Tributes

Betty Jane Carrell, "Janie", age 79, passed away peacefully at The Brixton Assisted Living facility in Horseshoe Bay, TX with the doctor and sweet caregivers by her side on Tuesday morning September 26, 2023, after fighting a long 5 year battle against vascular dementia and heart issues. Janie was born in Monahans, TX on April 14, 1944. She had two sisters, Kathy, and Jeannie. These three "tough as nails" girls lost their mom to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma when Janie was 13, and they very quickly had to take the reins of cooking and cleaning while their dad was working in the cotton fields. All four worked together to make ends meet. Janie met the love of her life, Don Carrell, at an Aggie party (there’s more to that story, but she did not like it shared). Don and Janie were married by Brother Burt in San Antonio on November 12, 1966. They had Betty Pauline “Polly” Carrell on July 11, 1973. They were married for almost 57 years. Prior to her death, Janie lived most of her life in Harlingen, Texas. In 2019, she and Don moved to Burnet, Texas to do what they love doing the most, being close to and spending time with their daughter and their beautiful granddaughters, who she loved and adored with all her heart. Janie was the most incredible mother any daughter could ask for. She was an idyllic homemaker, a devout Christian, a passionate Girl Scout leader, a creative seamstress, an imaginative Christmas float builder… all the while asserting her dominance in the kitchen while keeping Polly and Don fed with three square meals a day (including enforcement of table manners). Her real work began when Polly grew into her teenage years, and she began raising all of her friends as her own. That’s when her chauffeur position kicked in and she transported kids to toilet paper houses, to the drive-in movies, back and forth to the beach, and to all the places in between. Janie loved every kid who walked through her door, and no one who ever entered her house ever left without knowing that. She volunteered with the PTA, supported everything the kids touched, and supported every idea and scheme that they came up with. She was a master organizer, literally giving Polly $9.33/day to live off of at Texas A&M, she enjoyed planning a good party, and she was delighted with 4th of July sparkles. She will be missed by so many, but her own light will “sparkle” on. She is survived by her husband, Don Francis Carrell; daughter, Polly Carrell-Wilde (Eric); Granddaughters Brenna Paige Wilde (13) and Bridgette Gayle Wilde (11); Sister and Cousins, Jeannie "Sissie" Norcross-Aker; Patsy Williams and Mary Williams; Sister-in-law, Patricia Biesenbach; Nephews and Nieces, Philip Haines (Codi), Michael Heap (Marcie), Keith Heap (Tiffany), Julie Oakes, Pam Abernathy (David), David Ehrler, Erin Hall (Clint), LeeAnn Haines, Shannon Green, Tommy Green, Allen Payne (Marina) and numerous sweet cousins and friends. Janie was preceded in death by her parents, Barrett Frank Norcross and Pauline Norcross; sister, Kathy Norcross-Oakes; and brother-in-law Otto Biesenbach. A visitation will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at the Mission Park South Funeral Home from 10:00 and the service will be at 11:00 A.M in the Missions Park Chapel. Interment will follow the service. Because Janie loved animals, donations may be made in her name to Pet Pals Marble Falls, Living Love Animal Rescue Marble Falls, or a local animal rescue.

Tributes

Betty Jane Carrell

April 14, 1944 - September 26, 2023