Obituary of Janice Johnson Rees

Our beloved Janice Johnson Rees, age 83, was called to our Heavenly Father on Friday, April 14, 2023.  She was greeted by her husband of 57 years, Charles S. Rees; her parents, Dennis and Reberta, and her brother and sister-in-law, Johnny Johnson and Netty.

From the time she was a child, Janice loved books and reading. She worked as an elementary school librarian in New Orleans for 25 years. When they moved to Austin, she volunteered as the school librarian at City School for 10 years. She loved to introduce children to the love of reading. One of her favorite things was to read children’s storybooks to each of her classes. She read the stories with animation and flair as she used different voices for the characters. 

She loved to spend time with her family. The grandkids had a special place in her heart. She and her husband, Charles, made it a priority to take a special trip with each grandkid when they turned 10 years old. Each trip was geared toward an interest or adventure that the kids would love. They travelled to Williamsburg, San Antonio, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and the Panama Canal.

A highlight of the year was the family beach trip. Her family would gather in Gulf Shores, Alabama for a week at the beach. Everyone would count down the days until they could get together for walks on the beach, fishing, games, shrimp, and chocolate lasagna. 

While her husband was alive, they would celebrate their anniversary once a month, calling it their “monthaversary.” Janice passed away on April 14th, which was their 730th monthaversary.

Janice is survived by her children, JoBeth Kee-Rees and her husband, Jim, Jennifer Druckenmiller and her husband, David, and John Rees and his wife, Ellen; her treasured grandchildren, Sophia Kee-Rees, Luke Kee-Rees, Hope Druckenmiller, Anna Rush and her husband, Luke, Drew Druckenmiller, Naomi Rees, Isaiah Rees, Will Rees, and Joshua Rees, and many other loving family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Mission Funeral Home - South Side, 6204 S. First St., Austin, Texas.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 also at Mission Funeral Home - South Side.  Interment will follow at Live Oak Cemetery, 10739-10799 Twin Creek Rd, Manchaca, Texas.

The Funeral Service will be live-streamed to allow those unable to attend to participate.  Follow link to Facebook Live Mission - South Side

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to City School in Austin: City School in Austin Link