Janice Campbell Cooley, originally from Port Neches, Texas, born July 9, 1942, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2022, in Friendswood, Texas. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Janice lived a great life. Full of happiness and joy, she could cheer anyone up with just her optimistic outlook on life, her wittiness, energetic charm, and her contagious laughter. She worked hard for her family and was always there for us, whether it be emotional support or any type of help. Her most famous lines were “ok kiddo” or “ok darling”. She nicknamed her grandchildren and some nieces and nephews either “Mr. Man” or “Miss Lucy”. Janice is described by her sister and nieces as being warm, welcoming, and interested in our lives. She made you feel like you just “belonged there”, wherever she was, always a smile on her face and pep in her step.
She went to nursing school and became a nurse in the mid 1960s. Janice then worked in Beaumont, Texas, at Dr. Hager’s office performing allergy testing for several years where she met her husband Dale Cooley who was working for the Union Pacific Railroad. They were married from July 22, 1966, until Dale passed away on Dec. 16, 2019. The two of them together made everyone smile. An outgoing couple, they made it their goal to get to know everyone.
Dale and Janice became a team at the railroad, where she joined him as an engineer and later a CTC operator. The pair retired together to establish their country place in Woodville, Texas where, they entertained the Cooley extended family at many Thanksgiving get-togethers filled with food, exploration, and fun. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Janice was preceded in death by her mother, Verline Florilla Crawford Moore; father, Max Campbell; step-father, Oscar Frederick Moore; her brother, J David Moore; and her husband. Dale Cooley.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cyndi and Jody Whiteley of Beaumont, Texas; grandchildren, Andrea Whiteley and Justin and Cassie Whiteley; great-grandchildren, Avery and Abram Whiteley of Alvin, Texas; sister Connie Moore Lindsey of Lumberton, Texas, sister-in-law Sonya Harper Moore of Jasper, Texas; brothers and sisters-in-law, Barbie and Bill Freeman, Wendell and Judy Cooley, and Wayne Cooley; nieces and nephews, Laura and Mike Glendenning, Nora Freeman, Corbett and Amber Freeman, Luke and Margaret Cooley, Anita and Tom LaHouse, Diane and Mark Fortner, Laura Beth Moore Vietor of Summerfield, North Carolina, Colin Moore of Beaumont, Texas, and Garret and Travis Lindsey of Lumberton, Texas.
We will all miss Janice greatly, but are truly thankful for the opportunity to know and love her.
The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home. Graveside service to follow at Hagar Cemetery in Ragley.
Arrangements are being handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
