Janice Turner

Janice Diane Turner, age 66 of Meridian, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2017, in Clifton, after a decades-long battle with diabetes.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at the Clifton Church of Christ with minister Steve Countryman officiating. Burial will be in the Meridian Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jared Cosper, Casey Cosper, Jeremy Leverett, Mike St. Clair, Wilford Don Roberts, and Charles Grady Roberts.

Janice was born in Beaumont, Texas on June 10, 1950 to Edwin James and Mary Jo Betts. She was the oldest of three children. Growing up in a military family, she lived in many places including Beaumont, Meridian, Everman, Fort Worth, Alamogordo, New Mexico, Wichita, Kansas, Dallas, and even a stint in Wurzburg, Germany while her father was stationed abroad following World War II.

Janice graduated from Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas and attended Abilene Christian University. She graduated from Tarleton State University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Art.

She taught school at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas, Cisco High School in Cisco, Texas, and Blanket High School in Blanket, Texas. For several years, she taught not only English and Art, but also, Spanish, ESL, Gifted and Talented, and Life Science.

Janice was also employed at Sherwood and Myrtie Foster’s Home for Children in Stephenville, Texas as a houseparent at the Brummet Youth Ranch near Fairy, Texas.

She was a devoted wife and mother, and friend to all she met. In her spare time Janice loved gardening, being around animals (especially horses), arts and crafts, traveling on countryside roads, and enjoying nature and it’s beauty.

Janice is survived by her husband of 44 years, Michael Dan Turner of Meridian; son, Clifton Dan Turner and wife Elizabeth of San Marcos; sisters, Jeanie Cosper and husband Jimmy of Clifton; Jo Ann Leverett and husband Jimmy of Farmington, New Mexico; mother-in-law, Lois Turner of Clifton; aunt, Jo Ann St. Clair of Meridian, uncle, Edward Michalowski of Camillus, New York; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Janice was preceded in death by her father, Edwin James Betts, her mother, Mary Jo St. Clair Betts, and her father-in-law, D.J. Turner, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Janice's name to:

Clifton Church of Christ
203 S. Ave. G.
Clifton, Texas 76634

or

Sherwood and Myrtie Foster's Home For Children
P.O. Box 978
Stephenville, Texas 76401

Words of comfort and peace can be sent to the family at www.lawsonfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements were made by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792.