Janice Smart Stansbury

Janice Smart Stansbury was born to Harold and Hope Smart on January 5, 1940 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Jan died peacefully at her home in Decatur, Georgia surrounded by those who loved her on January 16, 2022. Jan was a very proud American who remained proud of her Canadian roots. She grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and she spent many glorious summers with her grandparents in Yarmouth. Jan attended Cambridge High and Latin High School where she met her future husband, George Stansbury. After high school, Jan went to Wheelock College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, while George went into the military. They reconnected later and were married in 1963. Jan taught first grade for six years in the Boston area and for three years in East Lansing, Michigan where they moved when George enrolled in Michigan State University to work on a doctorate in education. Jan took great pride in teaching young children how to read while supporting her husband's pursuit of his Ph.D. Jan’s greatest joy were her two children, Matthew and Catherine. She was proud of all their accomplishments and was never happier than when she was in their company. Together with Dorothy Huenecke and her children, John and David, (Jan’s godchildren), they became the Hueneburys, a special family that also included Corey Dobyns; Lisa, Jake, and Mia Wilson; Eve and Elke Ehrgott and, more recently, Michelle Sissine. The family could always be counted on to celebrate all kinds of holidays and special occasions together. When her children were young, Jan ran an active baking business out of her home. Later she returned to teaching and substituted in the Dekalb County Schools at all levels until settling into a full time position in the English Department at Lakeside High School. Always an avid reader, Jan relished the extra time in retirement for reading mysteries. She also devoted countless hours to her backyard habitat for birds where feathered friends were welcome to feast on only the best. Jan also loved to travel and particularly enjoyed many Caribbean cruises and a long trip to Scotland with Dorothy, as well as an annual trip to Florida with her chosen family. Jan enjoyed the company of her loyal friends. She took great joy in the bonds she created living 50 years in the Leafmore and Oak Grove communities where she was able to watch her children and their childhood friends grow into adulthood and become parents. Often referred to as Mama Stans, she cherished the relationships she formed with Catherine and Matthew’s friends, which lasted a lifetime. Her door was always open if someone was looking for a good meal, conversation, or a place to call home. Jan was predeceased by her husband George, her brother Robert, her brother-in-law Michael Stansbury, and her daughter-in-law Debrah Stansbury.  Besides her children and godchildren, Jan leaves behind her sister-in-law Eileen Stansbury; her sister-in-law Janice Smart, nephew Raymond Smart and niece Joanne Smart; her cousin Sandy and wife Susanne Williams; cousin Barb Baker; and the west coast families of Kathy and Rusty Williams and Erin Williams Brenner, her husband Bucky and their children Cali and Cam. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Atlanta Girls’ School ( https://atlantagirlsschool.org/give/ ) or an animal charity of your choice. A  Celebration of Life will be held for Jan at a later time.