Janice Faye Whittenberg

Janice Faye Wilson Whittenberg was born Friday, December 9, 1938 in Electra, Texas to Foster and Avis Wilson. The family later moved nearby to Iowa Park, Texas and opened Iowa Park Florist. For many years, that was the only florist in town. Their home was above the shop, and Janice spent many hours assisting her parents with flowers for weddings and funerals. Janice’s love of plants and flowers lasted her entire life. As a teenager at Iowa Park High School in 1953, Janice Wilson met the love of her life, Eddie Whittenberg. Eddie said that she was the cutest girl he had ever seen! He asked her to go to a movie for their first date. Janice played the drums in the high school band, and Eddie played football. They would meet up on the field after a game and Janice would carry his helmet and walk him to the locker room. After high school, she attended and graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton, with a degree in education and a minor in art. Eddie and Janice married in 1961 and moved from Wichita Falls, Texas to Odessa, Lubbock, Tyler, and then finally to Houston in 1970. In each of these cities, Janice taught elementary school. After William and Mark were born, she became a substitute teacher at nearby elementary schools in Cypress Fairbanks ISD. She was a favorite of the teachers and always had plenty of opportunities to sub. An avid sports fan, Janice cheered alongside Eddie as William and Mark played sports throughout their school years. Not only did they attend every game, but they also enthusiastically participated in many booster events for the teams. Janice also encouraged the boys as they pursued their musical talents through the years. She was the most supportive and encouraging mom, and never failed to let the boys know how much they were loved. Church has always been at the center of Janice’s life. She grew up a Methodist, but joined Eddie in the Baptist church after they married. When they moved to Houston, they quickly found Tallowood Baptist Church and joined in 1971. At first they lived in a townhouse close to the church, but later moved to their family home in Cypress on Glenway Drive, for the next 40 years. Despite the distance, they faithfully participated at Tallowood and raised their boys there. For many years, they provided leadership for the young couples at Tallowood, and later Janice taught 2nd grade Sunday School. Janice became the proud “Grandmama” and “Memaw” to three beautiful grandchildren, Erich Foster (20), Isabelle Marie (18) and Katherine Elizabeth (14). Eddie and Janice enjoyed many memorable vacations throughout Europe and the US while traveling to see their sons and grandchildren. Janice passed away peacefully on February 1, 2024 in Virginia, where she had lived for the last 5 years. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 55 years, Eddie. She is survived by her son William, his wife, Sheila, and their children Erich and Isabelle of Berlin, Germany; and her son Mark, his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Kate, of Ashburn, Virginia; and sister-in-law, Carrie Minniear, niece Carissa Long and husband Nick, and their children James and Carley, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and nephew Blair Hix, and his children, Gabriel of Porter, Texas and Landon of Spring, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 23 at 10:00 am at Tallowood Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial donations be made to Tallowood Baptist Church, Missions Department, 555 Tallowood Drive, Houston, Texas 77024.