Janie Sarabia

Jane Rios Sarabia (Janie), 92, of Houston, Texas was born October 3, 1931 in her grandmother’s home in Luling, Texas, to John L. Rios and Eloisa R. Rios. Loving wife, mother, daughter and grandmother, Janie passed away peacefully in her home on September 13, 2024, surrounded by her family, who loved her dearly.

Janie graduated in 1950 from Charles H. Milby High School. While at Milby she was a member of the National Honor Society and Co-ed Cadettes. Janie was a proud Milby Buff. Janie met her husband, Joe G. Sarabia, at a dance, quickly fell in love, and they were married October 14, 1951 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Houston. She had a successful career at Hughes Tool Company, beginning as a bookkeeper at the Dickson Gun Plant. At the end of the Korean War and closure of the plant, she was transferred to Hughes’ executive office as Executive Secretary to Chairmen of the Board and CEOs, Raymond M. Holliday, followed by James R. Lesch, respectively, and retired in 1986.

Janie was an active member of her parish, St. Leo the Great. She was a member and treasurer of the Azalea Club. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, vacationing all over the world. She also enjoyed dancing, cooking, playing cards, gardening, oil painting and of course, Oilers and Texans football. Most of all she enjoyed being surrounded by her family.

Janie is survived by her children: John (Danée), Susan and James (Debbie). Grandchildren: Jennifer Avila (Christian), Marisa White (Mark), Joseph Harmier (Kathy), Evelyn Ziebro (Travis), Sarah Besich (Thomas) and Michelle Sarabia. She was blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Andrew (Shelby), Mark and Stephen Avila; Ingrid, Margaret and Ezra Ziebro; Charlie and Jillian Besich; and Juliana Umana.

A Rosary will be held on Sunday September 22, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Brookside Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Fwy, 77039. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am Monday, September 23 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2131 Lauder Rd, 77039. Interment will be held directly after Mass at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale St., 77023.

The family would like to thank Janie’s beloved daughter Susan and cousin Nancy Sanchez, for their many years of dedicated caregiving and unconditional love.