Perry J. Brown Funeral Home | Greensboro, NC
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Obituary For Dr. Janice Witt Smith
In the early hours of September 8, 2021, God called His earthly jewel, Dr. Janice Witt Smith, to join Him in His Heavenly Home. She was born Janice Elizabeth Witt on June 13, 1955 to the late Helen Mundy Witt and Leroy Witt, Sr. in Lynchburg, Virginia. “Dr. J”, as many family members affectionately called her, was the third-born of the five Witt children.
Janice was exceptionally smart, inquisitive, and determined! She set very high goals for herself and for others. She was a lifelong learner and she challenged herself to explore new ideas in business, languages, life, and culture. She achieved a Bachelor of Science, in Business Administration and Management from Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) and her Master and Doctoral Degrees in Business at Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech). She was an accomplished tenured Full Professor in the Business Schools of North Carolina A&T State University and Winston-Salem State University. Janice was also a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Janice was an accomplished executive, business and leadership coach who founded and became CEO of her own human resources consulting firm --- J.W. Smith & Associates. Janice was an exceptional motivational speaker and published over 50 academic articles, papers, books, on human resource management, servant leadership, and organizational behavior. Janice prided herself in providing assistance, information, and leadership training to small business owners, particularly women and people of color. She was generous with her time and resources and was never too busy to assist those in need. Over the years, Janice was the recipient of many professional awards, honors and accolades including being inducted into Leadership Charlotte and serving many local community and professional organizations.
Janice also loved her Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ and joined the church family at a very early age! Janice was a member of WORD Fellowship Church in Charlotte and previously a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro. Janice enjoyed facilitating and leading the Marriage Ministry with her husband (Will Smith). Janice also served faithfully in a leadership capacity over the years including being the Dean of the One in Christ Bible College and serving on the Board of Directors for Christian Education with the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, International.
Janice is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 34 years, William Smith; a daughter, Helena Janelle Clemons (Patrick); and two sons, Chris Smith (Kumie) and Justin Smith (Crystal). Her pride and joy were her six grandchildren: Joshua and Gabrielle Clemons of Charlotte, North Carolina, Malhea and Alex Smith of Atlanta, Georgia, and London and Emerie Smith of Honolulu, Hawaii. She is also survived by four siblings: Judith Fowlkes (Melvin),Leroy Witt, Jr. (Gloria), Beverly Branch (Charles), and Peggy James (E.L.), as well as a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. They will truly cherish her memory as her greatest loves were God and family!
The instructions are below: Go to: www.MTZBC.com Click on the “Watch” link from the Menu This will take you directly to the live stream of Dr. Janice Witt Smith’s service
A Celebration of life will be held at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1301 Alamance Church Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406 on Tuesday September 14, 2021. The visitation will begin at 10:30am and the service will follow at 11:00am. Burial Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Services Entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home (336)-272-6109
Guest Book
The Lynchburg Alumni Association expresses our sincere condolences to the family.
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Will, Janelle, Patrick and family, I'm still processing this, thus, my timing of sending words of sympathy and comfort. Dr. J; I can't even gather enough words to share how thankful to God I am for our last conversation, and the example she was to me, as a sold out, Ambassador for Christ that she was. She was on assignment and completed her task in exemplary form! To God be the glory! Rest on Dr. J, you fought a good fight, you finished the course and now, you're smiling and received the "good " & God got the "glory". I love you beyond these words, and if I can take the baton & run the race, half as good as you did, I know our Father will be pleased. You left big shoes to fill! With God, all things are possible! In conclusion, even though my mind has so much to share, thank you for your love, encouragement, push and example of Godly living, a wife, mother, colleague and friend. I love you & I'll see you in glory!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Janice was a great colleague at WSSU. There was hardly a day when we did not exchange greetings or chat on and off campus. She was a very accomplished teacher and served as a mentor to generations of students. Her death is a big loss to the entire WSSU community. My deepest condolences to Will and the Family. Edward Zajicek
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My condolences to my Virginian family. Witt family, I'm praying for your comfort & strength during this time. RIP cousin & Soror Smith. With love, Soror Devin Logan
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Our family Haynes &Dempsey are in tears we just hear of Janice passing. We loved Janice and her beautiful smile. I caught the school bus with all the Witt sister and look up to each one they were all so encouraging and always looking out for the little girls waiting on the bus. I know this she with mom and dad they have a grand old time. Blessings to the family. Lelia Mae Dempsey Priscilla Haynes Rita & Sharlene Timmy &Mark . We will never forget the Witts one beautiful family.
