Janet Marie Rushing

JANET MARIE QUALLS RUSHING, 69, of Brookshire, passed away April 12, 2013, at her home surrounded by family after enduring a valiant but arduous battle with cancer. Janet was born March 11, 1944 in Monticello, Illinois. The daughter of Lowell Raymond Qualls and Mildred Louise Ward Qualls Daech, she grew up and attended school in Decatur and Monticello. Janet met John "Buddy" Strocher through mutual friends in Decatur, Illinois. They married and raised a family of five together. Camping was the family's favorite pastime and most every weekend the family would pack up and head out to various National Parks. There are many fond memories of the various places the family traveled together throughout the years. Sunday afternoons were spent playing wiffle ball with cousins, and gathering at Grandma Strocher's house for fried chicken dinners and cold wienies was always a treat. Other fond family memories included Mexican food night, and helping Mom clean the garage. Whoever helped got to go with Mom to turn in the Pepsi bottles and keep the deposit money. Janet always had breakfast ready for her children to start their school day. She was a good cook and enjoyed trying new recipes. Some were good and some not so good! Four of her five children had September birthdays, and since she never wanted Phillip to feel left out, he always got presents also. Janet also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and cross stitching and made many beautiful afghans. An excellent seamstress, Janet sewed all of her children's clothes and even made Barbie clothes and doll clothes to match her daughters' outfits. Janet met David Rushing while she was employed as a judge's secretary and David was an officer for the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office. David says "her legs where what attracted him to her." They married and have made their home in Brookshire. They both later went to work for Katy ISD. Janet was a devoted mother, and her children knew they could talk to her about anything. When the grandchildren were born, Cindy and Sandy could always rely on Janet to answer any questions they had about child-rearing. Janet loved to read and watch "old TV" with David. She was also very devoted to her cats. She could be sarcastic and had a "take-charge" personality. She is survived by her HUSBAND OF 24 YEARS: David Murrell Rushing of Brookshire, Texas; DAUGHTERS: Cynthia Louise Ploch and her husband, Kevin, of Fairfield, Texas and Sandra Marie Matthews and her husband, Mike, of Richmond, Texas; SONS: Phillip Michael Strocher and his wife, Susannah of Pottsboro, Texas, and John Frederick Strocher, III and his wife, Kelly, of Missouri City, Texas; GRANDCHILDREN: Jennifer Louise Ploch and Joseph Thomas Ploch of Fairfield, Texas, Stephanie Marie Godines of San Antonio, Texas and Jessica Lynn Matthews of Angleton, Texas, Connor Davy Strocher and Caitlin Hannah Strocher of Pottsboro, Texas, Zoe Lin Strocher of Missouri City, Texas; and GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Lane Silar and Katlynn Ploch of Fairfield, Texas, and Aubrey, Brayden and Adrianna Godines of San Antonio, Texas. Janet is also survived by her MOTHER: Mildred Daech of Decatur, Illinois; SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW: Sharon and Bob Wilson of Murray, Kentucky; STEP-CHILDREN: Sherry Rene Rushing of South Dakota, Bunny Lynn Braswell of Amarillo, Texas, David Ray Rushing and his wife, Stacy of New Waverly, Texas, and Steven David Rushing of Katy, Texas; 7 STEP-GRANDCHILDREN; and 1 GREAT STEP-GRANDCHILD; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Lowell Raymond Qualls and her son, Gregory Thomas Strocher. The family would like to thank Houston Hospice Blue Team for the special care they provided to Mom.