- Date Of Birth: April 29, 1957
- Date Of Death: March 20, 2023
- State: Maryland
Jan Johnson Riley was born on April 29, 1957, in Gaithersburg, MD to the late Laurence Melvin Johnson and Eudora Belle Sellman. The fifth of eleven siblings, she grew up with a large extended family in the close-knit Emory Grove neighborhood. She was a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and would often say the Emory Grove community and family were what propelled her to succeed. She was called home to the Lord on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Jan was educated in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), graduating from Gaithersburg High School in 1975. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bowie State University in 1980 and a Master of Education degree in School Administration from Bowie years later. In 1977, Jan pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Delta Chapter. Known as “Mad Jan” or “Dr. Funkenstein” to her sorors, Jan was cherished for her kindness, humor, and leadership.
During her undergraduate years at Bowie, Jan met her former husband, the late Darryl Riley, Sr. They married in 1984 and their union produced two children. Jan’s dedication to her family was evident and her unwavering love for and support of her children and grandchildren carried on the great legacy of the Johnson-Sellman family. Motherhood came naturally to Jan, as she had a hand in raising her younger siblings. Jan had a special way of cultivating meaningful relationships that drew the adoration and respect of those around her.
From 1982, Jan worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Rockville, MD before leaving to follow her career goals as an educator in MCPS. From 1988 – 2000, she taught at Fields Road Elementary School (ES) in Gaithersburg, MD and Farmland ES in Rockville, MD until she was promoted to Assistant Principal. In 1998, she was recognized by the Montgomery County Educator’s Association as an “Unsung Hero” for her development and leadership of an after school enrichment program for struggling students. In fact, this was just one of many acknowledgments by city, county, and state leaders of Jan’s excellence as an educator.
From 2000 – 2003, Jan served as Assistant Principal for Wayside ES in Potomac, MD and Charles Drew ES in Silver Spring, MD. In 2003, Jan accepted a Principal position at Brown Station ES in Gaithersburg, MD, which she held until 2010. At Brown Station, Jan continued her streak of knowing every student by name, focusing on the academic achievement of ALL students, and of treating every child, faculty member, and staff member with respect and consideration. Thus, it was no surprise that Brown Station was awarded the Character Counts award by the City of Gaithersburg under her leadership.
In 2010, Jan took on the prestigious position of Consulting Principal with Montgomery County’s Professional Growth Systems Department. After three years, she stepped down to spend the remainder of her time with MCPS as a Professional Development Evaluator, until her retirement in 2014.
In her retired years, Jan was able to focus on those she loved the most.
Jan lived a life overflowing with love. We, the living, can take comfort in knowing she is still being loved and cared for as she rests in the arms of her mother and grandmother, whom she yearned to see again.
Jan is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Garry Johnson; her brother-in-law, Herman Morgan; and her sister-in-law, Viola Sellman (née Harriday).
She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Lauryn Riley Carr and Darryl Riley, Jr.; her grandchildren, Khalil Riley, Aaliyah Carr, and Amira Carr; her siblings, Deidre Morgan, Kevin Sellman, Sr., Conrad Sellman, Wayne Johnson (Kim), Penny Johnson Knowles (Adrian), Joyce Sellman, Bryon Sellman (Helen), Sandy Sellman, and Christie Sellman; and a host of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
To
