Uncrowned Community Builders

Janice D. Lois Coble was born to Ora Clyde and Callie Stanley on December 6, 1928, the youngest of five children. She was born in a country town known as Chauncey, Georgia. Janice's earliest childhood was spent there, in Cleveland, Ohio and Winter Park, Florida. Before relocating to Buffalo, New York she received most of her education through the public school system of Dublin, Georgia and Winter Park, Florida. After relocating to Buffalo, she worked at many jobs before securing a position at the J.W. Clement book binding company where she worked for 22 years before retiring.
Her interest in plants and sewing led her to take continuing education classes at McKinley High School and the University of Buffalo, where she studied hydroponics, growing plants without soil. Receiving her certificate in horticulture, she began having plant parties. She taught others who loved plants, but thought they could not grown them that they too had a green thumb. In the process she established a small business for herself. Always supportive and proud her beloved husband jokingly described her priorities as the plants, the dogs and then him. Her hobbies also including sewing and traveling extensively with her husband. Her most favorite things, shopping and fired chicken were no secret to anyone who knew her.
Janice loved doing things for her husband and other people and was always busy. She joined St. John Baptist church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Burnie C. McCarley and later reinstated under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. B.W. Smith growing more spiritual under his leadership. She worked with the Youth Church for several years, attending Sunday School, Bible Class and Prayer Service. She was a member of the Senior Usher Board, sang with the Bells, was a member of the Evangelist Team and worked with the Senior Fellowship. She recalled that she was glad when she finally became a senior and could become a member. She drove for the St. John van pickup service for meetings on Saturday and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She was a member of the Prison Ministry, Christian Women's Ministry, Sunday School and Deaconess Ministry. She was president of the Women's Auxiliary, secretary for the Deaconess Board and was the first secretary for the NIPIRG Citizens Alliance. Deaconess Coble loved people and did whatever was asked for her to help.
After retirement, she worked as a Foster Grandparent for Special Education with Catholic Charities for 24 years, earning her the recognition of being the longest standing volunteer in their history and Volunteer of the Year. She loved the children and her face would light up whenever she talked about them in her effort to recruit others to the program.
As a member of the Grover Flemming Post 2501, she served as president and secretary. She was a member of the Household of Ruth #10, Grand United Order of Oddfellows and served in several capacities including national treasurer for the Marching Club. She also served on the Ellicott Federation of Block Clubs, the Ellicott Neighborhood Advisory Council and was an elections inspector.
Along the way, Janice met the love of her life, Elmer Coble. They fell in love, married and had a very happy and successful life together for 34 years until his death in 2004. Fulfilling a promise made to her beloved Elmer, she took on the responsibility of looking after his ill brother until her own health began to fail.
Mrs. Coble had one daughter, Dorothy J. Brown of Rochester, New York and a brother Thomas Stanley of Apopka, Florida.