Janet Taylor Gibbens

Janet Gibbens, 84, doesn’t have Alzheimer’s anymore! Jan passed away on Dec 29, 2020 in Sachse, TX, enveloped in her family’s love and surrounded by devoted caregivers. Her family finds comfort — as Jan would — in 1 Peter 5:10: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” Jan was born on Feb 18, 1936 in San Antonio, TX to Mabel I. Specht and Walter L. Cravey. Jan lost her father, a newly commissioned Army officer, in 1942 when his military transport plane crashed in a field near Chicago. Jan had only a few precious years with her dad, but she cherished her memories of him, particularly that Walter called her his sweet San Antonio Rose. Jan and Mabel flourished in Breckenridge, TX as a tight mother-daughter duo until Jan left home to attend North Texas State College and then to marry in Aug 1956 her friend and sweetheart, Lenial R. Gibbens. Jan’s two daughters were born in ‘57 and ‘59; they were her pride and delight, more often than not. Jan was charming, creative, and generous. An accomplished seamstress, she loved to create gifts for family and friends: quilts, costumes, clothing. Jan loved music: she played tenor saxophone at Breckenridge High School in the 50’s, and again with the Mesquite Community Band into the early 2000s. Jan had a teachers heart like her mother: she worked as a teacher’s aide at McDonald Middle School in Mesquite, TX for more than 20 years — and she taught Sunday School School at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church for close to 30 years. Jan loved a good dog, a good book, and a good hamburger, not necessarily in that order. Jan’s parents and husband predeceased her. She is survived by daughters Julia Laderach (Bob) of Denton, TX; Vicki Stevenson of Rowlett, TX; grandchild Taylor May of Austin, TX, and dear cousins, nieces, and nephews. A private service will be held at at DFW National Cemetery on January 11, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association or your local food bank/shelter.