Laurice Janet Middleton

1930 - 2015

Laurice Janet Middleton, a long-time resident of Big Spring, died Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at Scenic Mountain Medical Center. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park.

Family and friends are invited to the First Presbyterian Church for a reception following the interment service.

Born Nov. 5, 1930 in Garden City, Texas, to Ray and Emma Hightower, Janet grew up in Garden City, where she enjoyed the outdoors and riding her beloved horse, Sonja. Later, she went to college at Texas Tech University. Janet was a pioneer of women in college rodeo, being named the first all-around cowgirl at the Hardin-Simmons University Rodeo.

Janet married Harry Middleton June 24, 1955, and the two remained together the rest of their lives in Howard County, where they ranched and raised their family. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Big Spring.

She had an adventurous spirit, traveling all across the world. She passed on her love of horses and travel to her children and grandchildren. She adored all of her grandchildren and was proud that they had all obtained college degrees from Texas Tech.
Janet was the first president of the Social Order of the Beauceant, the wives' auxiliary of the Knights Templar. She had been an active member of the 1958 Hyperion Club for many years.

She is survived by her son, Johnny Middleton and wife, Cindy of Big Spring, as well as her daughter, Candy Brown and husband, Jacky of Midland. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Lauren Craig and husband, Cody, and their daughter, Ellie of Lubbock; her granddaughter, Kim Fishpaw and husband, Jim, and their daughters, Victoria, Raegan and Kellan of Keller; and her two grandsons, Clay Brown of Lubbock and Jake Brown of Floresville. Other survivors are nephew, Barry Hobbs; sister-in-law, Vivien Buckner; nieces, Paula Jones and Marie Kauss; and nephew, Robert Buckner.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband; both her parents; as well as her sisters, Marcelyn Kelly and Ray Jean Hobbs.

The family would like to give special thanks to Cindy Talamentes for her friendship and care for Janet throughout the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 2222, Big Spring, Texas 79721 or the Heritage Museum, 510 Scurry, Big Spring, Texas 79720.

Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com