On November 11, 1952, the Lord God Almighty blessed Bennie and Bettye Ford with their second child, Janice Marie. Janice Marie brought joy to the young couple. She was talented and creative and could sing like an angel. Her creative style was ever-present in all things. From creating silk flower arrangements to home décor for the holidays, she could transform anything. She loved pink. She was a great cook, baker, and collector of beautiful things.
Janice Marie was brought up in the church along with her other siblings. She accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of Greater St. John AME Church, Chicago, IL. As a child and young adult, Janice Marie was a member of the YPD, Jr. Usher Board, Youth Choir, and David E. Readye, Community Choir. Janice Marie was known for her soprano voice, and she led the song “Climbing Up the Mountain.” On June 27, 1970, God joined Edward Barnes and Janice Marie in holy matrimony. To God be the Glory; they had been married for 51 years.
To this union God blessed the couple with three beautiful children; Jewel Denee, Trinette Sherri, and Edward Vincent II. Through Edward Vincent, Janice Marie received the title of “Nana” as he blessed her with three beautiful grandchildren. Just as she brought pride and joy to Bennie and Bettye, Janice was extremely proud of her children and her grandchildren. She always shared pictures and funny stories to make sure the family remained connected. In 1981, the Barnes family set out on an adventure and moved from the cold winters of Chicago to sunny California. The family became members of First AME Church. Janice Marie sang in the choir and Edward Sr was part of the Usher Board.
In California, Janice Marie began her 20-year career in property management. She moved from property management to working for LA County, Department of Housing where she served as a Housing Contract Specialist, assisting the disenfranchised with their housing needs. In both career paths, Janice Marie made lifelong friendships. In 2017, Janice Marie retired from LA County. She devoted her life to taking care of her husband until he went home to be with the Lord, in August of 2020.
In February 2021, Janice Marie was diagnosed with breast cancer. With complete faith and trust in God, Janice Marie put up a valiant fight for her life. God saw her faith and her struggle and on October 17, 2023, He called her home. Well done my good and faithful servant; “You Finally Reached the Top”. Preceded in death were her parents, Bennie and Bettye Ford, sisters, Rosalind Louise and Penelope, her husband of 51 years, Edward Sr.
She leaves to mourn her death and continue her legacy, her children; Jewel Denee, Trinette Sherri, Edward Vincent II (Cassandra); grandchildren, Quincy, Kalil, and Nayla. Her siblings, Ricky (Lyn), Steven (Glenn), Bernadine, Bernadette, Kenneth, Jacqueline, Louis, and TeShora. Two godchildren, James Hart and Jatima Cross along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.