Janette Huff, 71, passed away on September 22, 2025, at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX, after a short, courageous battle with an aggressive cancer. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many. Her incredible strength, sensitivity to the needs of others, unselfish generosity and devotion to those who shared her world will be greatly missed.
Janette was born on December 17, 1953, in Houston, Texas to Fines and Juanita Lollis Harris and grew up with her twelve siblings in North Houston. She is a direct descendant of the Oklahoma Indian Nation from the Cherokee Tribe.
As a teen, Net “Sugar” met and married her soul-mate and the love of her life, James Huff. They spent the next 53 years as an inseparable team. Anyone who knew this couple witnessed what genuine, sacrificial love is all about.
While James and Janette certainly had very different personalities and abilities, one seldom thought of them as individuals, but rather as ‘James and Janette,’ as if they were one – and they were. As a team they founded Huff Industries in 1972, a business that has not only survived, but still prospers due to their shared beliefs in honesty, integrity and genuine service. Janette could do just about any job around the place – including operating heavy equipment - as well as any man, but she excelled in keeping the books and finances straight.
Janette got bitten by the ‘stock car racing bug’ in 2001 and strapped into several home-built race cars and raced along side (a better word would be ‘against’) James for many years. Together they competed against some of Texas’ greatest drivers at both dirt tracks and paved ovals. Most of those drivers knew Janette to be one of the nicest, kindest people involved in the male-dominated sport, but once she strapped into a race car she suddenly transformed into an aggressive, intimidating force to be reckoned with. Everyone knew that if you messed with Janette out on the track, paybacks would be swift and certain. Needless to say, she won her fair share of races, frequently beating James to the checkered flag.
Generosity lived and thrived in Janette. For instance, when she learned that the Hope Cancer Retreat was in dire need of buildings to provide housing for cancer patients, she and James stepped up and donated several comfortable homes, including delivery and set up. And there are quite a number of folks in the stock car racing community who are personally aware of her kindness and behind-the-scenes material, financial and emotional support. Likewise, it is quite likely that many who are reading this have experienced her generosity as well.
Janette is preceded by her parents, brothers Ricky Harris, John Orell Harris and Cecil Harris; sister Raelyne Harris, special niece Donna Ethridge and cherished grandchildren, Cameron ‘Sailor’ Dakota Huff and Austin Hayden.
She is survived by her devoted husband, James Huff, siblings TJ Vance and husband Tommy, Del Harris and wife Pam, Dee Harris, Juanita Harris, Lanna Matthews and husband Matt, Lee Harris, Jr, Rhoda Yackley and husband David, Shelly Waller, Jennifer Woychesin and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family is very grateful for the loving care provided to Janette by the medical staff Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston.
Janette’s memorial service will be at Cashner Funeral home, 801 Teas Rd. Conroe,Texas. The viewing will be Sunday, September 28, 5 to 7 pm. The funeral service will be Monday, September 29, at 10 am. Graveside will be at Klein Memorial Park, 32539 SH249 Pinehurst,Texas following the service.
