Janice Cates

Janice was born in Cuthbert, Texas on June 7, 1945. She spent her early years in Snyder, Texas where she met the great love of her life, Joe Cates. The two were married and later moved to Midland where they built a life. Joe and Janice were married 55 years.

Janice made things. She grew elaborate gardens and kept exotic birds. She painted beautiful paintings, played dozens of instruments and made jewelry and sculptures from precious stones and metals. She was a teacher, and passed on her gifts to hundreds of people spanning more than three generations.

Janice was an impassioned person who felt great love for people and joy for life. She was generous and kind, compassionate and graceful. She possessed rare strength and had a fiery temper when she thought someone she loved had been wronged. Janice was a woman of such great character, it took a lifetime to define. Her paintings still hang, her sculptures still sit and the students she taught still play.

Janice is survived by her husband Joe Cates; daughters Tamara Cates and Carmon Spencer and husband Drew; sister, Kay Wardlaw and husband Mike; grandchildren, Taber White and wife Nikki Amiro, Katy Spencer and Braden Spencer and great grandchildren Morgan White and Jack White.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home. A graveside Service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017.

Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com