On Friday, August 10th at 5:40 PM, Janis Lee Carelock went home to be in Heaven with her savior, Jesus Christ after a courageous 5-year battle with cancer.
Born in Fredericksburg, Texas in 1948 to Lee Roy and Louise Woerner, Janis spent her early life helping with the family ranch and Woerner Feed Store. After graduating from high school, Janis embarked on a career in Nursing in Austin, completing her BSN and MSN at University of Texas School of Nursing, where she later found her passion teaching.
She was known for being a tough instructor, earning the nickname "The Terminator" among students. The students who wanted to be good nurses loved her, and she always said that when she was a patient someday, she wanted to be relieved when she saw one of her students walk in the room, not terrified. Her passion for nursing education and student mentorship made a difference in the lives of hundreds of students, and countless patients across the country.
Janis remained a teacher through her cancer journey-- teaching the nurses who cared for her and guest lecturing, but most importantly teaching those around her what grace and courage and unwavering trust in God looks like through times of pain and suffering. She never once asked "Why Me?" and was always giving thanks for the little blessings of each day.
Janis is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Wayne Carelock, her adoring children, Benjamin Carelock and Katherine Meese, brothers Bruce Woerner and Steve Woerner, parents Louise and Lee Roy Woerner, and the most kind, generous, and faithful community her family can possibly imagine.
What will be remembered most about Janis is that she truly believed that every human was specially created by God, and thus worthy of respect, love, and the best of her time and talents, regardless of titles, wealth, education, color or class.
Her family would like to thank the countless people who brought meals, hosted parties, stayed up through the night, prayed, called, emailed, wrote, traveled to Houston to visit her in the hospital, encouraged and supported her loved ones, took care of the dog, sent clothes to make Janis feel pretty, provided nursing care, did laundry, gave her lake and mountain adventures, sang hymns, and spent hours upon hours just to wait with and comfort her loved ones during her final days. They would also like to thank the compassionate employees and volunteers of Hospice Austin, who provided tremendous care to Janis and her family.
Janis left a final message of hope for those she left behind in this video.
We invite you to celebrate the blessed life of Janis Lee Carelock at her memorial service:
Friday, August 16th 3:00 PM
First Evangelical Free Church of Austin
4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd Austin, TX 78749
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Hill House Austin
Search Ministries- Please designate for Austin Area-48
If you would like to share special stories and memories about Janis, you can send them to katherine.meese@gmail.com.
Voyage
The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers
O LORD OF THE OCEANS, My little bark sails on a restless sea,
Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely.
Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;
Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;
Bring me to harbor with flying pennants, hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.
I ask great things, expect great things,shall receive great things.
I venture on thee wholly, fully,my wind, sunshine, anchor, defense.
The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless, but my helm is held steady,
Thy Word secures safe passage, thy grace wafts me onward, my haven is guaranteed.
This day will bring me nearer home.
Grant me holy consistency in every transaction, my peace flowing as a running tide, my righteousness As every chasing wave.
Help me to live circumspectly, with skill to convert every care to prayer.
Halo my path with gentleness and love, smooth every asperity of temper;
Let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;
May I strive to bind up every wound, and pour oil on all troubled waters.
May the world this day be happier and better because I live.
Let my mast before me be the Savior’s cross, and every oncoming wave the fountain of his side.
Help me, protect me in the moving sea until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.
Amen.
