Jane C. Oswalt

The youngest of three girls, she was born June 2, 1932 to Bryan and Ruth Curtis in Dallas, where she grew up. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Austin College in Sherman and a Masters of Religious Education Degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia.

Jane was working with the Red Cross at the Brook Army facility in San Antonio when she met the love of her life, Lt. Col. Harris Oswalt. They were married in 1969. In 1975, after assignments in Thailand and Japan, they retired and moved to Tyler.

Harris and Jane were very devoted to one another and enjoyed a beautiful marriage together. They had no children; however, several beloved pets through the years they adored. Harris passed away in 1992.

During her years in Tyler, Jane served as president of the Tyler Women’s Forum, a member of the CASA board, a deacon of the First Presbyterian Church, a volunteer at Mother Francis Hospital, vice-president of the Texas Retired Military Officers Association, vice-president of the Smith County Republican Club and was a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood and Littera Book Club.

Jane is most noted for her talent as a book narrator throughout East Texas since 1984. She presented an average of six books a month to various clubs, organizations, libraries and churches and participated in fundraising for many of these groups, particularly the East Texas Animal Rescue Fund. She formed Ruth’s Friends, in memory of her mother, entertaining groups in her studio at her home in Noonday for many years. She later hosted Jane’s Friends, a group of men and women who carry on her legacy, meeting monthly to present and evaluate books.

Jane will always be remembered and loved by those she inspired and by her many friends as a gracious, generous and gifted lady who has blessed us all with her life.