Janie Tess Shelton Suter of Garland, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025, surrounded by her beloved family. She was 93 years old.

Born in Plano, Texas on April 23, 1932, Janie was the only child of Raymond and Ruth Shelton. Janie graduated from Baylor University in 1953 with a degree in elementary education. A proud Baylor Bear for the rest of her days, she never missed a Lady Bear's basketball game on TV. Among her most cherished recent memories was the day she held the men's NCAA Final Four trophy (something she never thought she'd see!) alongside Coach Scott Drew. Upon graduation, she met the love of her life, Dr. Carr Moore Suter, Jr., beginning a marriage that would span 53 years, until his death in 2006. After living in several cities across Texas and Oklahoma, the Lord led them to Garland, Texas in 1962, where they raised their two children, Shel and Amy.

Education was Janie's calling. In addition to earning her Master's Degree from Texas Woman's University in Early Childhood Education, Janie remained an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international organization dedicated to educational excellence and service. She taught kindergarten at First Baptist Church Garland and in the Garland Independent School District for over 20 years. Her exceptional work earned numerous accolades, including GISD Teacher of the Year. One year, her kindergarten class also won the Blue Ribbon award for their quilt submission at the Texas State Fair's Centennial celebration. Yet no award could match the tribute paid by many of her former students from Williams and Centerville elementary schools, who often sought her out years later simply to express their gratitude for the foundation she had given them.

Janie's deepest devotion was to her faith. When not teaching her GISD kindergarteners, she could be found at First Baptist Church Garland, where Carr served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Education for several decades. Her service to the church was extraordinary: she taught children's Sunday School for over 60 years, sang in the Praise Singers Choir, participated actively in the dinner club, and engaged in countless other classes and ministries. She dedicated herself to the Friendship House Ministry, ensuring no child in Garland went without books or school supplies.

In retirement, Janie and Carr continued serving wherever they were called, travelling the world on mission trips and even briefly studying at the Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary and College in Alberta.

Incredibly active well into her 90s, after Carr's passing, Janie channeled her grief into helping other widows and widowers, leading a GriefShare class at First Baptist Church for many years—a ministry so meaningful it brought six couples together in marriage.

Those who knew Janie will remember her unwavering faith, generous heart, unfaltering energy, and indomitable spirit. The tremendous outpouring of love she received in her final days reflected the impact she made during more than six decades in Garland. She lived as an example of a life devoted to the Lord and others, and that example will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Above all, Janie treasured her family. She delighted in her four grandchildren and was blessed to know her two great-granddaughters.

Janie is survived by her son, Carr Shelton Suter, his wife, Cheryl Lynne, and their daughter, Kelsie Lynne Suter, all of Houston; her daughter, Amy Ruth Claunch of Rockwall, and Amy's children, Jenna Tess Claunch Zarum and husband, Asaf Zarum, James Austin Claunch and wife, Gimena Gomez, and Jillian Carr Claunch; and her great-grandchildren, Mila Moore Zarum and Sophia Esther Zarum.

The family extends deep appreciation to those who cared for Janie in her final days: the doctors and nurses at Baylor Scott & White in Plano, the staff at CC Young and Grandbrook Memory Care, and the dear friends whose visits, cards, and prayers brought immense comfort during her last months.

Janie will be buried in a private family ceremony on Friday, December 12th.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Friday, January 16th at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, Janie's family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Garland Friendship House or The Legacy Continues building fund.

" His Lord said unto him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant..'" - Matthew 25:23