Janet Dunston, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and beloved friend went to glory on March 6, 2020 in her home in Providence, RI. Janet was born on August 3, 1933 in Wendell, NC to the late Mr. Wiley Smith and to the late Mrs. Mittie Smith. Janet better known as “Toma” was the widow of the late Elijah Dunston. She attended Wake County School Systems in North Carolina. Janet relocated to Rhode Island in 1950 and devoted numerous years to Charlesgate Nursing Center as a Certified Nurse’s Aide.

Janet was a member of Saint Matthew Church under Elder Daniel Hogue’s leadership. After the passing of Elder Hogue, Janet joined New Hope Church of the Living God, under Bishop Benjamin Dickerson. She was also a faithful servant to United First Born Church, lead by her uncle Claude Jefferies. Before she went to glory she was attending Faith and Deliverance TOG in East Providence, RI under the pastorship of Bishop Patricia B. Smith. Janet fervently served in the music ministry almost her entire life. It made her soul happy to minister through song. She loved the opportunity to belt her angelic yet powerful voice to all. Janet was a lead vocalist in numerous gospel groups and choirs. In the 1980’s, Janet and her mother had a traditional family gospel group, where they rotated their children and grandchildren as the years passed. They wore matching outfits and traveled around RI to sing. Boy, did the children love to wear those matching outfits. Janet was also a lead singer in a recording gospel group based out of Youngsville, NC. Janet loved the Lord and became an ordained Minister in the 1990’s in Zebulon, NC. She was a prayer warrior and would literally pray for hours. Toma had a sweet yet sassy and feisty persona; that is what made her one of kind. She would chastise you and then give you the shirt off her back. Janet’s personality was unique and her smile was infectious. She made an impression on everyone she encountered.

Janet enjoyed making her delicious meals and feeding her family and friends. She took pride in her culinary skills and could make any dish from scratch. She was known for her infamous homemade biscuits, lemon pepper chicken, butter roll, and her mother Mittie’s made from scratch famous rainbow chocolate cake. She also loved to give every intricate detail on how she prepared her meals.

Janet was an incredible mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many. She will be missed tremendously. Although, we miss her on earth with us, we know her place as an Angel, is in Heaven with the Lord.

Janet leaves behind two loving daughter’s Jennifer (Linward) Edwards and Tyona Dunston of Florence, SC. Janet had two grandson’s, Cordaé Dunston and Amir Edwards. She was preceded in death by her late husband Elijah Dunston, mother Mrs. Mittie Smith, father Mr. Wiley Smith, brothers, Edward Smith, Robert Smith, Herman Smith, Connie Smith, and her sisters, Alma Harris and Betty Dunn. She leaves behind to cherish loving memories, one brother Matthew Smith of Providence, RI.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 13th from 9am until 10am in Ebenezer Church, 475 Cranston St., Providence followed by a homegoing service at 10am. Burial will be in North Burial Ground, Providence.