Charlotte Jane (Young) Barenscheer, known to her friends and family as “Janie”, passed away on Sunday (May 16, 2021) at the age of 81. Janie had spent an enjoyable day with family before passing in her sleep later that day, in the comfort of her peaceful and loving home. Janie was born February 15, 1940 in Houston, Texas to parents Loyd Jefferson and Peggie Marie Young. Not only was Janie considered a blessing to her parents but to her big sister, Rita Mae (Young) Heslep, who adored her and whom she adored in return. This mutual adoration turned into an unbreakable bond and Janie and Rita remained close throughout their lives, often speaking of each other with high regard, fondness, and laughter. Growing up, Janie loved to visit her grandparents in Sugartown, Louisiana. She would spend her summers on horseback, racing all over the open range. She always said she could ride anything on 4 legs, but in 1972 after a horse fell on her she amended it to say anything that would STAY on 4 legs.
Janie graduated from Milby High School in 1958 and attended 1 year of business college. She was married in 1960 to Oliver Thomas Barenscheer. They had 2 children before ultimately divorcing 10 years later. Although this was difficult, it was the right decision for Janie and for her children. Understandably, Janie faced many significant struggles as a woman raising 2 children on her own and was thankful to her father who convinced her to attend business college. This led Janie to a career that allowed her to support herself and her children in the face of adversity.
As a single mother, Janie didn't have the time to develop hobbies, but she loved to read. She had 100s of books and took great joy in experiencing life through their pages (when she was able to get a moment to herself). She was also passionate about politics and her beliefs which eventually led her to volunteer for the Republican party. She volunteered as a Precinct Judge and even worked on George Bush's Republican Convention, with her daughter Cindy, when it was held in the Astrodome. As we all know, he later became president.
Janie was known by all to be a sunny and cheerful person. Her favorite saying was "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and her heart was as big as the State of Texas. She loved everyone and wasn't afraid to show it, after all, she never met a stranger. Janie’s entire life centered around her children, who were her beating heart and who always came first, and her family who she loved dearly. She was caring in nature but especially selfless when it came to her family.
A testament to this (and to her wild and cheeky nature) is when she once smuggled bluebonnet seeds from the US to Australia because her sister Rita missed seeing them bloom in the spring. The possibility of a run in with the law was nothing in comparison to the knowledge that her sister missed a piece of home. Oh no, Janie couldn’t have that!
One of Janie’s favorite pastimes later in life was watching and attending Astros baseball games. Her team spirit was not only evident in her outfit and her painted cheeks, but in her enthusiasm as well. During games, she would become loud and engaged, passionately involving herself as if she knew the players personally. This was Janie after all, if she cared about something, she cared deeply. On the way home from the games, Janie could often be found passed out in the car, the same way you might find a young child after a day of excitement.
We all have fond memories of Janie and many of the younger generation will say how they loved to go on rides with her, on her scooter. Her grandchildren, nieces and nephews would gather around her excitably, anxious over who would get to ride on her scooter next. She would take one, two kids at a time, with her dog or even her potbelly pig, depending on how much room everyone took up. Scooters can only carry so many bodies at once, of course. Although she tested these limits, as she did with the limits of everything else in life.
Janie had family waiting for her in Heaven. Her beloved father Loyd and mother Peggie, and especially her sister Rita who welcomed her ecstatically with open arms. Their gain is our loss, and she will be missed on this earth by her surviving family. Her daughter, Cynthia Joyce, her son Loyd Douglas (Doug), her son-in-law Michael Pigozzi and her beloved grandchildren Taryn Loy, Loyd (Douglas) Jr, and Miranda Kay Barenscheer. Her step grandchildren Charlie & Amanda Moore and her great grandson Jackson Moore, step grandchildren Lexi & Alisha and great granddaughters Ellie & Eden. She will also be missed by her Aunt Margie, nieces and nephews and her many wonderful cousins.
To know Janie was to love her and feel the giant hole that her passing leaves in our lives. However, it is at this time we remember that although she has moved beyond the bounds of her physical body, her loving, bright, and courageous soul lives on. For this, we are grateful.
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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