Janae Chaka Thomas Marshall was larger than life. She had a big personality, a big heart, and a big voice. She was authentic, real, genuine.

She was a fun-loving woman who always had a kind word for anyone she encountered. A kind word – and an honest word. She was bold as a lion when necessary, and gentle as a lamb if need be.

Janae had a smile that would light up any room. She was strong willed and stubborn at times, but she also had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. She was the life of the party, family outing, workplace setting, church and more. She had a way of making all that were fortunate to be in her space feel seen, loved and heard.

She was born on February 12, 1983, to James Patrick and Julie Thomas. Janae was Julie's little "Treasure" - a loving and kind child who truly loved her sisters and family.

Janae grew up in the Oak Cliff and Grand Prairie area, attending Dickinson Elementary and Truman Middle School. She was a proud member of the graduating class of 2001 from South Grand Prairie High School, where she was a proud member of the Concert Choir. After graduation, Janae worked for Bank of America and later became a customer service specialist for Tela Performance. She loved her co-workers as family and treated them as such.

Janae was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church as a youth. During her early teen years, she became a member of Young Life, a youth ministry. She attended programs, outings and summer camps with her cousins and friends. This helped to strengthen and deepen her faith in Jesus Christ.

She later joined Christ Community Fellowship Church in DeSoto, TX with her parents under the direction of Pastor Kelvin W. Peterson and Frist Lady Michelle Peterson. She was a dedicated and valued member who served on the Usher Board, greeting everyone with kindness and a huge smile. She also sang in the Adult Choir, worked on the Hospitality Ministry and as an assistant with the Youth Ministry including assisting with the youth choir and Vacation Bible School.

Janae was the proud mother of James Javionne Thomas, a 2023 graduate of South Grand Prairie High School where his mom also graduated. They had a unique and special bond that showed the true love between a mother and son.

As a young teenager in 1997, Janae met Sedrick Marshall. They became friends and eventually lost touch before reuniting 15 years later in 2012. Each realized they had met the love of their lives, and they united in matrimony on July 10, 2022. As a couple they were both baptized in Jesus Name at Christ Community Fellowship.

Janae and Sedrick brought to their union Javionne and Sedrick's three beautiful children Kennedy, Trenden and Omari Marshall. Janae took pride in raising her children and teaching them life lessons to honor God and respect others.

Anyone who knew Janae, knew she absolutely loved music, and she deeply loved her family – adoring her parents and sharing a forever, unbreakable bond with her 3 sisters known affectionately by each other as their "sestras."

Her love extended to her many cousins and close friends, aunties and uncles and extended family.

The Lord called Janae home on August 21, 2024, at the age of 41. She was preceded in death, by her grandparents: Bobby Watkins Sr. and Clarence Sr. and Gloria Lee Thomas.

Janae leaves to cherish her memories her loving husband, Sedrick; children, Javionne, Kennedy, Trenden and Omari; parents, James and Julie Thomas; sisters, Jamie Thomas, Jashun Mitchell (Casey); Jessica (Dominique); grandmother, Dorothy Cooper; the children of her sisters - nephews and nieces who Janae called by special nicknames, Joseph (Joe-Joe), Jayda (Charlene), Jaiden (Blonde head), Joshua (Fat Daddy), Dominique, Jr. (Chocolate Baby), Jaxton (Aye Bay Bay), Journey (Journey Girl), Jordyn (Jorrrdyyyn), Caleb, Jr. (CJ); mother-inlaw and father-in-law, Don Sr. and Linda Marshall; brother-in-law, Don Marshall, Jr. (Marilyn), sister-in-law, Okye'sha Marshall-Smith; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and a church family she loved deeply.

Janae Chaka Marshall, a beacon of kindness and love, will forever reside in our hearts. Her legacy, exemplified by her service, love and compassion, will continue to inspire and guide us. As we grapple with the loss of her physical presence, we find solace in knowing that her spirit lives on through the memories and people she left behind.