Janice H. Waters-Smedley passed away on March 8, 2024, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, at the age of 76 in her home. Born on August 17, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Elmo Daniel Waters, Sr. and late Ellon L. Waters (née Bowers), Janice was a devoted loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

Janice was an avid traveler, visiting several countries. In her younger years, she travelled to Togo, West Africa, to visit her newly married sister. She had fond memories and returned to the United States, recounting numerous stories about her experiences in Togo.

She was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness and pioneer until her prolonged illness and limited mobility made it impossible to continue pioneering. She continued to attend the Kingdom Hall until this was also physically impossible. Until her last days, she continued to pray daily. She listened weekly from her bed to the Jehovah’s Witness broadcast bible study and services when she no longer could physically accomplish the task of getting out of bed.

Janice graduated from John Hay High School in 1965. She started out working in a doctor’s office. Janice later began a career with the federal government. She obtained a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Education from Cleveland State University. Janice retired in 1996 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where she worked as an administrator. Previously, she worked at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital on Wade Park, Cleveland, Ohio, as an administrator with Human Resources. After retiring from NASA, Janice taught part-time at Cuyahoga Community College as an English instructor and focused on her pioneering. Due to her decreasing mobility, she stopped working and concentrated full-time on pioneering until her failing health prevented her from doing this as well. In addition to sharing her faith, Janice devoted her life to the love and guidance of her two beloved sons, Danyl (Danny) and Daryon. She could always light up the room with her big personality and infectious laugh. Janice enjoyed outings such as shopping, dining out, and attending family gatherings. Once she could not continue these activities, she welcomed visits from her family and friends. Throughout her illness, she continued to keep a positive attitude. We will all remember her faith and strength during her lifetime. Janice will always be missed and remembered for these exceptional qualities.

One of her favorite bible verses, which she had framed in her home, directly speaks to her belief:

“Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, FAITH, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, 23).

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, sister Joyce Addie Johnson, and her son Danyl (Danny) Smedley.

Janice is survived by her son, Daryon Smedley, his fiancée Chantal Dawson, her granddaughters Lauryn Smedley (late Danyl Smedley), and Lovely Smedley (Daryon Smedley and Chantal Dawson), her sons’ older brother, Joe Smedley, Jr., sisters Dr. Ellon Waters-Dedo (Kodzo), Mary Waters, Alice Waters, and brother, Elmo Waters, Jr. (Catherine), nieces, Ellon N. T. Waters, Talia Dyer, Delali Dedo, Wolali Dedo, Sika Dedo, Arica Waters, Joyce Monique Waters, Shavonne Waters, Jess Waters, and nephews Mawuli Dedo, Clifton Waters, Elmo Waters III (Trey), Shawn Waters, and a host of cousins and friends.