Jane Smith Hotze

Jane Smith Hotze peacefully departed this world to be with her Savior, Lord and King, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday morning, the 18th of June 2025 at her home, surrounded by her adoring children and her devoted husband.

Janie was born in Baltimore, Maryland on the 1st of April 1949. In 1957, Janie moved to Houston, Texas with her family. Janie attended Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston. In 1967, she was chosen to be a cheerleader by the all-boy’s St. Thomas Catholic High School, where her husband to be, Steve Hotze, was Student Body President and quarterback on the football team. They fell in love during their senior year, and were married before they entered college in 1968. Janie was Steve’s sweetheart, his loving bride and dearest friend for 57 years of marriage. God has blessed them with eight (8) wonderful children and twenty-five (25) loving grandchildren.

Janie has been the heart and soul of her family, the matriarch, the glue that holds her family together. She devoted her life to her role as a mother, following the example of her own mother. Janie believed that her family was her first and greatest ministry. She raised 8 wonderful children who dearly love and honor her. All but one of her children’s families live within 10 minutes of her home.

This has enabled Janie to help them raise their families. Their lives are a beautiful testimony to her faithfulness, love, and tireless dedication.

As the second oldest of seven, Janie was a devoted daughter and cherished her time with her parents and siblings who had moved to Tampa, Florida in 1971. She wanted her children to have close relationships with her parents and siblings, so annual summer trips were taken to Tampa, piling all eight children into an oversized van.

Janie looked forward to her family’s annual month long vacation to Sea Island, Georgia. The beach was her sanctuary. Sipping on Loggia punches at the Beach Club, playing bingo at the Cloister, sitting out for hours on the beach reading books, dancing with the grandkids at Rainbow Island, and at the Lodge to the tunes of the bagpiper are just a few of the things that brought Janie the most joy. She also enjoyed time spent at their family farm, in New Ulm, Texas where she delighted in hosting family and friends. These cherished places were more than vacation destinations or properties. To her, they were where family bonds deepened, laughter rang loud, love was felt deeply and memories were made.

Janie has been a faithful supporter and steadfast encourager to Steve, and to her family and friends through thick and thin. She always remained positive with a can do attitude, like the true cheerleader she always was.

Her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ defined her life. She feared God, reverentially trusting Him, which gave her strong confidence during her life, and especially during the past 18 months of her illness. Janie remained steadfast, hopeful, and courageous through it all.

Janie exemplified the character qualities of the Godly, Proverbs 31 woman.

Janie is dearly loved and deeply revered by her family and by all who know her. She leaves behind a powerful legacy as a faithful wife, nurturing mother, devoted grandmother, and loyal friend. During her illness every one of her children and grandchildren have visited and stayed with her multiple times each week, even when she was in Scottsdale, Arizona for two months of treatment. Her siblings, Debbie, Nancy, Melissa and Tommy also traveled from Florida to be with her multiple times over the past year and a half. It was this constant encouragement by her family that kept Janie confident and optimistic. Their devotion to her was a balm to her heart, soul and spirit.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy caused Janie, in April 1973, to be born again through her faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death for her sins and His resurrection. Janie obtained an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled, which will never fade away, having been reserved for her in heaven. Janie has been protected by the power of God through her faith in Jesus Christ for this salvation that has now been revealed to her.

Even though she was afflicted for 18 months with the trials of her physical illnesses, Janie patiently endured and rejoiced in the Lord. Her tested and proven faith, more precious than gold, resulted in praise, glory, and honor when she departed this world and met Jesus in glory. We are confident that Jesus said to her, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Janie loved Jesus Christ and now sees Him face to face, with a joy that is inexpressible and full of glory. As an outcome of her faith, she is experiencing the reality of eternal life with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, reunited with our son David and all the saints in glory.

Janie has passed from the land of the dying to the land of the living to be with Jesus Christ for eternity.

For 517 consecutive nights, Janie and Steve claimed God’s healing promises together, ending each day with this cherished hymn:

Our hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

We dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, we stand:

all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils Christ’s lovely face,

We rest on His unchanging grace;

in every high and stormy gale,

Our anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

Christ’s oath, his covenant, His blood,

supports us in the whelming flood;

when all around our soul gives way,

Christ then is all our hope and stay.

Refrain

When Christ shall come with trumpet sound,

O may we then in Him be found,

dressed in His righteousness alone,

faultless to stand before His throne.

Refrain

Janie and Steve thank God for the devotion and care that their children and grandchildren provided her. They also thank God for the loyal friends they have had over the years, and for their friends’ faithful prayers over the past 18 months, claiming God’s promises for Janie’s healing. God has answered these prayers. “God does according to His will, among the hosts in heaven, and the inhabitants of earth, and no one can stay His hand, or question what He has done.” (Daniel 4:35) To God be the glory!

“O Lord, yours is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth. Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11)

Janie was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Margaret Smith, her son, David Bradley Hotze, her brother, Raymond Smith Jr. and her grand daughter, Molly Catherine Liuzzi.

Janie is survived by her husband, Steven Hotze, M.D., her seven children, Mary Beth Burrow and husband Tommy, Catherine Cagle and her husband Paul, Sarah Liuzzi and her husband Matthew, Paul Hotze and his wife Chloe, Patrick Hotze and his wife Laura, Deborah McInnes and her husband John, Rebekah Gorder and her husband Casey. She is also survived by her siblings, Peggy Smith, Debbie Hibberts, Nancy Hankin, Melissa Wetzel, and Tommy Smith. Janie leaves behind twenty-five beloved grandchildren who call her “Mimi,” Thomas, Benjamin, Cate and Bradley Burrow; Janie, Emily and Margaret Cagle; Read, Elisabeth Jane, Peter and Eloise Liuzzi; Emma, Harper and Rebecca Jane Hotze; Logan, Margaux Jane and Barrett Hotze; Mollie, Annie Cate, Forrest and Banks McInnes; and William, David, Grayson and Charlotte Jane Gorder. Five of her granddaughters are honored to carry on her name, Jane.

Janie is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members, devoted friends and loyal caregivers. With heartfelt gratitude, the Hotze family extends their deepest appreciation to Jill Hartland, R.N., Gloria Ivory, and Shelly Dobbins, who provided loving home care for Janie over the past 18 months.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 25th of June, in the original sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the church. A graveside service will be held after the reception.

For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by selecting the “Join Livestream” icon on the service section below.

In lieu of customary remembrances, donations may be made to Foundation for Life,10900 Northwest Fwy., Ste. #112, Houston, Texas 77092 or by visiting the link below under "Donations".

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