Janice “Jan” Evelyn Mothershed, 61, of Westlake, passed into the arms of her Savior on Monday, December 16, 2024 in Lake Charles. She was born on April 26, 1963 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Roe and Aline Crain. She grew up in Westlake and was a 1981 graduate of Westlake High School, where she was a cheerleader and drummer in the Ramettes. When she was growing up, she was in Rainbow Girls and an active member of the Gateway Church of God Youth Group.
On April 7, 1984, she married the love of her life, Merrick. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Between 1986 and 1989, they had two children, Holly and Dustin, and shortly thereafter the four of them were world travelers, heading to live in Saudi Arabia for four years. During this time, Merrick and Jan and their kids got to experience all the benefits living the expat life had to offer: camping trips out in the desert, canasta and dominoes with her ladies group, and once-in-a-lifetime vacations to Egypt and Switzerland.
Jan was a wonderful cook and loved having her family over for any and all occasions. In her spare time, she enjoyed shopping, getting her hair and nails done, and decorating. Her house was always so beautifully decorated. She even had a Christmas Tree specifically for her grandkids to decorate, who she took each year to pick out new ornaments with. She also loved working with flowers and obtained her florist's license. Jan loved to go on vacation and visit various spots in the country, having recently traveled Route 66 out to New Mexico and California, and later to Washington D.C. She also enjoyed cruising and attending concerts (the Eagles being a favorite!) Jan absolutely adored her grandchildren and loved the time she spent with them. You could always depend on her to show up at Sophia's dance recitals or Grant's baseball games, or watching Carter and Tyler play with and on anything with four wheels. They were the light of her life and she was such a proud Mimi.
She is survived by her loving husband, Merrick Mothershed; daughter, Holly Webb (Matt) of Westlake; son, Dustin Mothershed (Lauren) of Moss Bluff; mother, Aline Crain of Westlake; mother-in-law, Elizabeth “Liz” Mothershed of Westlake; two brothers, Jason Crain (Jill) of Moss Bluff and Carlton Crain (Cornelia) of Westlake; one sister, Joan Crosby (Ralph Jr.) of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; brother-in-law, Kevin Mothershed (Marla) of DeQuincy; along with four grandchildren, Sophia Williams, Grant Webb, Tyler Webb, and Carter Mothershed, along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends who will miss her dearly.
Jan is preceded in death by her father, Roe Crain; along with her father-in-law, Ernest Mothershed.
A Celebration of Jan’s life will be held at Gateway Church of God in Moss Bluff, Louisiana on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 12:00 pm, with Rev. Richard Rials and Rev. Rocky East officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday, from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Antioch Cemetery (Big Woods) in Vinton, Louisiana.
The family would like to express their utmost gratitude and appreciation for the care and compassion shown by the staff at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
