Janice Sutton Manassa

Janice Sutton Manassa of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away from complications due to Covid-19 on December 14, 2020. A beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Janice was a generous, wise, loving and inspiring presence. Born on July 25th, 1938 and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Janice was the daughter of the late Joseph Lester Sutton and Mary Grace Barfield. She attended St. Mary’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.

Upon graduation, Janice married and moved to Jacksonville, Florida. She was the first headmistress of The Early Learning Center at San Jose Episcopal Day School. She was a true educator and was often featured in the Florida Times-Union for her innovative teaching skills and for inspiring a passion for learning and a life of integrity for her students. Her favorite quote by Alexander Pope, “A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep or taste not the Pierian Spring”, exemplified her lifelong quest for knowledge in everything from fine arts, to politics, and history.

Janice was also a very successful Realtor for over 30 years as an agent for Sam Folds Realty and Watson Realty until starting her own company, Janice Manassa Realty, LLC. She was a member of the Garden Club of Jacksonville and Southside United Methodist Church and devoted much of her time to civic and educational groups as a volunteer. Janice was appointed to the Fourth Judicial Court as a Hearing Officer by the State Attorney’s Office. Janice was also a longtime member of the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and its Ladies Golf Association

Janice had many interests, teaching herself to sail, ski, sew beautiful clothes for her children, play golf and bridge, paint and garden. She loved to travel and visited Spain, France and Russia. She enjoyed her annual trips to Palm Beach for art shows and loved her many golf trips in the southeast with her cherished friends. Janice was happiest at Ponte Vedra Beach, playing bridge on the patio with dear friends, entertaining family or participating in golf tournaments. Her greatest passion, however, was raising her three daughters and watching her beloved grandchildren grow up. Her trademark smile, fun-loving and fighting spirit, and generous heart will be forever missed.

Janice is survived by her three loving and devoted daughters, Lynn Mickler Fox, Leslie Mickler Grubin (Marty), and Claire Mickler Hackett (Chip), as well as her six grandchildren, Andrew Fox, Lindsay Wong, Davis and Jack Grubin, and Grace and Ray Hackett. Janice is also survived by her brother Ben Sutton (Marilyn), of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and nieces Blair Craig and Christine Arnold and nephew Jason Sutton.

Contributions in Janice’s memory may be made to the Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309. www.give.shepherd.org.