Janet Diane Kilgore

Graveside services for Janet Diane Kilgore, 73, of Diboll will be held Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Forest Haven Cemetery with Billy Sims officiating.

Mrs. Kilgore was the second child of Charlene Ella Mae (Ray) and Wesley Purcell, born December 6, 1944 in Seattle, Washington. She died Monday, November 26, 2018 at her residence.

After living in Wichita, Kansas for eight years, Mrs. Kilgore moved to Diboll, Texas. She had 15 years of marriage to Ruben Kilgore and they had five sons who were the joy of her life, along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her early years she played softball, taught Sunday school, and was Den Mother for the Boy Scouts. After attending Angelina College at night while working at Temple White during the day, she was hired at Memorial Hospital straight out of college, working 33 years at a job she loved dearly. Mrs. Kilgore served as President of the Surgical Technologists for four surrounding hospitals. She retired from the Anesthesia Department and Surgery, only because she had cancer. Mrs. Kilgore continued working at Joe W. Elliott House until 2015, when her third round with cancer came back. In 2017 she started volunteering. Her hobbies were scrapbooking, collecting John Wayne items, and research for genealogy. Mrs. Kilgore attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Lonnie Kilgore, Ronnie and Stacy Kilgore, all of Diboll, Donnie and Debbie Kilgore of Pearland, and Tommie Kilgore of Diboll; daughter-in-law, Teresa Kilgore of McMinnville, Oregon; grandchildren and spouses, Korie and Ryan Albertson of Longview, Kraig Kilgore of Diboll, Jeremy Kilgore of Pearland, Gracie and Wesley Kilgore of McMinnville, Oregon, Amber and Tanner Hamilton of Dickinson, Brandon Hopp of Groveton, and Roman Cantu of Pearland; great-grandchildren, Kolton Kilgore, Alexis Cantu, Roman Cantu, Hunter Hopp, Lucus Hopp, Gunner Hamilton, and Isaiah Cantu; sister, Machelle Vasquez of Lufkin; brother, Charles Welch of Pollok; nieces, Renee Hiser of Pasadena, Shannon Reyes of Lufkin, Daisy Fenner of Diboll, Sundie Purcell of Woodville, and Lisa Brown; nephews, Mark Vasquez and Freddie Vasquez; uncle, Mike Wray of Hutchinson, Kansas; cousin, Sharon Cantrell of Houston; and a number of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben Kilgore; son, Jonnie Kilgore; mother and stepfather, Charlene and Jack Brewer; father and stepmother, Wesley and Blanche Purcell; stepfather, William Welch; brothers, Gary Purcell, Frank Welch, Steven Purcell, and Larry Welch; sisters, Kristy Rodriguez, Pat Riddle and Mary Hudson; nephews, Eugene Welch and Gary, Jr. and Twyla; and aunts, Paulene Martin and Frankie Conner.

Pallbearers will be Charles Coleman, Mike Bland, Thomas Helm, Tim Lackey, Gary Rector, Pete Olivera, and James Comstock.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.