia), Denise Walker, Pamela Stennis, (Robert), Gary Walker, and Kelly Sutton (Damon).

She leaves behind many devoted friends, scattered through out  the United States.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Violet Jackson and Nancy Gray.

" For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come." Song of Solomon, 2:11-12

There will be a closed Celebration of Life held at Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg on November 30 ^th followed by a small reception.

Since Janice loved flowers, those are certainly welcome otherwise, please make donation to your favorite charity.