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I got to know Dr J through Coach training at NCSU. We met for a Friday and Saturday once a month for 10 months. Getting to know Janice was one of the joys of my participation in the class. Besides being an accomplished coach, Janice was a warm, caring, strong-willed woman. She was bold and entered into difficult conversations with a professional poise that communicated confidence and compassion. She was a sister in Christ, a fellow coach, a caring wife, proud mother and playful grandmother. Janice was a friend to call whenever you needed something. And though we lived many miles away, our paths did cross again a few times, and we always greeted one another with a big smile and hug. This place will miss Dr J and I look forward to our eternal time together. My prayers are for God to continue to bless the Witt Smith family with love and beautiful memories to share. Blessings, Annetta Johnson
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I just found out this sad sad news. I am so sorry for your loss. She was the best instructor, educator and sweetest spirit I know. Love Hugs and Prayers Sutrina Benge
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My condolences to the family I graduated with Judith and was friends to family will miss this beautiful lady Patricia Jones Rucker
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My condolences to the family I graduated with Judith and was friends to family will miss this beautiful lady Patricia Jones Rucker
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I was classmates to Janice sister and brother friend to the family what a beautiful lady my condolences to the family Patricia Jones Rucker
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Dr. J has left an indelible print on my life. She was a fierce prayer warrior, an awesome Biblical scholar, leader, encourager and possessed a beautiful heart. I will miss her greatly. Her legacy will live on and on and on. Peace and Comfort to Janelle and the entire family. Dr. Janet Whidby
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We are so very sorry for the loss of Janice. Janelle(Patrick) and the entire Witt/Smith family. Please know that we are continuing to pray for you. Janiice was very sweet and had such a bubbly personality. We had great times together and I remember when we were blessed to have Janice to be a part of the Baby Shower of our firstborn son CJ Daley in Indianapolis Indiana. 1 Peter 5:7 says casting all your care upon him for he careth for you and God will do just that. Remember time faith and grace heals all wounds; however, you will never forget her.🙏🏾❤️
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We are so very sorry for the loss of Janice. Janelle(Patrick) and the entire Witt/Smith family. Please know that we are continuing to pray for you. Janiice was very sweet and had such a bubbly personality. We had great times together and I remember when we were blessed to have Janice to be a part of the Baby Shower of our firstborn son CJ Daley in Indianapolis Indiana. 1 Peter 5:7 says casting all your care upon him for he careth for you and God will do just that. Remember time faith and grace heals all wounds; however, you will never forget her.🙏🏾❤️
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Janelle (Patrick) and the entire Witt//Smith family, words can't convey how sorry we are for such a great loss. Janice was a sweetheart and I remember the times that we had great fun in Indianapolis, IN. We were blessed to have Janice to be apart of he Baby Shower of our first born son, CJ Daley in Indianapolis, IN. We favor thie purple candle because it represents: royalty and of course she was just that❣️Remember that 1 Peter 5:7 tells us that casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you is very true and God's got this and He has you. Please know that time, faith and grace heals all wounds; however, you'll never forget her. We love you and will continue to pray for you.
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Words can't express how sorry we are for your loss. Janice had such a bubbly personality. I remember so vividly as though it was yesterday how we were blessed to have her to be a part of our firstborn son CJ Daley in Indianapolis Indiana. It hit me hard to find out on today of Janicrs's passing. Janelle (Patrick)... please know that time, faith and grace will help to ease the pain; however, you'll never forget. Know that 1Peter 5:7 says: casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you and He really does. God's got YOU❣️We will continue to pray for you and may God forever keep you.
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Candle lit by Deacon Anthony Taylor Wake Chapel Church, Raleigh NC
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I first met Dr. Janice W Smith when she took a training session I lead at Winston-Salem State University in October 2000. We coauthored a paper that was presented at a conference in California the next year. Janice was a joy to know and always strived to make her students better. My sincere condolences to the family.
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Deepest condolences to the family in this time. I only met her a few times, but Janice was a wonderful soul, and I know her presence will be sincerely missed by all. I know that her memory will be a blessing, and I will keep you all in my prayers. Love, Calvin Phelps
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Words can't express this loss. I am sending prayers of comfort to all Dr. J's family, friends, and mentees.
