Janette Stallings

Virgie Janette Stallings passed away at the age of 93, early on Christmas Eve morning – a fitting day to depart this world and enter the perfect peace of her Lord and Savior. She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Stallings, and her sister, Evelyn (Sis) Fortenberry.

Perhaps nothing was truer of Janette than she treasured time with her family and she treasured the Word of God. She was a shining example of a Godly wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her home was always open, her schedule always available, and her Bible was always within arm’s reach. As Proverbs 31:28 says, “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” And we, too, call ourselves blessed to have had such a matriarch.

Janette was a Texan by birth - born August 17, 1930 in Snyder, TX just as the Great Depression was starting. In fact, she would tell stories of God’s provision during those difficult years growing up – of how a bottle of milk would show up on their doorstep when their cabinets (and stomachs) were empty. She would carry that keen awareness of God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout her life. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Oscar and Emma Overstreet, and they were raised in Texas until Janette was 12, when the family moved to San Miguel, CA. There, they generously opened their home to military service families who needed a place to stay, and they regularly held church services in their home.

At the age of 15, Janette’s family moved to Selma, CA. She graduated from Selma High School in 1947. On April 3, 1948, she married the love of her life, Raymond Stallings. Janette and Raymond started a family in Selma, welcoming their first three children - Leland, Janice, and Kathleen. The family moved to Salinas in 1955. There, Raymond and Janette were also blessed to welcome into their home an eight-month-old boy, Wayne Chin. They considered him a son since that day, helping to raise him. In 1961, Leonard was born, and the Stallings family was complete.

While living in Salinas, Janette enjoyed many activities: from sewing to gardening to helping the kids with their 4H projects. She was also actively involved in Women’s Ministries, the Missionettes program, and the nursery care at the Alisal Assembly of God Church.

In 1966, the Stallings family moved back to the Central Valley, settling in Visalia, CA. They continued serving and attending Assembly of God churches, making lifelong friends along the way.

Janette loved camping and – as hard as it may be to believe – motorcycle riding. That’s why the mountains, especially Hume Lake, would become a respite for the entire Stallings extended family. Raymond and Janette went on to buy a cabin – a beautiful place where family and God’s goodness were always on display. That was her idea of a vacation: time spent together.

As the family grew, Janette treasured each addition. And there was one thing that every grandkid could count on: Grandma’s home was always open, and she was ready to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, play games, and share an encouraging word (usually from something she recently highlighted in her Bible). Grandma had a way of making you feel special, like you were her top priority for the day. Her pantry would be full of snacks and the toy closet ready to be raided, while gospel music played from the TV in the background.

The whole family would often gather at Grandma’s house to share a meal. In the early days it was her famous beef stew- a recipe that could win over even the pickiest of eaters. And more often than not, there was an angel food cake, peach cobbler, or lemon cake on the counter. Her baking will surely be missed!

If Grandma wasn’t at home, she was most likely on the sideline at every sport imaginable, cheering on any of her 19 grandkids or 25 great-grandkids.

Janette lived a life of dedication to God and to her family – what a beautiful Christian heritage.

Lovingly remembered and cherished by her family:

Sister: Idell Woodward.

Children: son Leland (Marsha) Stallings; daughter Janice (Ellis) Doyal; daughter Kathy (Anthony) Adams; son Lenny (Shannon) Stallings; and son Wayne (Helen) Chin.

Grandchildren: Eric (Ronni) Doyal; Derek (Tonya) Stallings; Janette (Chris) Meyer; Craig (Alexis) Doyal; Sara (Herman) Villarreal; Caleb (Nicole) Adams; Casey (Brian) Camarillo; Kaitlen Davis; Kara (Brandon) Jeffries; Dylan Chin; and Madeleine Chin.

… and 25 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren (plus two more on the way)!