Janet Lancraft Rasnick

1954 - 2007

Noted area artist, Janet Lancraft Rasnick, of Abingdon, Va., passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2007 after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, John O. Rasnick; her parents, Ray and Nellie Lancraft; and a brother, Phil Lancraft. Mrs. Rasnick came to live in Southwest Virginia from Riverside, Calif. in 1954. She worked as a clerk for the USDA until her retirement in 1992. She was an active member of the Abingdon Baptist Church where she sang in the choir for many years. Mrs. Rasnick was an accomplished artist. She was a member of the VA Watercolor Society and was one of the original members of a group known as "Wednesday Morning Painters." She was also an original member of the Depot Artists Association. She served on the VA Highlands Festival Board for 25 years and was a Fine Arts Committee Chair and Co-Chair many times. She was a resident artist at the Arts Depot for 14 years and just recently retired from her studio. Her paintings were in numerous exhibits both locally and regionally and won many awards. She was a passionate supporter of the arts. Mrs. Rasnick is survived by her daughter, Sandra and husband, Toy Bowen, of Roanoke; son, Jeff and wife, Gladys Ann Rasnick, of Fincastle; five grandchildren; two greatgrandsons; and her brother, Paul and wife, Betty Lancraft, of Florida; sisters-in-law, Vivian Redwine and Mildred Rasnick; brothers-in-law and sistersin-law, Zane and Mae Parks, Doyle Wayne and Linda Rasnick; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Rasnick is also survived by her very special friends, Barbara and Jim Hackworth of Charlotte, N.C. There will be a memorial service at Abingdon Baptist Church on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 7 p.m. with Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. A graveside committal service will be conducted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 10 a.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Those attending are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be "The Lunch Bunch" and her buddies from the Art Deport. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.farrisfuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Abingdon Baptist Church Choir Fund and the Abingdon Arts Depot. Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, 427 East Main Street Chapel, Abingdon, Va. is serving the Rasnick family.