Janet Richardson Maness, 71, of Beaumont, died Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont.

Janet began her professional career in Beaumont. She moved to Clear Lake City in the early 1960’s and was employed by Philco-Ford. Philco-Ford was NASA’s prime contractor at the time. Jan started in the Human Resources Department as an interviewer. Jan was instrumental in finding the “best of the best” engineers, illustrators, managers, secretaries, etc. She quickly moved up the ladder and became the Manager of Recruiting. Jan traveled to colleges and universities and recruited engineers to join our company. She encouraged her employees to learn each other’s jobs so that they could move up whenever an opportunity presented itself. Jan became Director of Human Resources. She made many friends and gave 110% of her talents to the company.

Jan was recruited by Mitchell Energy to go downtown Houston to become their Director of Human Resources. She considered it an honor to be chosen to become an integral part of a very large oil and gas company. Jan was highly regarded by George Mitchell who was an important figure in the economy of Texas. When one of the employees lost her home in a fire, Jan contracted all employees and asked for their help to get this employee back on her feet. Jan was the first to contribute and before the week was up, the employee received everything she needed to begin over again. She was a champion of the “underdog”. Helping others was a way of life for Jan and she continued this crusade throughout her life.

She had an accident in 1975 that would preclude her from full time employment and also relegated her to a wheel chair for the rest of her life. But after rehabilitation, Jan and Michael married and she opened a great resale shop in Beaumont. This was a successful business and again Jan carried on her legacy of giving. If someone came to the shop but didn’t have quite enough money-you guessed it, she contributed from her own pocket.

Jan and Michael moved to Ashville, North Carolina where Jan blossomed. She thoroughly enjoyed being a member of Junior League, being a member of the hospital board and assisting her doctor as he office manager. As a result of Jan’s volunteer hours and her tenacity, a multitude of impoverished families were fed and clothed. She gave much time to help raise money and support for so many projects that it is almost impossible to list them. One project she worked on with a close friend was the Lewis Rathbun Center. Jan volunteered her time and helped raise the money to start the building project. Jan’s effort earned her the respect and admiration of many people in Ashville. Suffice to say that Jan was involved in making the world a better place for many people. Jan and Michael were active members of their church and loved North Carolina.

Jan and Michael moved back to Texas because of Jan’s mother’s health. Jan’s mother lived with them until she succumbed to her illness. Jan had many health problems during the last couple of years of her life. Through pain and setbacks, Jan kept going. Even when Jan was in pain and not feeling good, she was still helping people. If Jan could say anything to us, I believe it would be, “Thank God, I’m free at last”!

She is survived by her husband, Michael Maness; nephews, Reed Richardson and Ry Richardson, both of Beaumont; and sister-in-law, Pam Richardson.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Ronnie Richardson, who died on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

A combined gathering for Janet and her brother, Ronnie, will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A family committal will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.