Janice Sue Mathews-Ward

Janice Sue Brunston Mathews-Ward was born to Raymond “Deak” and Goldie Clair Woodson Brunston on August 5, 1944 at home, 580 Frederick Street of Nelsonville, Ohio.

She was the youngest of 7 children; Dorothy Mae Brunston Cage-Evans, David Larry Brunston, Russell Gene Brunston, Ruthann Brunston Evans, Marietta Brunston Douglas, and Paul Edward Brunston. As the youngest of seven children, she was never lonely and very much loved by her parents and siblings. From building tree houses to modeling and singing her life was always an adventure.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nelsonville, Ohio. Being raised in a small town and a small group of friends she sand and directed the first Baptist choir who traveled all over Ohio singing at many churches. Not being content with just singing and directing the choir, she and her brother Paul joined up with best friends Becky and Mike Dexter and Sandy Polley to form “The Voices” which was a rhythm and Blues Soul Group. They sang at all the high school dances and other venues when invited. Later on the group changed to an all girl group. The group was well received throughout Ohio when they were joined with Dolli Hall, and Jean Miller, her and Sandy completed the group. They were offered a contract with “Decca Records” with a manager who was the wife of the owner of the radio station in Lancaster, Ohio however our parents thought they were too young to travel out of state so they were content to stay in Nelsonville.

In 1963 in observance of the Emancipation Proclamation, she was crowned “Miss Progress”.
in 1962 she broke the race barrier when she became the first “person of color” to work as a secretary to the assistant dean of women at The Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Transferring to Ohio State, she became secretary to Dr. Eileen McFarlene , Director of Pathology. Not being content to just work as a secretary, she then enrolled at Columbus Technical Institute where she attended for 2 years and received a 3.8 grade point average while working as 1st building manager for the new Columbus Community Services Office Building on Broad St.

In 1989 she joined federal employment office operations manager for the 1990 census supervising. Over 100 census takers for 56 counties in Ohio. In 1990 she was promoted to Director of the West office of the census and was responsible for supervising over 900 employees including 5 managers. Their office was the number 1 office n the country to return all census forms. The census completed she joined another branch of the Federal Government in the form of US Housing and Urban Development. Hired as a supervisor she went to be promoted to customer service specialist as “the last resort specialist.”

She is preceded in death by husbands Duvon Mathews and Leslie Ward, parents Raymond and Goldie Brunston, sister Ruthann Evans, brothers David (Larry) Brunston, Russell Brunston, and Paul Brunston, grandson Duvon Mathews, brothers in law Melvin Cage, Richard Evans, Ronald (Donna) Mathews, and Derek Ward, sisters in law Ruth Brunston, and Dianne Mathews-Johnson, mothers and fathers in law Nellie and Dolphus Mathews, and Dean and Beathra Ward

She leaves to cherish her memory; sons Jason and Justin (Latasha) Mathews, grandchildren Taylor, Desiree, Caysha, Justin, Breana, Brooklyn, Ameir, Xavier Mathews, and Emmanuel Austin, great grandchildren Danielle, Jaden, Serenity, Tae’lor, and Chase, and also a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation 11:00am and Funeral 12:00pm Monday, March 25, 2019 at Mt. Gerizim Baptist Church, 2633 Mock Road.

Interment at Glen Rest Memorial Estates.