Janice Marie Singleton

Janice Marie Singleton, 88, of Taylor, Texas, transitioned into eternal rest on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

Janice was born to Clarence Tessmer and Geraldine (Ganster) Tessmer at City Hospital in Meadville, PA, on June 30, 1937. Janice attended Meadville schools and graduated from Meadville High School in 1955. After high school, she began working for Bell Telephone Company. There, she met the love of her life, Lee Singleton, in Meadville, and they eloped to Winston-Salem, NC. They returned to Meadville, a married couple, and soon started a family, welcoming five children to their union: Linda Lee, Carwynn (Corky), Michael, Martha Shelby Waive, Brett James, and Christopher John. Of course, Janice became a Homemaker once the little ones started coming along. Little did she know she would eventually become a naturalized Texan. Lee, being from Texas, decided in 1963 that it was time to pack up his family and move home to Austin, Texas. Once in Texas, Lee and Janice welcomed one more child, Lenora Kathryn Elizabeth. Janice eventually went back to work for Bell Telephone Co. She worked her way up from Operator to become an Operations Manager. When “Ma” Bell was made to break up their “monopoly” and the dust settled, Janice ended up working for AT&T. Janice retired from AT&T in 1990, at which time she and Lee began to travel extensively, pulling an RV.

Janice had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing. She sang in her church choir all her life. She was a part of the Austin Civic Chorus for many years. She also loved to garden and especially loved her roses.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, her soulmate Lee Singleton, and three of her children: Corky, Shelby, and Chris, and one great-great-grandchild. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her remaining children, Linda Shields (Dave), Brett Singleton (Kim), and Kathryn Clakley (Robert), and her honorary daughter, Candy Murray. She also leaves 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Janice is also survived by her sister, Karen Tessmer, and brother, David Tessmer, and his wife, Mary.

Janice accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She was raised Lutheran but converted to Nazarene before leaving Pennsylvania. She became a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Austin in 1966.

Special Thanks to Candy Murray for all the years of loving care given to Mama.

Family and Friends will gather for a Graveside service at Hunt Cemetery in Liberty Hill on Friday, August 29th, at 10:00 AM with Reverend L.R. Wilson presiding.