Janice M. Roberts

Janice Merle Carnes Roberts, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 20, 2018 at her home in Round Rock, Texas; Jan was 86 years of age. Known to her grandchildren as Grand Jan (“Candy Jan”), she is survived by her three daughters, a son-in-law, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, and her fiancé/childhood sweetheart.

Jan’s influence is clearly seen in the lives of her daughters, grandchildren and closest friends.

Jan grew up in Houston, Texas where she attended Lamar High School and Rice University. She was named a Rice Beauty in 1951. She met her first husband, Thomas Blackmon, while attending Rice and left the university to marry and raise her three daughters: Terry Lynn, Shari Ann, and Lorrie Lea.

In the 1960s when the cultural norm was for women to stay home, Jan valued education so much that she went back to school at the University of Houston and received her Bachelor degree with a major in English, minor in Spanish and her master’s degree in Psychology. The importance placed on education can be seen in the college degrees received by her children and grandchildren. Her youngest granddaughter, Alexa Tartaglini is leaving Colorado this weekend to attend her freshman year at New York University. Her grandson, Davis Townsend, completed his master’s in Business Analytics from University of Texas by the time he was 21 years old. Her grandson, Nolan Townsend is working on his graduate degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico.

Jan spent her professional career working in the field of psychology and special education in Houston, Texas. During her career, she was the Director of Psychological Services for Harris County Department of Education, Coordinator of Appraisal Services for Alief and Conroe Independent School District and the Director of Special Services at Montgomery Independent School District. In 1970, while working at Harris County, she met Nancy Hutchinson, who remained her best friend until her death. She retired in 1998 and continued working as an educational and psychological consultant until she was in her early 70’s. Her influence can be seen in her family’s involvement in the helping professions. Her daughter, Terry Blackmon received her PhD in Early Childhood Special Education from Vanderbilt University and is a child psychologist in Florida. Her daughter, Shari Blackmon, received her medical degree from University of Texas Health and is a psychiatrist in Colorado. Her daughter, Lorrie Townsend, received her degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Texas. Her granddaughter, Kelsie Townsend, works with children as an occupational therapist and her grandson, Hunter Hancock works with Wounded Warriors as a recreation therapist.

Jan’s love of music was evident in high school when she was a member of a sextet. The sextet performed on the radio where she met her first boyfriend, Jerry Adair, who was the program announcer. Her love of music continued when she joined the Round Rock Community Choir with her friend Martha Blackmon. Jan had the pleasure of singing with the choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2006. It appears her love of music is being carried on by her great -grandson, Edger Williamson.

Jan also loved movies, especially the Old Classics. Her granddaughter, Lindsey Williamson is a screenwriter in Kentucky and with her husband, Sam Williamson, is currently producing a feature film that Lindsey wrote and will direct in October. Her great-grandson McClain is quite the story teller, and it appears another generation will carry on her love of movies.

Jan displayed her creativity through sewing, cooking and crafting. Her daughter, Lorrie Townsend definitely inherited her creativity and for many years owned a scrapbooking store in Round Rock. Jan loved sewing blankets for her friends and family and she received more orders than she could make. That same creative spirit seems to be alive in her grandson, William Hancock who created a healthy drinking chocolate and runs his own business in California.

Jan’s other favorite past time was playing cards, dominos and board games with her children and grandchildren. Her son-in-law, Randy Townsend, was always her favorite opponent during family 42 tournaments.

Jan was widowed in 1998 when her husband, Bill Roberts passed away. She retired and moved to Round Rock in 2002. Her junior high boyfriend, Jerry Adair, never forgot her though and hired an FBI agent to track down his first love. They rekindled their relationship in 2012 and he was her constant companion in her last years, loving her well until her death.

We will miss her sharp wit and clever puns, always knowing the answers on the crossword puzzles, her expertise in Arts and Entertainment Trivial Pursuit. We will think of her when we watch an old movie, play a 42 tournament, or eat chocolate candy.

A visitation for family and friends will take place at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 23, 2018. The funeral service will take place directly after the visitation at 11:00 am in the memorial chapel.

Memorial Contributions in Jan’s name may be made to Paws for Purple Hearts.

Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com where you may leave condolences and share memories with Jan’s family.