Janice Edwards McDonald

Obituary

Janice Edwards McDonald

April 15, 1935 – November 6, 2025

Janice Edwards McDonald was the daughter of the late James Wesley and Laura Freeman Edwards. She was the seventh of ten children born to this couple and grew up on the family farm in the Sherrill-Pastoria area of Jefferson County, Arkansas. Janice was quiet and pensive, a precocious child with an excellent memory and a penchant for history. She loved to spend any spare time that she could nick in a quiet place reading. She was an avid reader and loved books. Since there were not many books in the home, she would read the ones that she had over and over. She easily mastered any subject that she attempted, and usually advanced far beyond others in her class.

At a very early age, Janice's parents enrolled her at Merrill Elementary School in order to make her brother Jasper stay at school. This served two purposes, Jasper had company, and even though siblings, they became lifelong best friends. After Merrill, they were students at Sherrill School; and then Tucker School, before graduating Merrill High School together in 1952.

During most of her teenage years, Janice served as church secretary, and after high school, the then Presiding Elder Dove, of New Hope A.M.E. Church, recommended her for a scholarship to attend Shorter College, where she matriculated for a while, and then attended A.M.&N. College. She later completed a nursing program and became a License Practical Nurse. She served as a nurse at Jefferson Hospital for 35 years. Because of the quality of her work while employed there, she was selected to work in the Coronary Care Unit and was sent to study in order to learn how to care for heart patients.

Always a dedicated church worker, in 1989, Janice was one of the founders of Share-A-Prayer and Word Church Fellowship, Inc. She served on the Board of Directors and as Financial Secretary. She was a member there for 39 years, until her death.

Janice was married to the late Flynr McDonald who preceded her in death. She was the mother of five children; Michael Edwards (Carolyn), Michelle M. Robinson, Morris McDonald (Doris), Marcus McDonald (Yvonne), and Martin McDonald; and five surviving stepchildren, Lynette Beard (Dedrick), Terry McDonald, Gloria Jean McDonald, Anthony McDonald, and Steve McClain. Her youngest son, Martin, preceded her in death in 2021. She leaves ten grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her death five brothers, and two sisters, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins: also, a host of friends.

Scripture: II Corinthians 5:8-10

We are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;…

Visitation will be 4:30p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Brown Funeral Home, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

The Graveside service will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 14, 2024, at Graceland Cemetery, Pine Bluff, AR by Bishop Henry "Hank" Wilkins, IV. Services are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home Pine Bluff, AR.

Obituary submitted by the Family.