Janice Marie (Harris) Chappell

Janice Marie Chappell, age 57, departed this life Thursday afternoon, September 3, 2020. Janice was born on January 16, 1963, in Steubenville, Ohio. She was the fifth of six children born to James and Herdasine (Jones) Harris. The Harris family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when Janice was eight-months-old. She attended Paul Revere Elementary and accelerated (advanced placement) classes at Alexander Hamilton Jr. High. In high school, she completed the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department's Jr. Cadet Program for aspiring law enforcement professionals and graduated from John Adams High School in 1981. Later, Janice graduated from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, majoring in Criminal Justice and General Studies.

After graduation, Janice worked at the Ashtabula County Sheriff's Department as a Corrections Officer for 9 1/2 years, where she met the love of her life, Isaac H. Chappell. On May 13, 1989, Janice and Isaac married and remained happily in love until her departure.

Janice then transitioned to a career in education, impacting many lives for two decades as a substitute teacher for the Ashtabula, Buckeye, Geneva, and Jefferson School Districts. Additionally, Janice co-founded Eagle Eye Family Development Center with her husband, an intensive outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program. The center operated from 2005 to 2015, during which time several clients successfully completed their faith-based program. Janice had a passion for Black History, which led her to create and develop Majestic Wings Educational Services. The Majestic Wings curriculum focused on sharing Black History in engaging, unique, and interactive ways. She presented the program to many schools throughout Northeast Ohio.

Raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord, she accepted Jesus as her personal savior in her youth, remaining an active member of Jefferson Community Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Janice participated in the various auxiliaries in the church and sang in the choir. In 2012, her husband, Elder Isaac Chappell, became Pastor of Jefferson COGIC. As First Lady, she could be found doing whatever her hands could do to build the kingdom. Janice was formerly the youth director, most recently serving as the church drummer and a Sunday School teacher.

Janice was preceded in death by her mother, Herdasine Harris, sister, Roslyn Lockwood, and brother, James Harris Jr. Janice leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 31 plus years, Elder Isaac Chappell, four children: James (Baya) Harris-Chappell of Crozet, Virginia; Lois Jessica Chappell of Columbus, Ohio; Jasmine Chappell of Berea, Ohio; Jewel (David) White of Madison, Ohio: two grandchildren: Valerie Chappell and Liam White: her father, Superintendent James (Lillian) Harris of Columbus, Ohio; two sisters and one brother: Beryl (Dr. Herman) Jackson of Brownsville, Pennsylvania; Adrienne Harris of Fruitland Park, Florida; Lawrence Harris of Rock Creek, Ohio and a host of beautiful nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

A public viewing will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, from 10:00am to 11:30am at Start Right Church of God in Christ, located at 977 Caldonia Avenue Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44112 . A private service will take place for family at 12:00pm at the same location. Both the viewing and the private service may be watched LIVE on Start Right Church’s Facebook Page. A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 12:00pm at Oakdale Cemetery located in Jefferson, Ohio. All are welcome to attend. Memorial contributions may be addressed to Isaac Chappell and mailed to P.O. Box 330 Jefferson, Ohio 44047.  The Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory and staff, Jefferson, Ashtabula & Geneva are privileged to serve the Janice Chappell family, view obituary, share condolences, send a flower or light a candle at fleming-billman.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janice Marie (Harris) Chappell, please visit our floral store.