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Obituary and life story submitted by the family.

J

anice Frazier Coakley died after a short illness April 18, 2024 at Carolina East Hospital in New Bern, NC.

Janice was born on November 25, 1960 in Williamsburg, VA. She was a graduate of Lafayette High School, then graduated Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology.

As a child, she had a deep love for animals and she spent her career working with animals in several places: Busch Gardens, Virginia Living Museum, several veterinarian offices, and at the Houston Zoo and North Carolina Zoo as a Veterinarian Tech.

She was a member of the Humane Society of Randolph County for over 30 years, serving as president and treasurer. Janice advocated for the spay/neuter clinic that she helped establish there, and that continues today.

Janice with her twin sister Virginia, while Janice worked with the Clydesdales of Busch Gardens in the 1980s.

Her home housed many cats, dogs, turtles, ferrets, frogs and goats who she either rescued or fostered. She worked endlessly to find forever homes for the pets.

In 2019, Janice retired to Oriental, NC after 27 years of devoted and dedicated service.

Janice and her friend Paige along the Neuse River in 2023.

She was predeceased by her mom and dad, Martha and Richard Coakley. She leaves behind a loving family, including her twin sister Virginia and her husband Howard Price, foster daughter Stacey Scott and grandson Colton Wise who will greatly miss her.

A celebration service will be held on June 7 at 2p at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. The service can also be viewed on the Williamsburg United Methodist Church Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Human Society or to an animal charity of your choice.

Posted Wednesday May 15, 2024 by Allison DeWeese