Janie Laverne Lewis

Janie Laverne Lewis was born on February 5, 1938, to Wiley T. and Cleota Loosier in Henrietta, Texas. As a small child, she and her family moved to Taft, CA, where she attended Taft city schools and graduated from Taft Union High School in 1956.

Janie began knitting and crocheting at the age of 12 and loved to make blankets, sweaters, hats and slippers for all of her friends and family, which are now cherished family heirlooms. In 2017, she won a first-place ribbon at the Kern County Fair for one of her knitted afghans, for which she was very proud.

Janie worked at the Taft DMV for 23 years, and has fond memories and made lasting friendships from her employment there.

Janie was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley T. and Cleota Loosier, as well as her husband, Jack R. Lewis. She was also preceded in death by her aunt, Nita Thomas, who was more like a sister, whom she loved very much.

During their marriage, Janie and Jack loved to camp in Pismo, visit Tachi Palace, and enjoyed going to race tracks all over California to watch the horse races.

Janie is survived by her brother, Tom Loosier (Shelley); son, Rick Robertson; daughter, Pam Buck (Brian); and Step-sons, John Barrett (Robin) and Vincent Barrett. Grandchildren include: Jessica Stumbaugh (Travis); Anthony Wuco; Brooke Campbell; Andrea Robertson; John, Jared, Jacob, and Breelynn Barrett; and Cody Barrett. Great-grandchildren include: Kathryn White, Ronnie White, Mason Stumbaugh, Abbigail and Madison DeRevere, and Tatum Campbell.

An informal, open house style, memorial will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Erickson and Brown Funeral Home in Taft from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for those who wish to pay their respects. In accordance with her wishes, Janie will be cremated and her ashes spread on her daughter and son-in-law’s property in Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Hoffman Hospice, or any charity of their choosing. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Hoffman Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Janie in her final days.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.