Obituary of Janice Marlene Claiborne
Janice Marlene Stockard was born on August 28, 1940, in Monroe, Michigan. She was one of six children born to the union of Frank and Edna (Thomas) Stockard. Janice attended Monroe High School, graduating with the class of 1957.
In 1958, Janice married her first husband: Kenneth and together the couple would be blessed with four children: Kenneth, Lori, Tony, and Pamela. She then married Charles Claiborne in 1983.
Janice was employed for over thirty years by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department where she was the head cook for the Monroe County Jail. There she learned many skills in the kitchen that she carried over to the home, making her an excellent cook and baker. Diners fortunate enough to enjoy one of her large meals craved her homemade biscuits and gravy and fried chicken. Guests never left hungry and in fact usually left with a care package of leftovers. At Christmas, Janice made the best cookies and candies. She was also well-known for her famous baked pies.
Janice loved to watch soap operas, especially Guiding Light, reading romance novels or catching an intriguing crime show on television. Most importantly she loved and cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Janice Marlene Claiborne, age 83 of Monroe passed away on Friday; September 15, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Her passing was preceded by her parents: Frank and Edna Stockard; her husbands: Kennth Hill Sr. and Charles Claiborne; four sisters: Bernice Graves, Joann Bomia, Shirley Laney, and Margaret “Patsy” Black; and a brother: William “Billie” Stockard.
To cherish her memory, she leaves two daughters: Lori Kelley and Pamela Hill both of Monroe; two sons: Kenneth A. Hill Jr. of Monroe and Tony Lynn Hill of Pearland, Texas; seven grandchildren: Brandy (Chris Welliver) Kelley, Jerry (Gretchen) Kelley, Angie (Bryan Flatford) Hill, Jessica Hill, Tristan Hill, Matthew Hill, and Sydney Hill; three great grandchildren: Leo Bashi, Wyatt Lee and Malikai Flatford.
No public services are planned at this time. Janice’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.
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