Janie Powell Wagner
JANIE POWELL WAGNER passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 4, 2014 surrounded by her daughters. Mrs. Wagner was one of seven children born to the union of the late William E. Powell, Sr. and the late Viola Epps Powell.
Mrs. Wagner accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Union Chapel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend J. R. Rutledge. She continued her devotion to her faith as a member of Galilee Baptist Church.
After graduation from Central Colored High School, she attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies and Library Science. While at Southern, she served as President of the Future Teachers of America and received a grant to study Parliamentary Procedures at The American University in Washington, DC. She furthered her educational journey at Louisiana State University and Centenary College.
Mrs. Wagner followed in her father's footsteps when she went on to teach Social Studies in the Caddo Parish School System for the next 28 years. Her first assignment was Booker T. Washington High School. She was one of the first teachers to desegregate the Caddo Parish School System when she was selected to teach at Woodlawn High School. She taught at Huntington High School and later Green Oaks High School until her retirement.
Her tireless commitment to her community has been repeatedly demonstrated through her various organizational affiliations; she chaired and organized the Mother's March of Dimes for the Black Community; worked diligently to bring anti-drug messages into the school by sponsoring Students against Drugs (SAD); and spearheaded numerous outreach programs through her affiliation with her sorority.
As an active member of the Delta Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she relentlessly embraced the laurels of the sorority in her service to all mankind. She became one of the charter members of Sigma Rho Omega where she served as the chapter's first Basileus. Her devotion to community service was exemplified and acknowledged when March 4, 2006 was proclaimed "Soror Janie Wagner Day", an honor bestowed upon her by Mayor Keith Hightower of Shreveport. She was a Silver Star and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
She leaves to ever cherish her memory, her two daughters, Vallerie D. Wagner of Los Angeles, CA and Rosalyn W. Blake of Clinton, MD; her four grandsons, Jarvis D. Wagner and wife (Latonja) of Amarillo, TX, Thomas N. Blake Jr., Phillip B. Blake and Jonathan C. Blake all of Clinton, MD; her two sisters, Lois V. Powell Coleman and husband (Clinton) of Shreveport, LA and Jessie Lee Powell Brown of Shreveport, LA; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, sorority sisters and friends.
Homegoing services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Galilee Baptist Church, 1500 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport, LA. Interment will be at the Union Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Waskom, TX.
J. S. Williams Funeral Home - Shreveport, LA (318) 221-6169
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
It's been two months and my sun doesn't shine without you. Keeping your smile in my thoughts every morning I wake up knowing you are with The Father. My Mom, my friend.
Little One
June 23, 2014
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother.
G. Crystal Keys-Mason
May 14, 2014
Just as Janie is, you and your family are always close to my heart.
Much love,
Frances Swayzer Conley and family
April 25, 2014
Mrs. Wagner was my Social Studies teacher as well as a club sponsor at Huntington. I have happy memories of our time there, where we not only received a superior education but also forged life-long friendships. My sincere sympathies to Mrs. Lois Coleman and the family of Mrs. Wagner.
Keith Norwood
April 14, 2014
I've had some good days
I've had some hills to climb
I've had some weary days
And some sleepless nights
But when I look around
And I think things over
All of my good days
Outweigh my bad days
I won't complain
Sometimes the clouds are low
I can hardly see the road
I ask a question, Lord
Lord, why so much pain?
But he knows what's best for me
Although my weary eyes
They can't see
So I'll just say thank you Lord
I won't complain
Rest In Peace JP. Forever in our hearts. Vallerie, Rosalyn, Jarvis, TJ, Phillip & Jonathan
Rosalyn Blake
April 13, 2014
I remember her from Huntington in the late 70's. She was a master teacher. God bless you all.
Robin Vosbury
April 12, 2014
Praying that the beautiful memories shared, brings comfort.
Rena Young-Melius
April 12, 2014
To the Family of Soror Janie P. Wagner,
I was saddened to hear of your loss. Please know how sorry I am; however, I want you to find comfort in knowing that you were a part of a well-lived life. Hold on to your memories because memories are a legacy of love.
I will always have comfort in knowing that she was such an intergal part of my life. I wish for the family strength, comfort and peace.
Soror Mattie McMullen
April 11, 2014
Sorry in the loss of one of our sister's of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. May her service to mankind always be remembered. Soror Vickie Shyne, Iota Rho Omega, Minden, LA
Vickie Shyne
April 11, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Valerie and Rosalyn, during your time of bereavement. Soror Janie was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her legacy will live on forever.
Soror Rosalind Patterson Nelson
Rosalind Patterson Nelson
April 11, 2014
We Love you dearly. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers and May you find comfort in your wonderful memories.
Tammye Chester-Colley
April 11, 2014
We Love you dearly. Your family will continue to be in Our thoughts and Prayers.
April 11, 2014
She inspired many and her legacy will forever linger in the minds and hearts of those who crossed her path. Peace Be Still. BTW Class of 1965
Wanda Hall Goldson
April 11, 2014
Vallerie and Rosalyn -
My dear friends, I have been thinking of you all week. The world has been a better place from having Soror Janie and Soror Bettye in it!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this hour, as we will all continue to carry on with their Legacy.
Love always,
Soror Cheryle Wheeler-Johnson (and Family of late Soror Bettye Jo Watson Wheeler)
Cheryle Wheeler
April 11, 2014
Margaret Young give her condolences to the Wagner family, as Granddaughter to the late Mattie Powell Black. From Chicago we love you all.Robert,True,Java Young
Margaret Young
April 11, 2014
"What profound footprints she left in the sand."
Brenda Norwood
April 11, 2014
Jane Chester of Grand Prairie, TX send condolence. She is the daughter of Mattie Powell. Mattie Powell is the sister of William E. Powell. We will miss our cousin very much. Mattie and Frank of Arlington, TX send love
April 11, 2014
May the memories that mean the most to you live forever in your heart. God Bless the family. With deepest sympathy and Love.
Shirley Chester-Coffey
April 11, 2014
Wow! This lady was remarkable. Although I never attended any of her classes, I always heard fellows students talk about how positive she was. Her passion was education and she left her mark at Green Oaks High! Rest In Peace, Mrs. Wagner!
K. Smith
April 11, 2014
Sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Wagner. She was a teacher while I attended BTW. Our prayers are with the family. C/O '68
Ruther Washington
April 11, 2014
To the family of Janie P. Wagner:
Please find comfort in knowing that Mrs. Wagner was an inspiration to me and to all the people that had the pleasure of interacting with her. She was one of a kind and God has truly gained an angel. I know she is looking down from heaven with her "pink and green" wings. I will truly miss her wisdom and phone calls. I am eternally grateful to have had a chance to know her and be able to call her my sorority sister and play-mom. She taught me a lot of things that I will be able to carry on for years to come.
Rachel Harrison
April 11, 2014
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J.S. Williams Funeral Home - Shreveport1104 Pierre Ave, Shreveport, LA 71103
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