Janet Washington (Lansing)

Janet Gwyn Christian Washington was born June 16, 1960, in Birmingham, Alabama to James Aurelious Christian and Cleola Clark Christian. She was the 7th of 11 children. In 1971, at the age of 10, she moved to Lansing, Michigan, along with her mother and siblings.

Janet accepted Jesus as her personal Savior while in Birmingham. She united with Union Missionary Baptist Church in 1971, under the pastorate of Rev. Charles J. Patterson and Pastor Melvin T. Jones, Sr. where she served as a long-standing member. She sang in the Young Adult Choir, Inspirational Choir, Mass Choir, and on the Praise Team; she danced with the Vessels of Judah Dance Ministry and sewed their praise garments. She was also the Women’s Ministry Director, Women’s Bible Study Teacher, and participated in Baptist Training Union (BTU). She played on the church softball and basketball teams; and was part of the theatrical ministry. She accepted her call to the gospel preaching ministry in the Fall of 2008 and preached her Licensure Sermon on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at Union Missionary Baptist Church, and was granted her ministry license by her Pastor, Rev. Melvin T. Jones.

Janet attended Lansing Public Schools, graduated from Everett High School in 1978, and attended Michigan State University. While in high school she excelled academically, ran track, and played volleyball. Athletically inclined, after high school she also played on the Magic Johnson softball team.

Janet was the proud mom to Courtney and Alexandria. They describe her as an ultimate warrior, equipped with the word of God, tried and true; anointed, regal (chosen) and steady. They attribute some of their favorite parts of themselves to her – her creativity and demeanor; the gift of sewing, intelligence, and love of reading. She was a provider and protector; survivor; exceptional. While she was known to be serious, she was witty, had a dry sense of humor, with an infectious laugh. She was grateful, so much so that when she was looking for a parking spot she would exclaim “thank You Lord for the favor!” To this day they now use it as “the cheat code” to parking. 

On March 26, 2010, Michael Washington approached Janet. There was a peace about her. He was attracted to her demeanor and anointing, not to mention, she was pleasant to his eyes. She and Micheal joined in holy matrimony on May 21, 2011. According to the Word, as his wife she was his good thing and he received favor from the Lord (Proverbs 18:22). She was solid, loyal, and had a spirit of excellence. She left a lot of seeds. Seeds die and they germinate again, you’ve got to feed them. She desired to leave a spiritual inheritance.

Janet retired from Michigan Education Association (MEA) Financial Services. During her tenure, she studied insurance and her goal was to learn as much as she could. Although challenging, as with other obstacles in her life, she didn’t complain and never gave up – she followed through and wouldn’t stop until finished. While there, she excelled, received multiple promotions and retired in January 2014 at the young age of 53.

After retirement, in October 2014, Janet and Michael relocated to Lawrenceville, GA where they united with Live Free Church; she was entrusted to serve as the Seniors Ministry Director. When that assignment ended, Janet and Michael united with Hopewell Missionary Church, where she was an associate minister as well as a teacher in the church’s Bible Institute discipleship program. Janet was also a teacher, leader and facilitator in a local Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She volunteered as a counselor at the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett County, and did ministry, along with her husband, at a Senior Assisted Living facility in Lawrenceville. 

Just as in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Janet used her talents, worked as unto the Lord, and they were multiplied. She was a Bible Scholar, a walking concordance. If she didn’t know the answer, she would research and get back with you. She was devoted to daily devotionals. She did not just read them, but she studied to show herself approved, and did not need to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). She exegeted and even developed new devotions from the devotions she read! Her two favorite Scriptures were 1 Corinthians 2:9 and Ephesians 3:20.

She was an author, writer, and put words together so eloquently. She often spoke or did readings at Homegoing services for loved ones, which, in essence, served as their eulogy.

Janet paid attention to detail, operated in a spirit of excellence, was considerate and thoughtful. She was self-motivated as proven in being a self-taught seamstress and quilter. These traits were exemplified in gift-giving in making quilts for loved ones. She and Michael worked together to customize and personalize gifts for their siblings with encouraging words specifically for the recipient.

Janet was a gatherer; she loved family and bringing them together. With Michael’s influence, she started the annual Sister Retreats with her biological sisters. At the first one at her home in Georgia, they talked about goals, experiences, and things to do to be closer to God. During the COVID Pandemic, at her husband’s encouragement, Janet began leading a monthly, ZOOM Family Fellowship with her siblings, as well as the extended family of her children, nieces, nephews, and cousins, which is currently still going strong. Janet was a teachable teacher. Janet had an aversion to nursing homes and hospitals, however, Mike helped stretch her out of her comfort zone, as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). Together, Michael and Janet provided care to Michael’s parents and Janet’s father until their last days. 

Janet was an orator that spoke with confidence in a cadence that kept the audience’s attention. Janet was an exhorter – an authentic cheerleader who discerned in others what they may not have seen in themselves. As instructed in 2 Timothy 1:6-7, she stirred up the gifts on the inside of people. She loved praying for others, and spending time with family.

Minister Washington mentored and held people accountable. Her passion concerning God’s people was to see them walking in the fullness of all that Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. She loved the Word of God, knowing that it has the inherent power within it to transform lives, and impact our world. She loved hard, yet gently. She demonstrated excellence and integrity. She was strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesian 6:10-12). She was admired and respected by many, more than she may have known. In her words, action, deeds, and demonstration of love, Janet always directly or indirectly pointed you back to The Father. While there will be a void by her absence in the earth realm, we are grateful for her example, for the seeds she has sown and watered. She leaves a legacy of love. She was gifted to teach, anointed to preach, but considered it her highest calling, to serve.

She was preceded in death by her father, James A. Christian; siblings, Reginald (Rosa Marie) Christian, Sr. and Dorothy Mae (Timothy) Jenkins.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Michael; son, Courtney (Rosaria Matina) Rodgers; daughter, Alexandria (Theron) Williams; three stepchildren, Tyreece Washington, Nicole Washinton, and Craig Washington; grandchildren, Theron Izaiah Williams, Judah Washington, Noah Washington, and Brooklyn Washington; mother, Cleola Crawford; twin sister and wombmate, Janice Christian; brothers, Alfred (Stella) Christian, James (Carrie) Christian, and Aurelious Christian; sisters, Freddie Jean Perdue, Virginia Carolyn Turner, DeAquanita Christian, Jamie (Wilbert) Christian-Parker; two brothers-in-law, James (Robbie) Washington, Calvin (Gina) Washington; and sister-in-law, Tracy Miller; uncle, William (Willie) Christian; aunts, Vera and Leola; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special friends Ken and Shariah Lewis, Jeff Anglin, and Andrew Blue.