Janie Pepper's Obituary
Vonricka Jane Richardson Pepper was born in Grandfield, OK on December 10, 1935, to Thurman and Tylene Anne Doss Richardson. Janie passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 8, 2025, with family by her side. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 67 years, James Cecil Pepper, her parents Thurman and Tylene Richardson, sister Mary Anne Richardson, brother Terry C. Richardson, daughters Melody Anne Pepper and Deborah Pepper Howell. Those left to cherish her memory are her son Joel David Pepper & wife Caryn of Longview, TX; sister Linda Lou Richardson Archer & husband Robert of Harlingen, TX; brother John Wiley Richardson & wife Alice of Longview, TX; foster daughter Katriana “Kat” Griffin & husband Tripp of Forney, TX; three grandchildren, Teresa “Teri” Clark of San Antonio, TX, George Pepper of Austin, TX, Landry Pepper of Longview, TX; three great grandchildren, Jonathan Garrett, James Garrett, and Paige Garrett Hayward & husband Paul “Bud” Hayward of Baytown, TX; one great, great granddaughter Theabelle Marie Hayward of Baytown, TX; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Janie is also survived by two much loved feline fur babies, Max and Paisley Grace.
Janie grew up attending elementary & Jr. High in Rio Hondo, TX then graduated from Raymondville High School in Raymondville, TX. Her favorite pastime growing up was riding her horse “Flicka” alongside her father on many real roundups and she dreamed of competing in barrel racing.
Janie met the love of her life, James C. Pepper, after he returned from serving in the Air Force in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War. He was stationed at Harlingen Air Force Base in Harlingen, TX, when they met at her best friend’s wedding in March of 1954. She knew that night that they would marry. They became engaged a week later and married on June 1, 1954.
James and Janie eventually settled in Chalk Hill, TX where they raised their three children that attended school in Tatum ISD. Over the years, Janie was employed as a nurse aide at Good Shepherd Hospital, a cosmetician and a sales lady at Fedway, Dillard’s, and Riff’s department stores in downtown Longview, TX. James and Janie were blessed with the opportunity to serve on numerous mission trips around the world and they also enjoyed traveling, including an African Safari, and numerous cruises to Alaska, New England, Canada, and Hawaii. James and Janie loved people and they had a special calling on their lives to joyfully serve others as Care Pastors at several churches in Longview, TX from 2007 – 2016.
Janie continued this care ministry at Motion Church after James passing in 2021 where she would greet and hug everyone that came through the doors on Sunday mornings. She had true discernment to recognize when someone needed prayer and you would often see her off to the side praying with those that came through the doors in need of encouragement and a prayer warrior.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and thanks for the care and compassion Janie received from Marshall Hospice and the staff at Parkview on Hollybrook, Senior Living including her besties at the “fun bunch table.” A special thank you to Cynthia Adair-Jones of White Oak, TX for the years of love, friendship, and support she brought to Janie after Melody’s passing in 1971.
Janie’s wishes were to have a private family burial at Chalk Hill Cemetery where she was buried with James’s ashes next to their daughter Melody. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. led by Pastor Chris Reid at Motion Church, 110 Triple Creek Circle #30, Longview, TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Motion Church Kicks for Kids https://www.motionchurch.com/general-6 Flowers may be delivered to Motion Church Friday, June 20 from 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday morning, June 21 from 7:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
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