Janice Doris Brownfield, 84, of McKeesport, PA, came into this world on November 29, 1940, in the town of Evergreen, NC. She was the beloved, firstborn daughter of Rester Moses Smith Sr. and Eula Stephens Smith.

The Smith family moved to Duquesne, PA when Janice, her older brother Hubert, and two younger sisters Brenda Joyce and Mary Joan were little children. The other children in the family (Rester Jr., Susan, and Daryl were all born in the family’s adopted hometown. Janice was the oldest girl in a family of seven children, and she attended school in the city of Duquesne along with her siblings.

She was joined in marriage with Meredith Brownfield at a young age and gave birth to four daughters: Beverly, Meredith “Rita”, Pamela, and Kimberly. While raising her family, Janice worked in the retail business as a cashier at the GC Murphy company and A&P Grocery stores, and eventually became a well-loved hairdresser. Through love and sacrifice, she raised and contributed her all into multiple generations of her family, with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Janice grew up attending her family church, Macedonia Missionary Baptist in Duquesne, PA, and became a lifelong member of Bethlehem Baptist Church when she married into the Brownfield Family. She had a lovely voice and enjoyed singing as a member of various Bethlehem choirs. She was also an active member of the Roses of the Dawn social organization.

Janice was an avid reader with a lifelong love of books. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed trying new recipes. Janice was gifted in many ways, sewing beautiful clothing items for her family and her home, and actually had a hidden talent as an artist. She loved entertaining and would almost always have a house full of people in her home on the weekends. Janice was dearly loved and cherished by many, and her unique presence in this life and her sweet, dimpled smile will be sorely missed.

Janice departed this life on May 12, 2025, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents; father, Rester Moses Smith, Sr, mother, Eula Stephens Smith; husband, Meredith A. Brownfield; daughters, Beverly Brownfield and Merredith Brownfield; bonus son, Meredith Williams; siblings, Hubert Stephens, Rester Smith, Jr., Brenda Joyce Tucker, Mary Joan White, and Daryl Newby.

Janice is survived by her two beloved daughters, Pamela Brownfield, Kimberly Brownfield-Perkins, bonus daughter, Dr. Terri Williams Huston; and nephew, Tyrone Brownfield, two grandsons, Terrance Brownfield, Anton Perkins; great-granddaughter, Briauna Brownfield; great-grandson, Terrance Brownfield, Jr., dearly beloved sister, Susan Jones Leech; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.