Janet Carol Vail R
Proverbs 31:10-31: Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Richard Smith and Pastor Donny Parrish officiating. Interment under the direction of Capps Memorial Chapel was at Lake Chapel Cemetery.
Janet Carol Vail Race left this earth to be welcomed in embrace by her Heavenly Father on Aug.18, 2022, at the age of 63 in Waco. Janet was born to Thomas Vail and Lavonne Vail Thames on Oct. 17, 1958, in Beaumont. She grew up in Bridge City, where she accepted the Lord as her savior at Circle Drive Baptist Church. On May 12, 1979, she married the love of her life, Shelby Lynn Race. Shelby and Janet began their life of service together and eventually settled in Fairfield, where they have faithfully served Calvary Baptist Church for 38 years. She became the proud mother of a son, Jonathan Kirk, on Dec. 9, 1980, and a daughter, Amy Rachelle, on March 11, 1983. Janet served as an educator for more than 33 years. She dedicated much of her career to Fairfield ISD until her retirement in 2019.
Janet’s love for her community was often expressed through her creativity in the kitchen as well as in the craft room. Friends and fellow church members always sought to devour her dishes at potlucks, her famous gumbo, and it didn’t feel like Christmas time until she made her long-awaited annual treats. She could often be found in the church nursery loving on babies. Even fur babies were not exempt from her love, always knowing who in the room would give them a portion of her dinner. The Races enjoyed traveling with friends and catching baseball games at major league stadiums across the country.
Janet and Shelby truly fulfilled the roles of the community steward that God placed on them. Attending any events at which the vast amount of children they loved performed or played. Her love of community was never satisfied as she would insist on driving any distance to support the children, church family and ones she loved.
Of the many gifts that God has granted Kirk and Amy, the greatest gift He gave them was Janet as a mother. They were never shortchanged in praise and adulation from Janet.
Whenever and wherever, Janet never missed an opportunity to brag on her actor of son, her gracious giving daughter, or her stalwart guitar playing son in love.
Janet’s mission in her earthly life was to serve as a witness of her Lord and Savior’s love, grace, and forgiveness bestowed upon anyone who accepts his gift of salvation. If Janet could share a verse with anyone today it would be John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Janet is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Vail; and stepfather, Jess Thames.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Shelby of Fairfield; her son, Jonathan Kirk of Ennis; her daughter, Amy Rutledge and husband Greg of Bastrop; her mother, Lavonne; her sister, Dianne Hail and husband Mike (her son Chris Landry and granddaughters, Kourtney Pickens and Kacie Hall);
Brother, Don Vail and his wife Polly Vail (their children Sara White and Chad Vail and grandchildren Hannah, McKinley, and Madison White and Connor and Caleb Vail); and her adopted by love families, Tommy, Rachel, Connor and Allie Petty and Devin, Nikki, Riley, Jaxon and Remy DiGuilio.
Those who wish to view an online obituary, send a personalized sympathy card, or leave the family a personal tribute may visit www.cappschapel.com