Janelle Simmons La Bouve

Janelle was born on July 26, 1932 to John and Jane (Wheeler) Simmons at Skene, MS. She grew up in Mississippi, spending her childhood years in Rena Lara and her high school years in Clarksdale. She graduated from Clarksdale High School in 1950. The summer after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Michael La Bouve.

In 1958, Janelle and Mike committed themselves to God and to living the Christian life all-out. Soon Mike felt called to preach, and Janelle agreed. More education was needed, so in 1959 Mike and Janelle left behind family and livelihood to begin what turned-out to be a 12-year long adventure in following God’s lead one step at a time. During the early years, full-time student Mike preached and Janelle played the piano at two different rural churches. When it was time for Mike to go to seminary, God unexpectedly pointed them in a new direction. When all was said and done, Mike attended four different schools and found himself prepared to serve God as a college administrator.

Janelle looked back on that part of her life with great fondness. During 8 of those 12 years, Janelle and Mike had very little income and no health insurance. The two of them were a real team—ever trusting God to provide for their family’s needs. It wasn’t easy, but they felt especially close to God during those years. And God always came through—usually just in the nick of time. They began their adventure with four children in tow; within a few years two more children were added. During those years, Janelle and Mike moved their family 6 times—finally settling in Virginia Beach in 1971.

Janelle and Mike loved the Bible. They enjoyed studying and talking about scripture with others. They believed the Bible to be an effective way to introduce the gospel to people. In the late 1960s, they enthusiastically welcomed the publication of the Good News for Modern Man: New Testament in Today’s English. They ordered copies, priced fifty cents each, by the case and gave them away. Janelle continued giving away Bibles to the end of her life.

After moving to Virginia Beach, Janelle and Mike remained ready to relocate to a new place, but God didn’t call them to move again. The intensity of their great adventure lessened, but far from over—it merely became less outwardly action-based and more interiorly faith-based. From the time they moved to Virginia Beach until Mike’s death in 1996, Janelle and Mike faced several difficult, persistent trials. Coping with those difficulties fostered spiritual growth and maturity in them both. Janelle lived to see God’s gracious answers to several of their long-standing “impossible” prayers.

Janelle loved to learn and enjoyed taking courses at TCC. She received her Associate’s degree in 1977. When the youngest child in the family reached high school age, Janelle began working outside the home. She worked as a personal assistant at CBN for 5 years, and then as an editorial assistant at the Virginian-Pilot Ledger Star’s Chesapeake Clipper office for 10 years. She retired a year after Mike’s death. Upon retirement, Janelle served as a volunteer leader in a local Widowed Persons group. She enjoyed the opportunity and continued in that role for several years.

Janelle was upbeat, fun and creative—she delighted in being alive. She enjoyed travelling, attending her church, teaching Sunday School, helping and befriending others, arranging and giving away flowers, driving her car, shopping at thrift stores, listening to audiobooks, watching movies, using words in an expressive way, exercising to keep fit, dressing with flair, decorating her home, eating dessert, and spending time with her beloved family and friends.

Our mother Janelle was a caring, loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend. She lived life filled by the fruit of the spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, mercy and self-control, with the greatest of these being love. She loved unconditionally and was generous beyond belief. Janelle was a faithful servant until the end. Her children have been so blessed to have such an incredible mother. Her legacy lives on through her six children and her grandchildren alike. She will be missed beyond belief and her memory will be cherished forever.

Annette, Mike, Pat, Paul & Mary would like to thank their brother James for everything he has done to care for Mom over the past 3 years. James made it possible for Mom to stay in her home until the end of her life by taking on the selfless full-time role of care-giver. James, the five of us will be forever grateful to you for all the sacrifices you made along the way, for the countless things you did for Mom day after day, and for taking on tasks you never dreamed you would have to do.

Janelle is survived by her six children, Annette (Steve), Michael, Pat (Rene), Paul, James, and Mary (Jack), and her twelve grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, tokens of love may be given in Janelle’s name to Gideons International at www.gideons.org/donate#