Obituary for Kay Echols
Janice Kay Echols, 82 of Snyder, TX died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, November 25, 2021 in Snyder.
Family Visitation is planned for Sunday, November 28th, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Miller Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Monday, November 29th, 2021 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Dunn Cemetery at 2:00 pm under the direction of Miller Family Funeral Home.
Janice Kay Maner was born on November 5, 1939 in Littlefield, TX, along with her twin brother Ray (first set of twins in the new Littlefield Hospital), to Vena and Doss Maner. After growing up among the cotton fields, Kay graduated from Whitharral High School and then attended Hardin-Simmons University where she met a young man named Thomas Carl Echols on the first day of school. They married on June 25, 1960 at Lums Chapel Baptist Church. She and Thomas Carl graduated in 1962 and moved to Ira, TX. After teaching for a year in Snyder, they moved to Fort Hood. While in the US Army, their first-born, Perry Doss, was born June 29, 1964 at Fort Hood Hospital. In 1965, they returned to their farm east of Snyder and began their long history as public school teachers in Snyder. Kay was a teacher/coach at Travis Junior High until 1969. She chose to stay home with her family as it continued to grow with the birth of Van in 1969 and then Rhonda in 1971. She returned to Travis Junior High for one year before the school closed in 1975. She then began her tenure at her beloved East Elementary, where she taught first grade until she retired in 2000.
Over their 61 years of marriage, Kay and Tommy developed an indelible partnership in the greater Snyder community. She loved and supported her husband faithfully for 61 years. She was so proud to be Mrs. Thomas C. Echols. Her influence spans 31 years of teaching in public schools, but extends to her life of faith lived out at First Baptist Church in Snyder. Whether she was teaching first grade, holding babies, singing in the choir or sorting books in the library, Kay made a difference in the lives of every person she met. She loved her Lord and the church where she served that also led out into the community at large. It was not rare to find her serving in concession stands, at food pantries and even the public library.
As a mother, Kay’s selflessness was never more evident. Whether she was juggling her family’s activities or caring for aging parents, she always kept it under control.
In 1999, Kay began what was to be her crowning jewel of service - that of “Grandmother.” She was great at everything she did, but she shined as a grandmother.
Carson Echols was born in 1999, followed by Garin Gartman and Clayton Echols in 2001, then Graysen Gartman in 2007. Whether she was reading stories or watching ballgames, or seizing every teachable moment, she loved every minute of being Grandmother. Her desire was to leave a sense of unconditional love and Christian legacy to her grandchildren as her grandmother had done for her.
Mrs. Echols is survived by her husband, Tommy Echols of Snyder, son Van Echols of Lubbock, TX; daughter Rhonda and Brad Gartman of League City, TX; grandchildren Carson Echols, Clayton Echols, Garin Gartman and Graysen Gartman
She was preceded in death by her son, Perry Doss Echols; parents, Doss and Vena Maner; in-laws, Perry and Iva Lee Echols; brothers, Wayne and Ray Maner; her sister Glenda Throckmorton.
Donations can be made in honor of Kay Echols.
First Baptist Church
Children’s Ministry
1712 27th Street
Snyder, TX 79549
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.millerfamilyfuneralhome.com
Family Visitation is planned for Sunday, November 28th, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Miller Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Monday, November 29th, 2021 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Dunn Cemetery at 2:00 pm under the direction of Miller Family Funeral Home.
Janice Kay Maner was born on November 5, 1939 in Littlefield, TX, along with her twin brother Ray (first set of twins in the new Littlefield Hospital), to Vena and Doss Maner. After growing up among the cotton fields, Kay graduated from Whitharral High School and then attended Hardin-Simmons University where she met a young man named Thomas Carl Echols on the first day of school. They married on June 25, 1960 at Lums Chapel Baptist Church. She and Thomas Carl graduated in 1962 and moved to Ira, TX. After teaching for a year in Snyder, they moved to Fort Hood. While in the US Army, their first-born, Perry Doss, was born June 29, 1964 at Fort Hood Hospital. In 1965, they returned to their farm east of Snyder and began their long history as public school teachers in Snyder. Kay was a teacher/coach at Travis Junior High until 1969. She chose to stay home with her family as it continued to grow with the birth of Van in 1969 and then Rhonda in 1971. She returned to Travis Junior High for one year before the school closed in 1975. She then began her tenure at her beloved East Elementary, where she taught first grade until she retired in 2000.
Over their 61 years of marriage, Kay and Tommy developed an indelible partnership in the greater Snyder community. She loved and supported her husband faithfully for 61 years. She was so proud to be Mrs. Thomas C. Echols. Her influence spans 31 years of teaching in public schools, but extends to her life of faith lived out at First Baptist Church in Snyder. Whether she was teaching first grade, holding babies, singing in the choir or sorting books in the library, Kay made a difference in the lives of every person she met. She loved her Lord and the church where she served that also led out into the community at large. It was not rare to find her serving in concession stands, at food pantries and even the public library.
As a mother, Kay’s selflessness was never more evident. Whether she was juggling her family’s activities or caring for aging parents, she always kept it under control.
In 1999, Kay began what was to be her crowning jewel of service - that of “Grandmother.” She was great at everything she did, but she shined as a grandmother.
Carson Echols was born in 1999, followed by Garin Gartman and Clayton Echols in 2001, then Graysen Gartman in 2007. Whether she was reading stories or watching ballgames, or seizing every teachable moment, she loved every minute of being Grandmother. Her desire was to leave a sense of unconditional love and Christian legacy to her grandchildren as her grandmother had done for her.
Mrs. Echols is survived by her husband, Tommy Echols of Snyder, son Van Echols of Lubbock, TX; daughter Rhonda and Brad Gartman of League City, TX; grandchildren Carson Echols, Clayton Echols, Garin Gartman and Graysen Gartman
She was preceded in death by her son, Perry Doss Echols; parents, Doss and Vena Maner; in-laws, Perry and Iva Lee Echols; brothers, Wayne and Ray Maner; her sister Glenda Throckmorton.
Donations can be made in honor of Kay Echols.
First Baptist Church
Children’s Ministry
1712 27th Street
Snyder, TX 79549
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.millerfamilyfuneralhome.com