Janet Townsend Crain

Janet Townsend Crain, 68, went home to be with the Lord on September 17, 2020.  She was born March 11, 1952 and was adopted as an infant by E. Mac Townsend and Claire Mae (Ball) Townsend.  She grew up in Frederick, Oklahoma where she had many fond childhood memories.  After graduation from Frederick High School in 1970, she went to the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of the President’s Leadership Class, co-chair for University Sing and President of Omicron Nu.  She was also an officer in her sorority Alpha Chi Omega.  She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1974.  She later received a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma.  She married Terry Crain on March 9, 1998.

Janet taught Home Economics at Dickson High School in Ardmore for three years and taught three years as Home Economics teacher and Girls Track coach at Jarman Junior High School in Oklahoma City.  She also taught 23 years as Child Care teacher at the Mid-Del Technology Center in Midwest City, Oklahoma where she was named teacher of the year on more than one occasion.

Janet loved attending OU football games where she was a season ticket holder.  Her two favorite games that she attended were the 63-14 victory over University of Texas and the national championship win over Florida State University, both in the 2000 season.  She also loved to travel, visiting all of the continents except Antarctica.  For several years, she was a teacher/leader for People to People in which she took high school students on trips abroad during the summer.  With People to People, she visited China, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.  She also traveled extensively with her husband, often on cruise ships.  One of her favorite trips was in 2018 when they went to India, Dubai UAE, Sri Lanka and Singapore.  Of course she also loved to travel to Abilene, Texas to visit her sister and her family.  She also loved play to play Bunco with her neighborhood bunco group.  Following her retirement, Janet developed a love of china painting, producing many works of art over the years and cultivating many new friendships in several china painting clubs.  She was an excellent painter and many of her paintings are displayed in her home.  She also loved to give her paintings to friends and relatives.

Janet is a member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman, Oklahoma and the Crossroads Sunday school class.  She worked as a volunteer at the McFarlin Food Pantry and the Congregational Care committee.  Janet is a past president of the University Women’s Association, the World Organization of China Painters, and the University Women’s Investment Club.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her loving husband, Terry of the home; his son, Phillip Crain and wife Kristina of South Orange, New Jersey; grandchildren, Melia Crain and Wesley Crain; sister, Jean Goodnight and husband Gary of Abilene, Texas; niece, Ashley Hall and husband Jason of Abilene, Texas; niece, Lauren Ellis and husband Carlton of Houston, Texas; great nephews, Webb Hall and Ellis Hall; great nieces, Paige Ellis and Jane Ellis; and her two Yorkies, Wendy and Sophia. 

The family is appreciative of the loving care provided by the nurses of Lifespring Hospice during Janet’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Food Pantry at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 S University, Norman, Oklahoma, 73069.