Vivian “Janice” Rogers Durbin was born on July 15, 1933, in Mine La Motte, MO to Lloyd Glenwood and Blanche Elizabeth (Scott) Rogers. Janice was the oldest of three children. Janice accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the age of 7 in the little creek in Mine La Motte. Janice graduated from school in 1951 and was the valedictorian of her class. Janice grew up with a love for singing, and joined the Rogers Quartet at the age of 13. She met her husband, Elmer “Lloyd” Durbin when he joined the Rogers Quartet. Janice and Lloyd were united in marriage on December 4, 1952 and were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage. Janice and Lloyd had two children. Roger Dale was born in 1956 and Mary Elizabeth “Beth” was born in 1964.Janice held a few jobs such as bookkeeper, secretary, and store clerk, but made taking care of her family and fulfilling the role of “minister’s wife” her career. Lloyd referred to her as his “spiritual director”. Janice also made time to squeeze in the roles of “singer” and “piano teacher”. Beginning in 1961, Janice served as the “minister’s wife” to many church congregations: Mill Creek Free Will Baptist Church for 21 years (two different times), O’Fallon Free Will Baptist Church for 1 year, Mine La Motte Free Will Baptist Church for 15 years (two different times), and most recently, First Free Will Baptist Church of Fredericktown for 5 years. Janice traveled across Missouri and the surrounding states for over 50 years singing the gospel first with the Rogers Quartet and later with The Durbin Family. Throughout her lifetime, Janice taught dozens of men and women to play the piano and served the Lord faithfully through many other positions such as Sunday School teacher, church pianist, church camp counselor, church camp teacher, and Vacation Bible School teacher. Janice was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church of Fredericktown.
Janice passed away on July 23, 2010, at the age of 77 years at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO. She is preceded in death by her parents, and one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Durbin Standley. Janice is survived by her husband, Lloyd, one son, Roger (Tamera) Durbin of Farmington, five grandchildren, Andrea (Rick) Pirtle of DeSoto, Rachel (Micah) Inman of Ironton, Benjamin (Becky) Durbin of Farmington, Seth (Amanda) Durbin of Park Hills, and Isaac Standley of Fredericktown. Janice is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Trevor and Taylor Pirtle, Nolan and Evan Inman, Brylee and Halle Durbin, and has one great grandchild (Addelynn Joy Durbin) who will arrive this September. Janice is also survived by one sister, Phyllis (Clyde) Berry of Bonne Terre, one brother, James “Jimmy” Rogers of Mine La Motte, Richard (Barb) Standley of California, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Janice always loved this poem by CT Studd :
“Two little lines I heard one day,Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
Janice spent her lifetime serving God, knowing what’s done for Christ will last. She was a true example of what it looks like to surrender your whole life to Jesus. She leaves behind a legacy of ministers, ministers’ wives, Sunday School teachers, worship leaders, small group leaders, musicians, and a host of family and friends who will see Janice again in Heaven.
