Janice Witt Russell

Jan was born in Victoria, Texas on August 30, 1954, graduated from Victoria High and received a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Houston in 1977.

Jan married her high school sweetheart Ron Russell on May 22, 1976. She started her career as a pharmacist at St Luke’s Episcopal Hospital at the Texas Medical Center in Houston in 1977. As she and Ron moved around the state due to Ron’s job assignments, she transitioned into the role of a retail relief pharmacist until she retired to focus on raising her daughters.

Her family was blessed by her generosity, compassion, patience and calm demeanor. She was a naturally talented cook and gardener and a creative seamstress. Most importantly, her faith and moral character were powerful examples to her family and others.

Jan took nearly every opportunity to participate in service work within her home congregations in Bay City, Fairfield, Friendswood and Austin. Such work included being youth leaders (with Ron), sewing Lutheran World Relief quilts and clothing, helping with food preparation, fund raising activities, and most recently working in the K9 Comfort Dog Ministry at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin. Until she got sick, she was able to go with the dogs (Abner and Martha) and other handlers and ministry helpers to Share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need (Lutheran Church Charities’ mission statement) at senior living facilities, schools, social services centers, disaster deployments and other places. She also enjoyed her work sessions and retreats with the ladies of the Johnson City Quilting Guild.

Jan’s smile and cheerful spirit will be missed by her family and friends, but her memory will sustain us until we meet again.

Jan is survived by daughters Emily Blamire of Silver Spring, Maryland and Erin Russell of Dripping Springs, Texas, grandson Henry Friedrich Blamire of Silver Spring, Maryland, sisters Diane Witt Schulte of Kirksville, Missouri and Sharon Witt Hynes of Dripping Springs, Texas as well as her husband of 44 years, Ron Russell of Dripping Springs, Texas.

Donations (in lieu of flowers) are requested to be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 Slaughter Lane, Austin, Texas 78749 (earmarked for the K9 Comfort Dog Ministry) or online at https://www.bethanyaustin.com/comfort.

Jan’s memorial service at 11:00am Thursday September 24th will be live-streamed at https://www.bethanyaustin.com/funeral.

Favorite Scripture Passages:

1 Peter 4:10

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”