Janiya G. Armstrong Agnew

On April 21, 2008, the world was graced with the birth of Janiya Grace. Janiya’s arrival on earth created a firestorm that would spread to places that not even Janiya would image.
At a very young age Janiya knew her purpose was to fill those around her with laughter and the light of
love. “Grace,” her middle name, is so befitting as she was the perfect example of how we should live our lives. She did it her way!
Janiya was a 9 th -grader at Saltillo High School where she was always smiling and making Tik-Toks
with her friends and teachers. Janiya loved school not only as a learning institution but also as a place where she was surrounded by the love of faculty and friends. Janiya was a member of the Volleyball, Softball and Basketball teams. She is described as a force who dominated the courts and fields wherever she played. She was seen by her team members as a leader and encourager. Sports was a vehicle that allowed Janiya to create relationships that would promote God’s love for all people.
At a very early age, Janiya accepted the love and grace of Jesus Christ and committed her life to him. She was a member of the Bethel CME Church in Guntown, MS. She served faithfully as a member of the Teens for Truth Ministry, Amazing Grace and Point of Grace Choirs, Children’s Church assistant teacher, and Usher Ministry. She was also the Assistant Secretary for the Northeast Mississippi Region Youth Ministry. Janiya’s favorite book in the bible is Job.
Janiya would often talk about Job’s suffering and strength and how she used that to navigate struggles day to day. She loved singing in the choir, Sunday School, and bible study. She was active and passionate about building her church and community.
Janiya loved spending Sunday evenings eating dinner with her family, spending money, and taking trips. Chick-fil-a was her favorite restaurant, and she was a master at convincing people to take her there several times a week. Janiya loved making Tik-Tok videos with her cousins and friends.
Janiya is proceeded in death by her Grandparents, Dr. Jimmie O. Agnew and James Dean, James William Spears, and Mary Kaye Walkingeagle.
Janiya Grace’s memory will be cherished and honored by her parents, Rodney and Natasha Dean, her Grandparents, Lucille Agnew, Flora Dean, Audrey McGee (Rita), Lori Pierce (Kelvin), and Mary Mann; her Great-Grandparents, Audrey, Sr. and Ollie McGee, Katherine Cobb ((Roosevelt) and Henry Armstrong; her God Parents, Tonya Freeman and Bo Freeman and family; her 3 Broke
Best Friends Daja “Hallie” Beene, Shannon Agnew and Shamiya Enlow; her birth parents, Davvin
Armstrong (Erica) and Tamara Anderson; her siblings, Tashjana, Renshay, Cagarion, Addison,
Jazlynn, Davvin, Jr., Ace, Keiazha, Tylan, Jameria, Kaye’Leigh, and Peyton; her aunts, Angeleque
Beene (Darrell); her uncle, Melvin Dean (Phyllis); a special aunt, Brenda Agnew and a host of
uncles, aunts, cousins and other relatives and friends.

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