Doris Janelle Sandberg Brumley

Our beloved Janelle “Grams” Brumley went home to her Lord and Savior on June 30, 2022. She passed away peacefully after a very brief illness surrounded by family in her home of 60 years, as she had always wished. Janelle was born on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921, at her family home near 16th and Red River in Austin, Texas, to Carl Walter and Lillye Anna Sandberg. Her dad was born in the same house in 1890. While Janelle was in elementary school, the family moved out to the country, to Fitzhugh Road outside of Austin. Her country school did not offer the final high school year so her teacher made special arrangements with Austin schools to get the curriculum needed to teach her and the one other student in her class so they could graduate high school.

Janelle married the love of her life, O.S. Brumley of Dripping Springs, Texas, on January 6, 1940. They connected at a dance at Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas. She soon realized, and always said, “he was one in a million”. They settled in San Antonio in the early 1940’s and had one deeply loved and adored daughter, Deborah Ann. The family moved to Rockport, Texas, in 1960 but returned to San Antonio in 1964 where O.S. and Janelle lived the remainder of their lives.

When O.S. was called home to the Lord in 1971 at the young age of 51, Janelle seamlessly switched roles from an amazing wife and stay at home mom to a hard-working professional with the Texas Department of Health, a role from which she retired after 20 years of service. Janelle said that when O.S. passed away people told her that she should sell the house, to which she responded that she wouldn’t do anything for a year. She never sold the house and was always happy that she made her own decision. Her independence, faith in herself and faith in the Lord carried her through her next 51 years.

Janelle shared her faith and gratitude for life’s blessings with family, friends and the occasional stranger on an airplane. She seemed to always have a new friend when she landed, someone offering to drive her from the airport to her destination or hoping to get together later. Janelle always welcomed friends and family to her home. Until recently, Janelle got ready everyday, regardless of her plans for the day, just in case someone stopped by to say hello. O.S. was known to bring unexpected guests home for dinner and they were always amazed that Janelle had plenty of great food prepared. Janelle did not believe in having a bad day. She always said, “When I put my feet on the floor in the morning it’s up to me to decide what kind of day I’m going to have. I don’t like to have bad days.”

Janelle dedicated her life to family and church. She has been an active member of Alamo Heights Christian Church for many years and Woodlawn Christian Church prior to that. She was also a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Grand Chapter of Texas.

Janelle is survived by daughter, Debi Brumley Postell, granddaughter Azure Postell Erickson and her husband, Brandon, granddaughter Robyn Postell Unger and her husband Randy, great-grandchildren Lillye Erickson, Owen Erickson, Remy Unger and Rendon Unger, sister-in-law, Gale Sandberg, and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whose lives will forever be better for having shared their lives with Janelle. Janelle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, O.S. Brumley, and brothers Carl Walter Sandberg, Jr. and James D. (Jimmy) Sandberg.

The family wishes to thank Rosalee Dews for her help and wonderful care of Janelle these past few years which allowed Janelle to remain independent and living in her home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alamo Heights Christian Church, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children or the charity of your choice.

Visitation: Friday, July 8th, 5-7:30 p.m.

Chapel Service: Saturday, July 9th, 1:00 p.m.

Both at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, TX

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Brumley family.