Janie Rose Martin's Obituary
Our beloved Janie passed away on September 14, 2020 in Garland, TX, after a brave battle with cancer. She was born July 15, 1951 to parents Fred B. Ray and Gertrude Irene Taylor in Odessa, TX.
Janie was preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband, Kerry; and her daughter, Diana Rose.
She is survived by her daughter, Kara and husband, Kevin; her grandson and light of her life, Knox; brother, Fred Ray and wife, Sharon of Granbury, TX; sister, Gwen LaCroix of Garland, TX; and brother-in-law, Robert LaCroix of Rowlett, TX. She is also survived by countless family and friends who will miss her greatly.
Janie was a proud graduate of Permian High School in Odessa, TX. After graduating she moved to Dallas, where she met Kerry. They lived and worked for a short time in Alexandria, VA, where their favorite pastime was cheering and screaming for the Dallas Cowboys. (Much to the annoyance of the neighbors in their apartment building.)
When they returned to Dallas, Janie worked at Nelson International, and later for Eckerd. After becoming a mom she chose to stay at home, and continued enjoying her hobbies such as playing cards and pinball, working crossword puzzles, growing beautiful plants and flowers, making ceramics, keeping up with Days of Our Lives (she watched it from day one), and ensuring that every bird and squirrel in her yard would have something good to eat.
Spending time with Janie meant that you were having fun, as in laugh-until-your-sides-are-hurting fun. If there was music playing, she was probably dancing. If friends came over, she made enough of her famous tacos to feed a small army. And if somebody needed help, she was there, whether it was volunteering in the office at Hickman Elementary, attending a PTA meeting, or listening to somebody who needed to be heard. Later in life, she loved serving alongside her friends at American Legion Post 368. After her grandson was born, Janie fully embraced her new title of “Nana.” She would travel to see him and help care for him almost every week, and loved soaking up every minute of their time together.
Janie never met a stranger in her life. You could always count on her to find the humor in any situation. And while she was fine with dressing up and going out for a fancy dinner, she was just as happy (or maybe even happier) when she was tubing down the San Marcos river, having nachos at the Rangers game, or sharing a turkey leg with friends next to Big Tex.
Janie Rose was a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother and friend. We loved her real big, and she will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be held Sunday, September 20, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas; a graveside service will take place Monday, September 21, at 11 a.m.
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