CONROE, TEXAS
Janet L. (Smith) Absher died from natural causes on May 26, 2020, in Conroe, Texas. She was born February 1, 1935 in Anderson, Indiana, the daughter of Lawrence E. and Nelle (Cumins) Smith.
Janet was a 1953 graduate of Pendleton High School and lived most of her life in Pendleton. She graduated from Anderson College in 1972 with a BS in Elementary Education and received her master’s from Ball State University in 1975.
Janet taught 1st grade for 2 years in Ingalls (in the same room her mother retired from) and then was inspirational in establishing and implementing the first Kindergarten program in the South Madison Community School Corporation. The program started in the church basement at The Methodist Church and then moved to South Elementary, now Pendleton Elementary, where she retired in 1997, after 25 years of teaching.
Janet was a member of the Pendleton Christian Church since 1945 and served as an Elder Emeritus. She faithfully served the congregation and the Pendleton community for many years and her love and faith in God was evident to her friends and family.
Janet was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and The Red Hat Society of Pendleton. She also worked part-time, after retiring, for Darrell and Susan Lahm at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Home in Pendleton.
Janet had many interests and hobbies including scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, baking and card (euchre) club. She proudly sported a PH sticker on her vehicle and enjoyed following and cheering for not only her grandchildren but also her former students in all their events.
Janet truly loved staying busy and always desired to help others. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her life was full and blessed being surrounded by her 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was always there to read stories, play games, do puzzles, attend sporting events, to listen and support, but most importantly, be a grandmother that every child would wish for. She truly touched many people throughout her life.
Janet is survived by two sisters: Patricia (Pat) and Dave Tuttle of Fredericksburg, TX and Judith (Judy) and Jim Schmitt of Pendleton, Indiana.
Four children: Derek Hosier, wife Bobbi (Johnson) Hosier of Orlando, Florida, Peter Hosier of Pendleton, Indiana, Elizabeth (Liz) (Hosier) Robertson of Conroe, Texas and Cassandra (Cassie) (Hosier) Hall, husband Jerry (Brent) Hall of Seneca, South Carolina. Stepchildren: Andy and Theresa Absher of Anderson, Indiana, Paul and Ardy (Absher) Wilson of Batesville, Indiana and Michelle Absher of Alexandria, Indiana.
Fifteen grandchildren, Christopher Michael Hosier, wife Bridget Ann (Fulton) Hosier, Benjamin Lee Hosier, wife Chandra Jean (Lawton) Hosier, Jonathan Robert Hosier, wife Jamie Lynn (McNutt) Hosier, Michael Lee Robert Hosier, wife Amanda Jill (Enos) Hosier, Drew Alexander Young, Jill N. (Hosier) Allred, husband Joe C. Allred, Samuel S. Hosier, wife Melanie L. (Stamper) Hosier, Abby L. Hosier, Justin Lee Robertson, wife Melissa J. Chera, Colby Taylor Robertson, wife Meredith Clair (Ward) Robertson, Bailey Elizabeth Robertson, Nicholas (Nick)Tyler Hall, Nathaniel (Nathan) Trent Hall, wife Krista Ann (Bright) Hall, Tonye Nicole (Hall) McKissick, husband Kurtiss Todd McKissick, Jarred Allen Hall, wife Melinda (Mindy) Lou (Tetrault) Hall, 17 great grandchildren, Audrey Marie Hosier, Austin Christopher Hosier, Tyler Jonathan Hosier, Kinsey Lynn Hosier, McKenna Frances Hosier, Lilian O. Allred, Edison J. Allred, Lillian Grace Robertson, Cohen Trent Hall, Carlee Ann Hall, Cameron Lee Hall, Clayton Nikolas Hall, Kianna Jo McKissick, Quinn Michael McKissick, Liam Brent Hall, Amarra Grace Hall and Jack F. Hosier, several nieces, nephews, step grandchildren, step great grandchildren and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Lawrence E. and Nelle (Cumins) Smith, her husband, Robert E. Absher, stepson, Steve Absher and brother, Lawrence (Larry) Smith II.
“In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations, in her honor, be made to the South Madison Community Foundation for the future benefit of young learners and their teachers.”
Come with Me
God saw she was getting tired and the cure was not to be.
So, He put his arms around her and whispered “Come with Me.”
With tearful hearts we watched her fade away. Although we loved her dearly,
We could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands laid to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
Services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2020 at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Lahm Chapel 211 E. State St., Pendleton with Reverend Michael Canada officiating. Burial followed in Grove Lawn Cemetery, Pendleton.
A visitation was held 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 31, 2020 at Lahm Chapel, Pendleton.
Online condolences available at www.stpierrefamilyfuneral.com
