Dr. Janice Coleman

On March 23, 1950 in New York City, a phenomenal woman was born to Irene Smiley Lark and Frederick Lark. Even as a child, it was evident that Janice was a little girl with big dreams that would make them proud one day. She grew up on Couch Street in Queens with her three sisters and two brothers, along with extended family throughout the city. Since Irene was quite active at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church near their home, Janice attended school there and would walk to and from school (in the snow, uphill both ways of course). After excelling in her studies at a private high school in Manhattan, she bid farewell to New York, boarded a bus to Howard University in Washington, DC, and never looked back. At Howard she studied zoology and met some students in the Angel Flight club that became her lifelong friends. After graduation, she returned to New York for medical school at Stony Brook University in Long Island, and spent her last summer before graduation at a rural medical clinic in Marianna, Arkansas. It was there that she ran into a young graduate student from Louisiana named Clarence who was very smart, very country, and very determined to win her heart. It worked, and they were married 10 months later in New York, surrounded by their closest friends and family. After completing her medical residency in Alabama, Janice gave birth to their first daughter Tracey Michelle, and moved to Columbia, South Carolina where she began paving the way for a life of inspiration, support, and generosity within the community there. She launched her career as an attending physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Three years later, they welcomed their second daughter, Kelley DeAnne. And after getting both kids out of diapers and off to school while working full-time (whew!) Janice began the work of fulfilling her dreams of owning a private medical practice. As the only African-American female OB-GYN in Columbia at the time, Janice quickly became a highly sought-after physician, known across the region for her care, compassion and commitment to excellence in her practice. Simply put, Dr. Coleman was one of the best. Ranked as one of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors in South Carolina, she was known for her willingness to take on difficult cases, and for the loving support of her patients beyond the walls of her practice. While in private practice, she continued her association with USC as clinical faculty and held medical leadership positions, including chief of the OB-GYN service at Richland Memorial hospital. She was a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the S.C. Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. Janice loved practicing medicine, and her patients loved her for it, with many remaining with her until she retired from medicine in 2017. Outside of work Janice was a devoted mother, supporting her daughters in activities from weekly music lessons and church choir performances to Girl Scout meetings, marching band performances, Jack & Jill events, cheerleading competitions, track and cross country meets, and a myriad of other academic and social activities. She was known for her infamous hand-decorated cartoon-themed birthday cakes for the girls when they were young (Cabbage Patch and The Smurfs were their favorites). And as they grew older, she somehow managed to fulfill every last-minute request from school project supplies to being volunteered by her daughters to hand-sew their color guard costumes (she was that good!) Through it all she remained a devoted member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, serving as a member of the sacristy ministry and a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. She was an active member of the Columbia Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and cherished the time serving the community with her Links sisters. In her free time, Janice enjoyed reading, sewing, soap-making, gardening, and following the travel adventures of her children and grandchildren on social media. She was a source of light, love and inspiration to all who knew her. And always encouraged people to reach for the stars, continue their education, and believe the mantra her mother instilled in her that “nothing is too good for you.” She and Clarence celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 1, 2024, and he was by her side until her sunset on January 22, 2025. Dr. Janice Lark Coleman is survived by her husband Clarence Coleman Jr, PhD, her children Mrs. Tracey Mutombo (David) and Mrs. Kelley Nduom (Edjah); her siblings Mrs. Cynthia Roper, Mr. Jeffrey Haroz, Mr. John Moore, and Ms. Charlene Plummer; her grand-children Joseph and Emily Nduom, and Zuri Mutombo; her nephews Mr. Jayson Roper, Mr. Justin Lark, Mr. Jordan Haroz, Mr. Jared Haroz, Mr. Justin Haroz, and a host of cousins and friends. Flowers may be sent to Palmer’s Memorial Chapel in Columbia, SC, and donations in her memory may be made to CurePSP or Food for the Poor online.

Dr. Janice Coleman

March 23, 1950 - January 22, 2025