Janice Ann (Roberts) Erwin, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, in Midlothian, Texas, while receiving hospice care following a long and courageous battle with a rare blood cancer called polycythemia vera.
Janice was born on April 4, 1937, in Indian Gap, Texas, the daughter of Willie Ferguson Roberts and Annie Alma (Marwitz) Roberts. Janice had one sister, Ellen “Gayle”, and two brothers, Bill Hulon and Ted Eugene.
Janice was a wife to Clifford Cecil Erwin, mother to Bryan Murray Erwin and Nerissa Gayle (Erwin) Garrity, and grandmother to David Bryan Coronado, Francis Michael Garrity, and William Clifford Garrity.
Janice graduated from Pottsville High School in 1955. She was a cheerleader, an outstanding basketball player, and salutatorian of her class. After graduation, Janice attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX (1955-1957) where she also worked as a librarian and met her future husband, Cliff, on a blind date. During this time Janice also worked at the First National Bank in Brownwood (1957-1958).
On August 30, 1958, Janice married Cliff. In 1960, Cliff was drafted into the army and together they moved to Maryland, where Janice supported her husband by working at the US Army Chemical Center until 1962. Bryan was born in June 1963, and Nerissa was born in 1974. Janice was a stay-at-home mom thereafter.
Janice was an active church member her entire life, singing in the choir and participating in various committees. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Fairfield (1970-1975), Cedar Heights Baptist Church (1975-2010), and Indian Gap Baptist Church (2010-current).
Janice had many friends she enjoyed spending time with. Some of her best friends were her sister Gayle Morris and high school classmates Shirley (Hayes) Sanders, and Luberta (Hayes) Van Zandt. Her church friends included Betty Saye, LaWanda Baugus, Lawana Threadgill, Trudy Cranfill, and neighbors Jeannie Funderburk, Mary Byers, Linda Beason, Karen Morris, and Patty Taylor.
Janice was an excellent cook. She loved “southern homestyle” cooking, playing the piano, reading, and clipping coupons. Janice could go into a grocery store with all her coupons, and the store would end up paying her to take the groceries!
Janice Erwin is preceded in death by her parents Willie and Annie Roberts, her husband’s parents Bruce and Myrle Erwin, her siblings, Billy, Gayle, Ted, and her sister-in-law Rhea Mayfield and brother-in-law Jack Cochran.
Janice is survived by her husband Clifford Erwin, children Bryan (sp. Kevin Chan) and Nerissa (sp. Michael Garrity), grandchildren David, Frank, and William.
Janice is also survived by her brother-in-law John Morris (sp. Karen) and nieces and nephews (in alpha order by first name): Nieces- April Torrence (sp. Michael), Donna Bullock, Jill Hubbert (sp. Joe), Kaylon Johnson, Kasey Bonnema (sp. Hans), Miken Ruiz (sp. John), and Patti Miller. Nephews- Aaron Morris (sp. Aleisha), Jayson Morris (sp. Julie), Rick Roberts, T.J. Roberts (sp. Summer Dawn), and Will Ray Roberts.
Funeral service will be on Friday, January 23rd at 12:00pm at the Indian Gap Baptist Church in Indian Gap, TX. She will be buried in the Indian Gap Cemetery. After the service, a catered “Underwood’s BBQ” luncheon and fellowship for all funeral guests will follow at 2pm at the church. There will be no visitation prior to the service.
If you are unable to attend the service in person, a live stream of the service can be found at www.facebook.com/IndianGapBaptist starting on Friday, January 23rd at 12pm.
If you wish to make a donation or send flowers, please attend to the Indian Gap Baptist Church, www.indiangapbaptist.com. Local florist in Hamilton is Copper Garden Floral & Gifts, 254-688-0066 (ask for Kati), website www.coppergardenfloral.com.
