Janis M. Shumate Brizendine

I, Janis M. Shumate Brizendine, 84, was born in McGraw, W.Va. On April 16, 2012, in Louisville, Kentucky, I completed my life on Earth and was reunited with my loved ones who preceded me to Eternity.

In 1960, Owensboro became home to my family: my husband, Marine M/Sgt. John Brizendine, Jr.; our daughter, Jana and our son, John III. Both graduated from Owensboro High School. Jana graduated from U.K. as a physical therapist, married John Mason and moved to Louisville where she began her private practice. John III graduated from W.K.U., Married Judy Lutrell, joined the Marines, where he became a helicopter pilot and attained the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring to California. Following his military retirement he became a teacher of incarcerated youth.

After earning a Master's degree and Rank One degree from W.K.U, I taught school in Owensboro for 30 years. I was a member of Third Baptist Church; Old Owensboro Neighborhood Alliance; Kentucky Retired Teachers; the N.E.A.; American Association of University Women; Chairperson of the J.Z. Moore Historical Alliance; the Womans Club of Owensboro; the Kentucky Colonels; The Owensboro Garden Club; the Art Guild; "Just Write" Group; an oil painting organization; two reading clubs; and the Red Hat Gypsies. Oil painting was my hobby and many of my portraits and landscapes are displayed in homes throughout the U.S.

Preceding me to Eternity were my husband, John in 1995; my son, John, in 1998; my parents, Lon and Lessie Shumate; my brother, Donald Shumate in 2005; and grandparents, Oak and Lura McGraw and R.L. and Nancy Shumate.

I am survived by my daughter, Jana, and her husband, Richard Greenwell; Jana's children, Jessika Hagan and her husband Scott, John Mason and his fianc Crystal, Briz Mason and his wife Michelle and Ross Mason and his wife Katie; my first grandchild, Kelly D'Innocenti and her husband Alessandro (With an additional great grandchild expected in July) ; great grandchildren, Jerimyah and Avery Hagan, Cassariah, Hailee, Austin and Addison Mason, Tucker Mason and his soon to arrive sister, Priscilla Sue Mason; daughter-in-law, Judy Krider and her husband Jon; brother, Glen Shumate; sister-in-law, Nellie Whisenant and many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.



I was blessed to love and be loved by so many children - my daughter, son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the hundreds of children who passed through my classroom. I hope I have made a difference in this world and that it's a better place by my having been here. I will carry that love into eternity and leave my love with all of you forever.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Dr. Joe Thomas will officiate. Burial will be at Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of service.

The family requests that expressions of condolences be sent to the following charities:
Intrepid Fallen Heroes
http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/Donate.aspx
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society
http://www.nmcrs.org