Janice Spears-Turk Spears - Turk

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Janice Spears-Turk who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Janice was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Janice knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Janice was born on July 21, 1955 at Blessed Martin De Pores Hospital in Mobile, AL. Her parents were George and Dolores Spears. Janice was raised in Mobile, AL. Even as a youngster, Janice learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Janice was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Janice was raised with three siblings. She had an older brother, Bubba, and two older sisters, Carolyn and Yvonne. Janice had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Janice, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

Janice's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Janice enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Janice took part in track and field. In her spare time she liked putting puzzles together. Janice's memorable achievements included national honor roll.

In school, Janice was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Janice was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Janice’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” She graduated from Murphy High School in 1973. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was political science. She was a member of the school debate team and was the first black president of the high school debate team.

Janice’s practical work ethic carried over into her college years. Her logical mind permitted her to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions of college life. She would tackle an assignment and work through it before moving onto the next project. Janice’s orderly nature gave way to establishing personal study habits and procedures that not only helped her stay on track but often put her ahead of schedule. When Janice saw the need or benefit, she would willingly take on the extra assignment or even attend extra classes in order to learn more and become a better student. She earned her bachelor degree. She also pursued graduate school, earning her Juris Doctorate Degree. Her favorite professor was Jock Smith.

Janice was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Janice was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Janice came to expect her high standards of performance. Later in life, she became friends with Margueta Welton, Candace Reedus, Arthur Williams, Karen & Wayne Kleoffer, Linda Price, Thomas Johnson, Peter Spears, Charles Shipman and Richard Bowden.

An objective and conscientious individual, Janice reveled in the security of her family. On June 24, 1989 Janice exchanged wedding vows with Bernard Turk at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church of Mobile, AL. One of Janice’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Janice was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Janice was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Janice upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was a lawyer. She was employed for 25 years in private practice and six years as a City Judge in Pritchard, AL. Janice was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Janice approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were reading, bowling and table tennis. Janice was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Being generous with her time and energy, Janice liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. In high school, Janice was a member of the Debate Club. In college, Janice joined the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Faith was important to Janice. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of Mountain Top Faith Ministries.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Janice used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Janice had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Cancun, Mexico and the Bahamas.

Janice passed away on February 21, 2011 at Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Janice fought a courageous fight against cancer. She is survived by her daughter, Jasmine, one brother, Bubba, and two sisters, Yvonne and Carolyn. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery. Janice was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery in Las Vegas, Nevada.

All who knew her would agree that Janice was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Janice Spears-Turk did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Northwest-Funeral Home, Las Vegas, NV.