Janice Marie Cooper Tripp was a resident of Orleans. She was born in Eureka on January 11, 1941 and entered into the presence of the Lord on February 14, 2022 in Napa. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Orleans and a Yurok Tribal Member.

Her first marriage was to Richard Marshall, Sr. and produced her only child, Richard Marshall, Jr. She was widowed at a young age. In 1969, she married Burl J. Barnes. Throughout the 1970s they had a ministry amongst the Seminole people in Florida, eventually moving back to California to be close to family. They served the Lord together in Hoopa for many years until Burl’s passing in 1993.

Janice had a special place in her heart for children and loved teaching Sunday School. She learned American Sign Language (ASL) in order to minister to a young deaf boy in her class. This eventually led to a position as a Teacher’s Aid in the local elementary school as she attended classes with the child to translate his school lessons into sign language. She stayed by his side until he eventually transferred to a school for the deaf.

She was a wonderful vocalist and musician, and like every other gift, she used her talents to serve the Lord. Besides music, she enjoyed doing native crafts, needlework, gardening, canning and preserving many types of food. She was blessed by family and friends who generously provided her with fruits, vegetables, fish, deer meat, wild berries, mushrooms, etc. She loved gathering acorns and processing them for soup and in the summer, her smokehouse was usually full and the smell of smoldering alder permeated her yard. Nothing ever went to waste, and she was always happy to share the bounty with others, especially those in need.

On February 14, 2010, Janice married Merlin Tripp, Sr. They made their home in Orleans. They enjoyed 11 wonderful years together until his passing in August 2021. Janice passed away on Valentine’s Day, their 11th anniversary.

Janice is survived by siblings; Wayne (Ginny) Cooper of Willcox, Arizona; Patricia (Richard) Bonacci of Redding; Jean (Terry) Ramos of Brentwood; Stephanie (Jack) Whittington of O’Brien; John (Mary Lou) Marshall of Hoopa; and James (Julie) Marshall of Vancouver, Wash. She is survived by a stepson, “Chip,” and his siblings. There are also many surviving cousins, nieces and nephews. She was “Auntie” and “Grandma” to many, far too many to list by name, just know that you were all loved and appreciated. She was preceded in death by her parents, Amos Cooper and Winifred Cripe Marshall; her beloved son, Richard “Richie” Marshall, Jr. and brother Robert Marshall, Jr.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all those who helped Jan in numerous ways and were there for her when she needed you the most. Thank you.

A Celebration of Life Service followed by a pot luck meal/barbecue will be held at 11 a.m. on June 25, 2022 at Janice’s former homesite on Mill Creek Road in Hoopa. Feel free to bring your comfy folding chairs.

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