Janie Ellen Rose Dillard

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

On August 20, 2025, Janie Ellen Rose Dillard answered the call to be with her Heavenly Father.

She was born March 19, 1938, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and at age four was adopted by Rubye (Buster) Rose and Elizabeth Maria Rose, a blessing that shaped the rest of her life.  She grew up in Stony Creek, graduated from Peabody High School, and entered Virginia State College at 16.  She earned her degree in Education and joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Eta Chapter.  At Virginia State, she met Franklin R. Dillard of Newport News, VA, whom she later married.  Following his commission in the U.S. Army, she embraced life as a military spouse, teaching in classrooms across the country and abroad.

Janie devoted more than 30 years to education.  She began her career in Tappahannock, Virginia, before moving to their first duty station, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  There, she hoped to teach in the local city schools but was denied the opportunity because she was Black. Undeterred, she persevered and taught instead at Thayer Elementary School on post.  She later taught at Fort Benning, Georgia, and in American schools in Baumholder and Frankfurt, Germany.  Returning to Virginia, she continued her career in Newport News at Magruder, R.O. Nelson, Greenwood, Gildersleeve, and Enterprise Academy.  Wherever she taught, she poured herself into her students, leaving a legacy of learning that stretched across communities and continents.

In her later years, Janie shared a devoted 16-year companionship with Roscoe Watts, whose love and support brought her great joy until his passing in 2005.  A Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, she helped found the Denbigh Alumnae Chapter and faithfully served through its Scholarship Committee.  She was also a devoted member of Colossian Baptist Church, where she grew in faith through Mid-Day Bible Study and fellowship.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Andrea and Lisa; her grandsons Andre’ Cojoe and Sidney Hughes, Jr.; her nephew Randy Dillard; her cousin Kordell Goode; and a host of relatives and friends.

A memorial service celebrating her life will take place 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Colossian Baptist Church, 856 Old Fort Eustis Blvd., Newport News, Virginia 23608.

Burial of her cremains will be done at a later date at the Dinwiddie Memorial Park, Petersburg, Virginia.  

Funeral arrangements are entrusted the Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel & Crematory (Downtown)1601 27th Street, Newport News, VA 23607. (757)-380-0251. 

Obituary provided courtesy of Johnson Funeral Home, Petersburg. (804)-863-4411.