Janey Elizabeth Miller Nantz

Services for Janey Elizabeth Miller Nantz 86, of Tyler, will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Rev. Glenn Jones officiating . Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Janey Elizabeth Miller Nantz was unexpectedly called to the Lord on April 10, 2016 in Houston, Texas surrounded by her children and friends. Born on August 5, 1929 outside of Commerce, Texas in Hunt County to Floyd and Jewel Miller, she grew up in Commerce, and was active in many things including singing and playing the violin and viola. Janey majored in music at East Texas Teacher’s College where she met George Summerlin. They married in 1948. In 1950, they moved to Chapel Hill, Texas where they both taught. After moving to Tyler in 1952, Janey quit teaching to have their three children, Debby, Becky and Rob. She was very active in the PTA while the children were in elementary school. In 1964, the family moved to Palestine, Texas where she continued to be active in the PTA, United Methodist Women and many other service organizations. She eventually became the choir director at First United Methodist Church, where she led the choir with her beautiful voice. She later went back to teaching choir for Palestine ISD. In 1982, she moved back to Tyler, Texas where she taught choir for Chapel Hill, ISD. She met Charles Curtis and married him in 1984 and went to work with him at Curtis Carpet. After his death in 1995, Janey continued to be active at her beloved Green Acres Baptist Church and the John Childs Sunday School class. She met JD Nantz and they married in 1998. They went on many Christian Builders trips, helping build new churches. She also was a volunteer for Salvation Army and even did a few stints as a bell ringer at Christmas. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Tyler Music Coterie Club. Janey loved traveling and went on several trips with her daughters to England, Scotland, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, US Virgin Islands, New Zealand, and Australia. Her last trip was an Alaskan cruise in September with a group from GABC. She had always wanted to go there. Janey enjoyed playing 42, bridge and dominoes, singing, visiting her children and playing with her grandchildren. Birdwatching, especially hummingbirds, was one of her favorite pastimes. Janey was a compassionate, loving, giving individual, whose love for her family and friends never wavered. Her beautiful smile and gracious manner will be missed by all who knew her. She was a blessing to those who knew her and precious to all who loved her. She is preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Jewel Miller of Commerce; sisters Martha Gray of Tyler and Sylvia Crunk of Houston; brother Autry Miller of Commerce; and husbands Charlie Curtis and JD Nantz, both of Tyler. She is survived by son Rob Summerlin; daughters Debby Summerlin and Becky Hanne and husband Gary; step- children Wayne and Pam Curtis, Cindy and Paul Bean, Jill Myers, Becky and Ralph Janotti, Deb and Ken McKinley, and Cindy and Rick Landrum; grandson Andrew Hanne; step grandchildren Amanda Hanne Best, Clayton Laughlin, Jeff Curtis, Ryan Curtis, Mehren Sandergaard, Kimberly Brem, Allison West, Michael Janotti, Josh McKinley, Chris Landrum, Alicia Mullins, Holly Fox and Kristi Wyatt; and several step great-grand children as well as nieces and nephews. Debby, Becky and Rob so appreciate all the love and support they have been given from family and friends. There will be a memorial held for Janey back in Sugar Land after they return. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, April 15, 2016 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to the Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75702 or Green Acres Baptist Church Mission Fund, 1607 Troup Hwy., Tyler, TX 75701.

Janey Elizabeth Miller Nantz

August 5, 1929 - April 10, 2016