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Our thoughts, hearts, and prayers are with you Bill, Janelle and Patrick and family and we are so sorry for your loss. Janice was the Matriarch and a rock in her family and community. She will be sorely missed, but her legacy lives on... Norman and Connie & Family
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Bro. Will, Janelle, & family, our hearts and prayers are with you all. Words cannot express our deepest sympathy at the loss of Dr. J. We are keeping you in our thoughts at this time and in the days ahead. We will forever be here if you need anything. With love & sincere condolences, Paul & Shoshanah Long
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I first met Janice when the family moved to Greensboro for her to take the job as a professor at NC A&T State University. Then our friendship grew when she joined Mt Zion Baptist Church and we also worked together in One in Christ Bible College. She had so many things going at one time and made it seem effortlessly. Janice was a great friend and Woman of God. She was a true trailblazer. I send my condolences to Bill and the family. She will be missed. -Thelma
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Sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Janice Witt Smith. Janice was a precious sister and faithful partner of VWPM, Inc. and she will be greatly missed. As an intercessor and leader of the Southern Carolinas Branch for the pass 3 years, she led with passionate fervor and faith in Christ. She has left a beautiful legacy of love for God, family and friends. Blessings and love, Elder LaMonica Mitchell and the VWPM, Inc. board and partnership
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To: Will Smith and family, It was my pleasure to have had Dr. Janice Witt Smith as a colleague, with us having met and worked as leadership/executive coaches at the Center for Creative Leadership. However, our relationship developed into a friendship of personal caring and sharing, which I treasured, as I did her. She was driven to make our earthly existence a better experience for everyone (smile)! With deepest condolences and shared sadness, Dr.Harrell B. Roberts
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What a beautiful person. She will be missed. Sending condolences to the family.
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Sending prayers and condolences to Soror Janice Witt Smith's family. I had the pleasure of meeting Janice as a participant of Leadership Charlotte and she was a sweet and caring soul. Her spirit, advice and warm smile will definitely be missed.
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My family and I offer prayers and condolences to all of Dr. Smith's family and loved ones. Dr. Smith was a dear colleague at Winston-Salem State University and she touched many lives not only as faculty/teacher but as a great woman of God. - Dr. Alice Etim
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We pray for the Peace that passes all understanding to all who knew Dr. Janice Witt Smith she showed us so many of her gifts here on earth but the greatest gift was how she lived her life in Christ and how she shared it with all who knew her. You could not be in her presence not for one moment without knowing her focus, her energy her love was truly founded in God. She will be missed, we were so blessed to know her here on earth now her life continues in Heaven. Our deepest condolences From Brad, LaDonna and Sarah Baldwin
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My deep condolences to Janice's family and other loved ones. I first knew Janice professionally, and we became friends very easily. May she rest in peace now. She is a child of God, and always has been. Talula Cartwright
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"Will,it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them." Love Ken and Overa Reid!
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I had the chance to work with Dr. Smith briefly through our mutual connection with the Center for Creative Leadership. I will never forget her support of my ideas and career, and her drive to make the world a better place. My deepest condolences to her family and all who knew her better.
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Dr. J live on purpose, authentically, and graciously! She was a woman of vision, action and prayer! Today, I am stronger, wiser, and better, because of her influence. I will miss her dearly, but her legacy will live on! ❤️🙏🏾🙌🏾
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With a heavy heart I offer prayers and condolences to all of you during this time of great loss. Dr. Smith was one of my dearest friends, colleagues, and ministry partners. It's very difficult for me to articulate just what she meant to me. Dr. Smith's life, legacy, work, ministry, love for God and people will continue to produce fruit forever! May the peace of God be with you all and as I did in relation to Dr. Smith I love all of you to life❤️❤️
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From the depths of my heart I extend prayers and condolences to you during this time of such great loss. Dr. Smith touched my life in ways I find difficult to articulate. She was one of my dearest friends and best ministry partners I've ever had in my life! Will I think you know full well the unique relationship your wife and I had in ministry and as mentors to one another and dear friends! May God comfort you and give you peace. Dr. Smith's life, work, ministry, and legacy will continue to bring forth fruit all over this world forever and ever! May God bless all of you and as I did her, I love all of you to life❤️❤️❤️
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I will forever miss Dr.Janice, she was such aawesome mentor and woman of God
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Sending up prayer for the Smith My classmate we grow-up in Amherst high School break my heart to no the lost of one sweets classmate R.I.P
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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
- Perry J. Brown Funeral Home | Greensboro, NC