She was a ball of hilarity. She'd run around making people laugh. During her time in service, she lit everyone up, from what I heard. That's Janelle in a complete nutshell. She lived her life from one passionate whim to another.
— LaVeta King, cousin
The eldest daughter of an Air Force official, King was born in Altus, Okla., and lived in California, Panama and Hawaii. Military officials reported that she died in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident but have not released further details. Her father recalled her as an aspiring EMT, who tore through books in three days that most people might take months to read.

16 memories of Janelle

I loved Janelle so much, she was my best friend,and we spoke whenever we can,she was honest and caring and very outgoing, I am going to truly miss her.

— Calie Fields
August 21, 2008 at 6:40 a.m.

she was a great person and a great soldier you will always be remember!!!! god bless your heart!!!

— tee baby
August 21, 2008 at 8:10 p.m.

Janelle used to call me "Peanut Head" cuz she said my head was little, we always got in trouble in her grandma's sunday school class! I loved Janelle and I love her family and am praying for them during this time of grieving. I know my sister is in heaven~

— Jasmine
August 22, 2008 at 9:15 a.m.

Thanks Janelle for your sacrafice for me and my family and for our country. Thanks also to Jemecia both for this sacrafice and for your service to our country. Our prayers are with you and your family.

— Steve
August 22, 2008 at 1:26 p.m.

I remember that, at first, Janelle and I would clash. It took me a minute to realize that it was because of our similarities (like stubborness) and our differences that made us the way we are. But at the end of the day, we both wanted the same thing. We wanted to be soldiers and medics.
I remember coming in stressed out about a test and not thinking I would make it any further. Janelle and I had clashed that morning, but by that evening all was forgotten. As I sat there worried with a frown on my face, Janelle (King) came across the bay wearing a pink wig and strutting around in her ACUs while another soldier, K. Jackson, sat there calling out her outfit like she was on the runway. Every single one of us smiled. Baby girl, no matter what, you will never be forgotten. And no matter what we've been through, we all love you and will miss you dearly.

— Dasha
August 23, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.

King was the one thing that kept me going through Basic Training and AIT. King, Jackson and I did everything together. She was an amazing person. No matter what was going on she could put a smile on your face. She was the greatest friend I could have asked for. She will always hold a special place in my heart. Some of the greatest memories of my life are owed to her. I love you girl. My prayers are with her family.

— shana
August 23, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.

We will keep u in our memories. Still remember in basic how we uuse to sneak snack into the barracks. I miss u a lot girl. I knw your in a better place n u will b missed!

— shaunte crawford
August 24, 2008 at 10:21 a.m.

Janelle, What can I say... I agree with dasha we definitely had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day Janelle would act a fool and make every one of us crack up. We had so many amazing memories in basic and AIT that will never be forgotten... Always loved, forever missed...

— Amanda Lloyd
August 25, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

I love you and miss janelle and i will never be able to forget you. thank you for every thing

— Amaury Ortiz
August 25, 2008 at 7:47 p.m.

Janelle would always make the effort to find me and make me dance with her because it made her laugh and I was known to her as her "Soldier boy", UUUUUUUUUU. You'll be missed greatly Janelle.

— Ryan Ditchey
August 25, 2008 at 8:16 p.m.

Hey Janelle, remember at Grandpa's house how you made me take caffiene pills with you so we could stay up till the sun rose? And then we thought we were gonna die of an overdose? We were only like 11. You were my best friend when we were little, the only one who could beat me up. I love and miss you so much it hurts. I can't believe you're gone. Those poor soldiers are lacking their daily dose of laughter, I know it. You will be missed baby. I will see you again one day. Until then, haunt my dreams. Muah. "VV"

— LaVeta King (Cousin)
August 29, 2008 at 1:40 p.m.

Janelle was always one to make people smile, even after a bad day. We all had our bad days in Basic and AIT, but we all pulled through. I remember the pink wig, like Dasha was saying, especially Halloween in AIT. She and I both dressed up along with one other person, and everyone got their fill of pictures (and the drill sergeants got a pretty good laugh too!). I used to joke around in AIT that she might have been a stripper before joining the Army, because she would roll the waist of her shorts so they were short and roll up her shirt like a crop top, then go strutting down the bay with her headphones on, dancing, screaming and having a good old time! You will definitely not be forgotten Janelle, and you will be greatly missed.

— Heather Hughes
September 6, 2008 at 1:09 p.m.

One can not express enough sorrow for Janelles's family. Our heart and Prayers are only a small feeling of the Grief of her family and friends.We only have One Connection we are both Americans. I thank Janelle for her love of country and SERVICE for us ALL. Thank You

— Robert beall
October 5, 2008 at 1:09 p.m.

mrs.janelle was a friend of my moms and she died two weeks befor i started school again i am in the sixth grade and shes like my aunt and i miss her so much when she came to one of our bbqs in texas she made all of us lagh but mostly had a big inpact on my 18 year old sister she is always in my prayers love you always you little sister autym

— AUTYM SCALES
January 11, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.

I am also a combat medic like you Janelle. When I saw you on Nancy Grace, my heart just feels sadness...I have crossed paths with you before....I remember you so well....I believe we were in Ft Sam Houston, Tx.(2007). Unfortunately, I did not know you as well as others, but I wish I did. God bless your family and friends and may their memories of you last forever.
February 1,2009

— vicki mason
February 1, 2009 at 11:44 p.m.

Baby Girl,
I still remember all the times in the bay me n you would laugh n talk. I miss the crazy things you used to do and the way everyone would get so mad at you when you would come in and be loud and how I would take you back to your bunk and try to bribe you into going to sleep and then we would just laugh. I still can't believe you're gone. You will forever stay in my heart and mind. I Love You!

— Spc. Guerrero
September 18, 2009 at 5:53 a.m.

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