Janice H. Ashley

Janice Hiawatha Cooper Ashley departed this life on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at Indiana University Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. By her side was her devoted husband, loving daughter, priest and a dear friend. Janice was born to the late Roosevelt and Lelia Jones Cooper in Montrose, Georgia, on May 1, 1939. Her father and mother were farmers; her mother was also a nurse, teacher, missionary, evangelist, entrepreneur and founder of Starlight Church of God and Christ, in Dublin, Georgia. Janice grew up in a loving and nurturing family environment. After graduating from Millville High School in Dudley, Georgia, Janice continued her education at Fort Valley State College, Fort Valley, Georgia, where she received her Undergraduate degree in education. She later received her Master of Science degree from Butler University, in Indianapolis Indiana. Janice began her teaching career in the North Carolina school system and continued her career for thirty-three years in the Lawrence Township school system in Indianapolis, Indiana. She taught accounting, computerized accounting, keyboarding, as well as, various other Business and Vocational courses at Lawrence Central High school, Lawrence North High School and McKenzie Career Center located in Lawrence. She spearheaded the first Computerized Accounting Labs at both Lawrence North and the McKenzie Career Center. Janice was highly respected by students, parents and colleagues alike. Under her leadership, her students competed annually at local, state and national levels in Computerized Accounting and as Business Professionals of America. Further enhancing the minds of the youth, she and other teachers stood as chaperones to students on European trips as part of the People-to-People home stay program started by President Eisenhower. Janice was a dedicated member of the Church of Nativity where she served on the Vestry and as an usher. Her Interests included precious time with family, reading, traveling, exercising and visiting her Georgia snow-bird home. Janice was a member and participant in various organizations, including Lawrence Education Association, Indiana State Teachers Association, Indiana Business Education Association, Indiana Vocation Association, Business Professionals of America, Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Retired Teachers, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Janice was a compliment and never yielding support for her husband, Major (Ret) Otis Ashley, through his many sacrifices for the country, state and his family. She was and still is a nurturing yet strong guiding hand for her children and grandchildren. She ensured their love and drives for education culminating in her daughter becoming a lawyer and her son a military physician. One of her most fervent desires during her 4 year battle with cancer recurrence was to make it to her granddaughter Peyton Ashley’s graduation from college. By the grace of God, she accomplished this goal. All 8 of her grandchildren are in some stage of academic achievement and career pursuit. Throughout her life, she has been an unequaled advocate for childhood education, teaching, and mentoring and promoting life experiences to thousands of children. She demonstrated this calling to the end knowing that her time with us was complete and that she could rest confidently in the strength and love of the Lord and her family. Left behind to cherish her loving memory is her devoted husband of 60 years, Major (Ret) Otis Ashley; two loving children, Attorney Cassandra Ashley Jordan (Jeff) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Colonel (Ret) Ricanthony Ashley, MD (Patti) of Fayetteville, NC; eight grandchildren: Ian, Cameron, Cohen Gaelyn, Peyton, Madison, Morgan and Ronin; three siblings, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Valerie Cooper-Miller, NP (Nathaniel) of Bradenton, Florida; Gwendolyn Walker of Macon, Georgia; and, James Morris Cooper (WyNell) of Dublin, Ga; an ailing aunt, Rose Vickers (Zebedee) of Miami FL; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. Janice will always be remembered as a loving wife, caring mother, grandmother, sister, reliable friend, gifted teacher, mentor, and child of our God. Visitation will be Friday July 19, 2019 from 4;00 P. M. To 8:00 P. M. at Shirley Brothers, Fishers-Castleton Chapel, 9900 Allisonville Road; and, Saturday, July 20, 2019 from 2:00 P.M. until the time of service at 3:00 P. M. at Church of the Nativity, 7300 Lantern Rd. - between Sargent Rd. and Fall Creek rd. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made for “Janice H. Ashley” to: Church of the Nativity, 7300 Lantern Rd, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256 317-849-3656 For more information go to: http://nativity-indy.org

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Janice H. Ashley

May 1, 1939 - July 10, 2019