"Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

--2 Timothy 4:8, ESV

Janice Faye Eatmon-Stoney, the beloved daughter of the late Mr. Carl Dean and Mrs. Billie Jean Eatmon, Sr., stuck her sword in the sandy shores of time to study war no more on January 24, 2023. We can only let her speak for herself through her ministry of praise and worship, as to what this day means to her, as a faithful child of God, who now knows as she has always been known, through the eyes of pure love, in the presence of the Almighty.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."--Psalm 127:3

Born September 22, 1960, Janice is the 7th child of 10, who grew up in a close-knit family unit, loving one another, moving daily, together, as one body, for their good and God's glory.

She received her degree in Early Childhood Development from Del Mar College; and, spent a great part of her life loving and teaching the tender, young lives of Pre-K age and special needs children.

"Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."-- Genesis 2:18

Michael Vaughn Stoney met, courted and married his "good thing". To their union, the most beautiful baby girl was born, Chloe Faye Simone Stoney. God blessed them to also rear in love the sweetest little girl, An'Drea DeShea Jackson. Two sisters growing up in love, with their first cousins Kenitra and Nehemiah; and God sister and God brother, Katina and Warren, always close by, running around playing and growing together. It's a fact, where you saw Janice, children were gathered; and, ALL of them have their "Aunt Janice stories". She fully and freely, and unconditionally, loved, nurtured, supported, hugged up on, and encouraged so many children. Her heart was big and full of love to give; and, she poured her spirit and love on them all.

"I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]." --Philippians 1:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Janice served God, with devotion, fire and faithfully, from the age of 3, singing praises and directing choirs, ushering in "hallelujah" as the highest praise, wherever she was called to minister in song. She wore the nickname "church girl", as a badge of honor. Her mother recognized her gift as a wee child and would have her listen to Mahalia Jackson's songs.

She is known as "The Mahalia Jackson" of our city; and, we all have a memory of how her anointing blessed and ministered to our hearts and souls through her gift to pour God's love into us through song. She spent her whole life in praise and worship, ministering hope, uplift, compassion and encouragement to weary, worn and sad souls, many times, even as she was grieving. She lived her life loving us through song.

Sis. Stoney was a faithful, committed, devoted member of the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. She loved her church family. There, she was loyal in loving and serving God and God's people, and in supporting, as she would say "her, Pastor".

"We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work." --John 9:4

When life hailed its storms, she was always anchored by and assured, if unsure of many things, in knowing what God had called and purposed for her life. God really did make her for song. She really knew and believed her life was in God's hands. She loved the Lord with her whole heart; and, the Lord loves her. This, we know, without a shadow of doubt.

She leaves us all, as a remnant, bearing witness and testimony of her life that she lived serving, while it was day, in her family, her church, the communities across her city and the Coastal Bend, in the highways and byways of the Great state of Texas, and across this nation. Night has come. She is already missed.

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." --I Corinthians 13:12-13

She is greeted in pure love by her father and mother: Carl Dean and Billie Jean Eatmon; her sisters: Glenda Fay Duhart, Helen Jean Duhart; and, brother: Larry James Duhart; but, most of all, Jesus.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters: Chloe Faye Simone Stoney and An'Drea DeShae Jackson; her beloved sons and one daughter she shared with Micheal Stoney: Derrick (Emily) Ward, Eric Ward, and Jerri Pruitt-Matthews; two God-children: Warren Daniel Griffin and Katina Griffin; and eight grandchildren; her siblings: Patricia McNair (Earnie), Cheryl Woodard (Horace), Carolyn Eatmon, Sheila Eatmon, Rachel Eatmon-Hall (Chris), and one brother, Carl Eatmon Jr.; her lifetime friend and sister from another mother: Karen (Marlon) Griffin; her good friend: Janice Henderson; two maternal aunts and one uncle: Leona (Cookie) McCollough, Patsy Smith, and Rickey Walker; six paternal aunts and one uncle:  Arlie C. Bullard (Jimmy), Mae Lois Jenkins, Icy Lee Williams , Juanita Rischer (Leon), Benita Jackson, Helen White (Bernard); Joe Earl Eatmon (Erma); and, a set of awesome nieces and nephews who looovvved their Aunt Janice:  Guy Polk, Christopher (Michelle) Polk, Joseph Polk, Amber Polk, LaTrisha Laws-Winston, Andrew Laws, III, Eldridge McNair, William McNair, Candace Woodard, Christina (Horace) Woodard Lewis, Chelsea Woodard, Kenitra Body, Sade Eatmon, Darius Eatmon, Mykayla Eatmon, Nehemiah Coleman, Michelle Hall, Catherine Hall and Olivia Hall; as well as a host of great nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt Janice, relatives and friends.

Rest, sister. Love remains. God remains faithful.

Celebration of Life Memorial Music Services for Sis. Janice Eatmon-Stoney

Friday, February 3, 2023, 6:30pm.

St. John Baptist Church

5445 Greenwood Drive

Corpus Christi, TX 78417