Janet Williams

Janet Estelle Hartfield Williams, age 81, of Friendswood, Texas passed away on January 31, 2017 after a brave battle with congestive heart failure this past year. She was born on October 4, 1935 in Hammond, Indiana.

Janet was most proud of her family and viewed her daughter (Sheryl) and grandsons (Ward and Phillip) as the apples of her eye. She often referred to "the best years of her life" as the 7 years she spent living with and helping raise her grandsons and she remained a constant influence in their lives. Her sisters (Donna, Bonnie and Sally) remained very close despite living 1500 miles apart. The bond of sisterhood was never broken. She cherished family times, vacations, and playing games. She lived her life to help others which was reflected in her friendships and various volunteer passions. Her Dachshunds were her faithful four-legged companions. She made many friendships over her career as an Administrative Assistant at Girl Scout Offices in Indiana & Illinois, and lastly retiring from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Grants and Contracts Department in 1998.

Janet was predeceased by her parents, William Schurr and Emma Leona Bonnet Hartfield; father- and mother-in-law, George Harmer and Bertha Belle Brodbeck Williams; husband, James Harmer Williams; brother-in-laws, Ronald "Doc" Wacnik, Robert Karsnak, Owen Muir; and her beloved Dachshunds: Abbigail "Abby" and Pollyanna "Polly."

Janet is survived by sisters, Donna Wacnik of Valparaiso, Indiana; Bonnie Muir of St. John, Indiana; Sally and husband Kent Westley of Dyer, Indiana; sister-in-law, Ellen Karsnak of Willis, Texas; daughter, Sheryl and husband Mike Murphy of Friendswood, Texas; grandsons, Ward and wife Megan Nguyen Jablonski of Waco, Texas; Phillip Jablonski of Friendswood, Texas; Denton and wife Celina Holmes Murphy of San Francisco, CA; Michael and wife Jessica Gerke Murphy of Houston, TX; great-granddaughter, Brooke Murphy of Houston, TX; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to count.

The family would like to thank Hallmark Hospice (Kendall RN and Dr. Grumbles) and the owner (Melia) and staff at Serenity Gardens in Friendswood, TX for the loving care and compassion they provided at the end of Janet's life. The family would also like to thank the staff at Brookdale Pearland for providing companionship to Janet the past 3 years. Finally, the family would like to thank Pastor Casey Jones, Carolyn, Peggy, Anna, Louise, and Liz for helping her maintain an active life at her church.

A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held for Janet on March 25, 2017 at 3:00PM at her church - The First Presbyterian Church in Pearland (2930 Broadway St., Pearland, TX 77581) with a dinner following in the fellowship hall. Interment of her ashes will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana later this summer.

In lieu of flowers, Janet requested donations be made in her memory to her church or to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (grants and contracts).

Condolences may be sent to the Williams family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.