Janiece Chambers Marshall was born at Nancy, Texas on July 24, 1932, to parents Robert E. Chambers and Mary Alabama “Bama” Franklin Chambers. She lived there with her older siblings and attended school in Zavalla. The family moved from their farm to Zavalla when she was about seven years old where they owned a grocery/furniture store that her mother operated while her dad worked as a Texas Forest Ranger.
Janiece graduated from Zavalla High School as Salutatorian in 1949 where she had met and married the love of her life, Kellon Marshall. They were married for 68 years. The couple moved to Freeport, Texas where their four children, Cynthia, Robert, Mike, and Kay were born. She sold Avon in the neighborhood after a move to Lake Jackson and bowled on a successful women’s league.
The family left Lake Jackson for Port Arthur, Texas in 1962. Janiece had a dream that led her on her next journey---to become a high school English teacher. She found encouragement with the likes of Dr. Francis E. Abernathy and Dr. Ralph A. Wooster. She graduated in three years qualified to teach English and History, later adding a master’s degree to her credentials. After a short stent at Thomas Edison Junior High, Janiece moved on to that dream job at Thomas Jefferson High School where she taught English, eventually becoming head of the department before she retired after twenty-six years. Janiece remained resilient all her life with determination to reach her goals and to do all things “her way.” She joined the alumni association at Lamar, Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association, and the National Education Association.
Janiece felt at home in the classroom, and she adored her students, and they returned the affection, naming her teacher of the year during her tenure. She also received numerous other awards. Involved in many campus activities, she helped direct the drama club, she led the cheerleaders, and she organized several proms. She demanded excellence from her students, and many have pleased her when she learned of their accomplishments as adults, such as former student Coach Todd Dodge.
Kellon and Janiece travelled the Great American West during her summer breaks. She relished those trips to Yellowstone, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Canada, along with other destinies in America. She favored a family European trip. After her retirement she continued her love of learning and teaching by helping her grandchildren with their English papers. As an avid, addicted reader of spy novels, she read all night, especially ones by her favorite author, James Patterson. She loved sports, including the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Cowboys, and any team from Texas.
Janiece’s husband Kellon, her parents, siblings Franklin Wayne Chambers and Helen Juanita Chambers Hill, and son-in-law Philip Devlin predeceased her. She is survived by children Cynthia Marshall Devlin, Robert (Marilyn) Marshall, Michael (Belinda) Marshall, and Carolyn Kay Marshall Ryan (Mark), and grandchildren, Robert C. Marshall (Megan), and Christine Marioneaux (Chris) and Madeline Ryan (Jason). Great grandchildren include Colton, Cade, Camden Marioneaux and Mae, Zola, Jack, and Charlotte Marshall.
The family thanks Kim Bush Smith for her expertise as a caregiver over these many years. Contributions to the Arbor Day Foundation preferred in lieu of flowers.