Dr. Janis Alene

Mayes

Dr. Janis Alene Mayes, born July 7, 1949, in Houston, Texas, departed this life on October 29, 2026. The beloved only child of Mary LaVerne Hadnott Mayes and Reverend Dr. Allen Mercer Mayes, she grew up in Beaumont, Texas, and Evanston, Illinois.

Dr. Mayes earned her B.A. from Fisk University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in French Studies from Brown University. In 1968, she was inducted into the Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., later achieving the distinction of 50-year Golden Soror.

Her distinguished academic career spanned decades of scholarship, teaching, and global leadership. She held her first academic appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of French and Comparative Literature at the University of Texas at Dallas. In 1982, she joined the faculty at Syracuse University, where she served until 2020 and became Professor Emerita of African American Studies. During her tenure, she chaired the department, served as President of the African Literature Association, sat on the board of the Toni Morrison Society, and held Fulbright Professorships at Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal and Université Nationale de Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan. As Founding Director of Syracuse’s Paris Noir summer program, she introduced generations of students to the cultural traditions of the African Diaspora in France.

An accomplished literary critic and multilingual translator, her scholarly output included five books—such as A Rain of Words—which amplified Black Francophone women writers for English-speaking audiences. She advised numerous doctoral dissertations and master’s theses, leaving an enduring legacy as an educator and mentor.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Janis is survived by her loving aunt, extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews, godsons, goddaughters, and a global network of cherished colleagues, friends, and former students.

Homegoing Celebration

Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

St. James United Methodist Church

2485 Blanchette Street, Beaumont, TX 77701

Burial to follow at Live Oak Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Allen Mercer Mayes & Laverne Hadnott Mayes Endowed Scholarship

Wiley University

Attn: Office of Alumni Relations

711 Wiley Ave., Marshall, TX 75670