Janie Hunter

Funeral services for Janie Hunter, 70, of Lufkin will be held Friday, January 25, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Marlow Shubert officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Janie was born June 18, 1948 in Lufkin, Texas to Ruby (Smelley) and the late J.P. Hunter, and died Friday, January 18, 2019 at her residence.

Janie was a lifelong resident of Lufkin, graduating from Lufkin High School in 1966, and retiring from Lufkin ISD after more than 30 years of teaching. Janie had a special gift and a one of a kind connection for all types of animals. She believed all animals should be treated humanely and have a safe place to call home for their entire lives. She was the founder and president of East Texas Paws, Inc. a non-profit, no-kill, care-for-life sanctuary which was granted 501(c)(3) status in 2003.  Janie dedicated over 50 years of her life sheltering abused and abandoned animals and promoting the spay/neuter of dogs and cats in the East Texas area. Janie helped thousands of individuals in the community and surrounding areas with the ever growing need to care for these animals.

Janie was able to fulfill a lifelong goal of writing a book in 2016, Paws & Tales: True Stories of Animal Rescue, Redemption, and Mysteries Among Us, in which she recounted many of her most amazing rescue stories.

Survivors include her husband, Michael Lazarine of Lufkin; sons, Hunter Everett Griffith and George Eric Griffith; numerous grandchildren; mother, Ruby Moore; brother, Mark Hunter; and numerous other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, J.P. Hunter and stepfather, Richard Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to East Texas Paws, Inc., 2881 FM 326, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Friday morning prior to the service.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com .

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.

Please Click Here for live webcasting of the service.