Phereby Janie Deans was born on October 17, 1878, in Johnston County, North Carolina. She was the only daughter of Survenia (marriage indexes and census records have various spellings including Louvenia, Lavenia, Luvinia, Launennia, Louvennia, Susenia, Savina, Suvenia, Surxina, Vine) "Vinie" Beasley Deans (born April 1846 and died after Jan. 19, 1920) and Joseph Deans. Janie's parents married on December 23, 1867 in the home of Survenia's father, Isaac Deans, in Johnston County North Carolina. Survenia is last found in the 1920 census as a 75 year old widow living in the home of her nephew, Roy "Red" Byrd, his wife Jennie and their eight children in Elevation Township (Four Oakes), Johnson County, NC. Red was the son of Survenia's sister Tilsy Harriet Beasley Byrd.

Janie is the maternal granddaughter of Phereby Roberts Beasley, born 1816/1817 in Johnston County, North Carolina and David Isaac Beasley (27987789), a blacksmith, born 1805/1806 in North Carolina. Phereby and Isaac were married July 7, 1829 and their children were Ashley, Thomas, Louisa, Jane, Adrian, Harriet, Survenia, William, Anna, Edith, Isaac, Joseph, John, and Manda.

Janie Deans' paternal grandparents were Jesse(?) and Nancy Deans.

Janie, age 18, married Isaiah Stephenson on December 2, 1896 in Johnston County North Carolina and they lived in Willow Springs, North Carolina.

Isaiah and Janie were the parents of nine daughters (and spouses): Mina Vera Stephenson Holt (Lonnie M. Holt), Cumella Stephenson, Mamie Elgie Stephenson Godwin (Paul Bernard Godwin), Naomi Ruth Stephenson Hicks (William Norman Hicks), Essie Stephenson, Floy Leona Stephenson Clifton Stewart (Paul Lincoln Clifton), Melba May Stephenson, Mary Brookie Stephenson Stancil (Victor Stancil), and Ruby Lucile Stephenson Parrish (T. W. Parrish). Two sons: William Earl Stephenson (Beulah Leafy Flowers Stephenson) and James Isaac Stephenson (Vivian Gregory Stephenson).

Janie passed away on March 7, 1928 and was buried at Rehobeth Primitive Baptist Church next to her husband Isaiah. She was dearly loved and respected by her family.