Janice Mae Harmon

1948 - 2017

HAMPTON - Born May 12th 1948, on October 12th 2017 Janice Mae Graves Harmon was blessed with her Great Getting up Morning. Her Homecoming was comforted with greetings from her father James T. Graves and her sisters Doris Graves Brown and Jeanett Graves Jones Walker. Janice Mae Harmon will be remembered as a kind, loving and nurturing soul. She touched lives with creativity. She adorned her family and friends with the latest handmade fashions. She spiced up our surroundings with craftwork blessing us all with the touch of her hand from the bottom of her heart. She gave willingly from that heart throughout her lifetime. When you hear the phrase "It takes a village..." you see Janice Harmon. Whether it was spent helping raise children, coordinating events, being a family historian or dispensing information on topics ranging from the origin of man to how to properly tie a headscarf, she was everyone's go to person. She gave of her time unfailingly. As she was fond of saying "The joy is mine." In truth the joy is ours because our lives will be forever enriched by the example of selflessness she showed. After graduating from Huntington High School, Class of 66 she began attending Norfolk State University. She decided to stop her schooling in accounting so that she could spend more time with her only child, choosing to become a teacher's aide. And taught she did. She provided the early education foundation of reading, writing, cooking, business organization and execution for not only her son but to her nieces and nephews as well. She had a successful career as a seamstress, beauty products and crafts salesperson. In the sixties, seventies and eighties if you weren't wearing Janice Harmon, invited to one of her Tupperware or make-up parties, you must not have been from around here. The final part of her journey saw her giving the Multiple Sclerosis community her talent for hard work, faith and fellowship as well as caring for her mother. As she always did she brought people together to support each other in living with and finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Having always been known as a Mama's girl, it was a surprise to none how devoted she was to her mother's well being. Of course she found time to volunteer at her church every Wednesday night. It was time well spent. Clear for all to see. Time shown what it means to give from the heart and soul unconditionally. Mama, sister, daughter, wife, lover, friend. With style beyond reproach, twinkling eyes that shined with hope you were all those things to all until your time with us came to an end. Rest easy now, time to make yourself a pretty dress and twirl again. Time to laugh with your sisters round the table, time to get your hair laid and get your nails just right. Time to sing the Lord's praises since you've finally got the Lord in sight. You don't worry about us no more, you did what you were sent to do. "The Joy is Mine" yes, but the Joy was ours too. It was you. Janice Harmon is survived by her mother Magnolia Graves, her son Thomas E. Harmon V, nieces & nephews of the ordinary and grand variety, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends too numerous to name. A memorial service will be held in her honor on Wednesday October 18th, 2017 at 11pm at O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 3009 Chestnut Avenue, Newport News Virginia 23607.