Janie Elizabeth Stanley
"You are Loved, You are Missed, and You are remembered".
Mrs. Janie Elizabeth Napier, daughter of the late Margarett “Solly” Robinson and Cecil Napier was born on April 29, 1933 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. At the age of 3, the family relocated to Indianapolis where she attended public schools. In January 1951, she graduated from Cripus Attucks High School, where she majored in English and History. Attucks was the first place where she was affectionately known as “Giggles”, a nickname that she continued to live up to even through her journey with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Rodney James Stantley on April 3, 1954. This union blessed them with one child, Cindi but they also treated their niece and nephew Joyce & James like their other two kids. Rodney preceded her in death November 2009.
At an early age, Janie professed a faith in Jesus where she was baptized at Mount Paran Baptist Church where her mother and grandmother attended. Many years later, she joined her daughter at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist where sh...[more]
as very dedicated member. She served faithfully on the Courtesy committee and was always willing to lend a hand or be supportive to any other ministry upon request. Janie was always impeccably dressed and her Christian life was beautiful as the stylish clothes she wore.
In 1953 Janie became an employee of Indiana Bell Telephone Company where she started as Telephone Operator. What began as just a “job” turned in to a very successful career. Her outgoing personality, engaging smile along with her natural business savvy, and attention to detail, afforded her the opportunity for numerous professional advancements.
She retired at the youthful age 50 when she was a District Manager subsequently breaking the ceiling for others to follow in her footsteps.
Janie was also very active in the community. She was on the board of Flanner House for many years while also volunteering at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Additionally, she was on the board of the Crooked Creek community organization known as C4. She had a variety of hobbies and interests that included music, travel, reading and fitness. She was an avid walker. She completed 9 Indianapolis 500 Mini Marathons and participated in a variety of other competitions annually. She continued to compete well in to her mid seventies. Not only did she always finish each race, she was often time the top seed in her age group. She was also a lifetime member of the ATT&T Pioneers.
After a longtime battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Janie quietly departed this life at home on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 in the care of her daughter and son-in-law.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her daughter and son-in-law, Cindi (Jethroe) Knazze of Gulfport, Mississippi, grandchildren; Lisa (Walter) Washington of Chicago, Illinois, Quita Knazze of Indianapolis, niece and nephew, Joyce Lockridge & James Lockridge (the “other” kids), the grand puppy, Kobe Knazze and the grand kitty, Amare Knazze plus a host of other nieces & nephews, cousins and friends.
As a result of Janie’s generous spirit and pleasant personality, she was loved by many and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., at Crown Hill Funeral Home, with visitation from 11:00 a.m.
Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery
Indianapolis, IN 46208
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