I have been hearing many terrific stories about grandma Janice and how her life impacted others. If you have a story to tell about her, our family would love to hear it. These can be serious or funny stories. Grandma left us this past Friday to be with Jesus, but her impact on us all remains.
Would you like to share a story? Here are some questions to help get you started. Share your story in the comment section below.
What about her life impacted you the most?
What was your favorite memory with Janice?
What did she teach you?
What about her made you laugh?
What was your favorite song to hear her sing?
Our family would like to thank everyone for the prayers, friendship, and food. And we look forward to reading your stories!
13 comments:
One of my favorite memories of Grandma...
Several years ago...perhaps Micah's first Thanksgiving with the family...we had Thanksgiving dinner at mom's house. Mom had asked Grandma Janice to bring the mashed potatoes. Well, we all gathered together and were getting the food on the table. Someone (I can't remember who) looked around the kitchen and said, "Aren't we going to have mashed potatoes?" Mom replied that Grandma was supposed to bring them. Grandma had completely forgotten mom had asked her to bring them. This wouldn't have been any big deal, and it probably wouldn't have been memorable...except Grandma loudly exclaimed..."This is going to go down in history as the year I forgot the mashed potatoes!" And because she said it, it became true. That Thanksgiving went down in history as the year Grandma forgot the mashed potatoes!
As long as I can remember--I remember the Durbin family. When I think of Janice I always envision her with that smile--the kind that lit up her entire face. I loved her idylic Baptist piano playing! She was my teacher for a few years. All my best "Baptist" came from Janice and I eventually played in church--due to her diligence. As a child, I looked forward to FFWB "socials" so I could hear the Durbins sing!
In my early teen years, I went with the family on their short travels around the area. I loved spending the night with Beth, Janice would come in and sit on her bed and chat with us. She had this ultimate calm about her. I remember her gentle laugh, she had a sense of humor as she shared an old story or two.
Janice was a wonderful mother, Beth adored her. I have a joy in my heart that these two beautiful, amazing women are together again in heaven, though without a doubt they are missed so very much here.
Grandma and I didn't always see eye to eye growing up. I remember her, more than once, telling me that I was sassy! But she was always a great example of what a Godly woman should be and what a good pastor's wife should be. There are so many memories,funny, good, etc. but one memory that keeps coming to mind is watching her sing "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" to my daughter as she was holding her in her arms. I have always sang that song to both Trevor and Taylor so it was just awesome hearing her sing it to her as well. I believe her life has impacted who I am today whether it be thru singing or thru ministry. Grandma was a true example of what it looks like to surrender your whole life to Jesus and I can only hope that I can be half the woman she was!
I always remember the summer we went to bethal bibla camp and grandma durbin went through our bags to make sure we had appropriate clothes and no radios, but we snuck our walkmans with new kids on the block
Thought of a funny one...well not so funny for me at the time, but...
I remember one time when grandma was standing at sink talking on the phone, which she seemed to be pretty good at, and she was cutting potatoes with a sharp knife. I had come up behind her to ask her something and she turned around with that knife in her hand and the point of the knife went right up my nose. We both freaked out but luckily it only bleed a little and wasn't bad at all. I learned then not to stand anywhere near her when she was holding a sharp knife!
I shared a cabin with Janice for 2 years at camp. After the girls would fall asleep we would talk and she was such a lady. Took piano lessons from her... and as good as she was I just didn't get it but she never gave up on me always positive and encouraging. Never heard her say an unkind about anyone. She would always say "well we just have to pray for them, you never know what they have been through that makes them the way they are". She was a kind and godly woman. She was a treasure. Gods blessings, love and prayers to your family.
-Sue Thebeau Alley
Growing up singing with my family we would "watch and learn" from other family singing groups. The Durbins were ALWAYS one of my favorites and it was because of the love that came through Lloyd and Janice for people. I would watch them from afar and learned a great deal from the both of them. I truly believe that both Lloyd and Janice were both amazing examples of Gods love, and to this day, they still are. The generational effect of a life lived for Jesus shows through with all of their kids, grandkids, and now great grandkids. Although in this world Janice may have not won too much fan fare, in the heavenly realm GREAT is her reward...and rightfully so.
-Jamie Lewis Degonia
There should have been no reason for Mrs. D (as I called her) to like me. She probably should have been suspicious of this cocky, arrogant basketball coach who thought he should be a church leader and wanted God-relationship with her whole family. Instead, she was extraordinarily gracious and loved me despite my multitude of flaws. NEVER was I with her that she did not smile and warmly greet me. I love her and will miss her greatly.
It really made me feel good several years ago when I was at her house and she asked me to play a song on the piano because she said she liked the way it sounded. I couldn't believe she liked it because she was a "real" piano player. Made.me feel real good. She was an amazing woman. - Mark Berry
I guess I was almost 15 when I met the Durbins. And
I am now in my 50's. Mrs Durbin as I always called her was always gracious and so sweet to me. I can remember being in the van on our way to or from a singing and she would always have something good and nice about the people at that church. Such a sweet personality and the love she had for her family was ever present. To us that was kinda adopted in to the family we thank you and will forever feel blessed to have known "The Durbin Family". Thanks for the memories!
I only have a few memories of Janice considering I was only around the age of 3 when I mostly saw them. I didn't remember how old I was, but my dad told me. It's amazing what a person can remember. Janice and Lloyd watched my brother and I when we still lived down in Fredericktown. I remember her being so caring and warm. We used to call them Grandma and Grandpa Durbin because they treated us as we were their own. I've always carried a special place in my heart for Janice and Lloyd.
I remember when I was really young, aunt Janice would entertain me by sitting down at her piano with Beth's dog "Fred" on the floor nearby. She would start playing and singing 'Oh how I love Jesus', and within a few seconds Fred would join in howling right along with her.
-Eric Rogers
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