Janice M. Pierce

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, Janice Munford Pierce was peacefully called from labor to reward. Janice was the second of three children born on April 6,1933 to Carrie and Burke Munford. Although she lost her father at an early age, Janice and her siblings never lacked for anything thanks to their grandparents, Thomas and Rosa Mason. The importance of education was deeply instilled to everyone in the Munford household. With that said, Janice graduated Salutatorian of her class at Norfolk County High School in 1949, furthered her studies at Norfolk State then graduated ‘high above the Appomattox’ from Virginia State College with a degree in elementary education. While attending Virginia State, Janice was drawn to a group of phenomenal women whose focus was academic excellence and in 1952, she became a member of the Alpha Eta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Upon returning to Portsmouth after graduating, Janice joined the Portsmouth Alumnae Chapter where she served as President from 1962-1964. June 1965, Janice married Christopher Columbus Pierce and to this union two beautiful daughters were born Natalae and Crystal. Teaching was a passion for Janice and the love she had for her students showed starting with her early days at Southwestern Elementary in Chesapeake to Hodges Manor Elementary in Portsmouth to her last stop at Harry Hunt Junior High. After thirty-three years, Janice decided to retire and shift her focus to working in the church. Early in life, Janice learned the importance of Jesus Christ and that we are to reverence Him as Lord and Savior. She grew up in Grove Baptist Church (Portsmouth) and served in many ministries. She taught Sunday School, VBS, sang in the Senior choir and served as the Sunday School pianist. Upon joining St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in 2002, Janice sang with the United Voices, played for the noon day bible study and served as chairperson for the Senior Missionary ministry. Janice was predeceased by her parents, Carrie and Burke Munford; her brother, Burke Munford; her sister, Carolyn Munford Harris; her brother-in-law, John O. Harris, Sr and her nephew, J. Otis Harris, Jr. Remaining to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are daughters, Natalae Askew and Crystal Pierce-Lyon; grandson, Anthony Moody; granddaughter, Cara Pierce; nieces, great nieces, great nephew and a host of family and friends.

Janice M. Pierce

April 6, 1933 - August 17, 2024