Clara Jane (Janie) Carrens, 87, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015, in Friendswood, where she resided the last five years.

Janie was born in Haskell, Oklahoma, on September 24, 1927. Her family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she graduated from Central High School in 1945. She attended the University of Tulsa for two years while working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Janie married the love of her life, Gerald Carrens, in September of 1949. She willingly moved every time Gerald had a job transfer or accepted a new job which meant moving one to five children in the process. 

They moved to Beaumont in 1965.  All five of their children graduated from Beaumont High School and then Lamar University in Beaumont. Janie and Gerald were extremely proud of the children and their accomplishments.  She returned to the workforce when her two youngest were in elementary school. Janie retired from Southwestern Bell/AT&T in the late 1980’s.  She and Gerald then “hit the road” and traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world.

Her “green thumb” was envied by many including friends, family, and acquaintances. Janie could grow any kind of plant and rescued many plants given to by friends and family.

Her loving husband, Gerald, preceded her in death in 2005.

Janie is survived by her children, Geralann Barnes and her husband, Charlie; John Carrens and his wife, Valerie; Bill Carrens and his wife, Donna; Patty Carrens and her husband, Glenn Ellis; Russell Carrens and his wife, Heidi; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Friendswood and Faith Community Hospice LLC for their kindness and compassionate care.

A gathering of Mrs. Carrens’ family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 2015, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.