On April 14, 1957, the late Handy and Hattie Janey welcomed the youngest of their children into this world, Shawn Kevin Janey. Shawn was very passionate about his love for his parents and on April 8, 2014, his spirit reunited with them eternally. Shawn was born and raised in West Baltimore and was the youngest of 8 children. He learned the importance of hard work at an early age; this was put to the test early in his life when both of his parents passed away while he was just a teenager. With the help of his brothers, he became an adult literally overnight and was faced with the task of obtaining a job, maintaining a home and paying bills on his own. This is JI where his workaholic nature derived. Shawn attended Harlem Park Middle School and graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1975. After graduation, Shawn married Maria Johnson on February 14, 1976 and from this union, their first daughter, Nikki, was conceived. Six years later, their family grew as their youngest daughter Tnia was born. Though their union dissolved, they maintained an amicable friendship and continued to raise their two children and five grandchildren together. Shawn lived his entire life in the Sandtown/Winchester community. He was widely known for coaching and mentoring many of the neighborhood's young males aged 7-16. He coached football, baseball and softball for Lillian Jones Recreation Center for over 15 years, taking his teams to local, regional and national championships countless times over the years and winning numerous awards and trophies. Even after he "retired" from coaching, he was still widely respected by those same youths (now adults) as "Coach Shawn". His other favorite sport was wrestling; he was a die-hard fan. He even raised his daughters on it at an early age; wrestling with them in the house, watching matches on TV, even attending events at the Baltimore Civic Center. Shawn spent the majority of his life as a truck driver. He worked for Hillen Tire, Central Delivery Service, and then FedEx for 22 years, until his health declined. He made numerous friends throughout the years, many of which always have a kind word or a funny story to tell about Shawn. One thing that ANYONE can agree on is that Shawn was a hard worker. Shawn loved his family and .would constantly express his happiness in experiencing milestones that his parents weren't able to. He saw both of his daughters graduate and start their own families. He attended T'nia's college graduation and Nikki's wedding. He was blessed to have 4 granddaughters and to be a part of their lives; a role he cherished since his own parents weren't able to see his children. He lived to see Brittney get her driver's permit. He saw Rayden and Jaylen graduate with top honors from middle school. He escorted Tae Yell to her cotillion and she even lived with him during her youth. The girls loved their "Pop Pop" immensely. They loved holidays, birthdays, family events, or just hanging out just to see their Pop Pop and enjoy his company. They especially loved the fact that he always provided them with candy or money, sometimes both. Those are truly his girls and they will truly miss him. In 2012, Shawn was blessed to see the birth of his only grandson, Xavier. It was the daughter's wishes to give him at least one grandson and it finally happened. He was able to attend Tae Yell and Xavier's Baptism and most recently, Xavier's 1st birthday party. Though he was feeling under the weather, he made it a point to be there for that milestone event. Shawn will be missed, but he will now be reunited with his family who preceded him in death. He joins his parents, Handy and Hattie Janey; his sisters, Louise and Erma Janey; his brothers, William and Donald Janey; his aunt, Rose Jones and his lifelong friend and brother, Carl Fleet. Continuing Shawn's legacy and memory are: his daughters, Nikki France and Tnia Janey; 1 son in law, Amahl France; 4 granddaughters: Brittney Edwards, Jaylen Edwards, Rayden Edwards and Tae Yell Mitchell; 1 grandson, Xavier McCalla; 4 step grandsons: DeQuan, Isaiah, Tremell and Josiah France; 2 brothers: Neal Janey, Sr. and Joseph Gandy; 1 sister: Violet Horsey; 3 nephews: Neal, Jr., Kevin and Devin Janey; 3 nieces: LaScheile Ross, LaNaya Brooks and Donna Thomas; 1 sister in law: Linda Janey; mother of his daughters: Maria Shaner; honorary son in law: Raymond Edwards; childhood and lifetime friend Ellen Yalley and a host of cousins, extended family and friends. Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Monday, April 14, 2014 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Tuesday, April 15, 2014 12:30 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Funeral to begin @ 1:00 pm Directions