Janette Lee Donalson Van Winkle

Janette Lee Donalson Van Winkle, 92, of Silsbee was born February 3, 1932, in Kirbyville, Texas, to Nancy Ann Tompkins Donalson and George Emery Donalson, Jr. She died January 2, 2025, in Beaumont, Texas.

Janette grew up in Silsbee, Texas, and attended Silsbee High School. She graduated in 1949 and always enjoyed her class reunions with lifelong friends. The summer of 1949 she loaded her car and headed off to Huntsville, to attend Sam Houston Teacher’s College. She graduated from Sam Houston in 1953 with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Education. Later that year, she embarked on her teaching career in Hull-Daisetta. Janette began teaching in Silsbee in 1954. She also married the love of her life, Thomas Edison “Eddie” Van Winkle, Sr. They were married for 52 years before her love was called to Heaven. After 36 years of educating and inspiring the youth of Silsbee, she retired in 1990. She was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church, member of Eclectics Sorority, Teachers Sorority, Silsbee Women’s Club, and Silsbee Garden Club.

Janette spent her retirement days involved in a number of community clubs and associations, donating her time and talents giving back. She proudly served on the American Heart Association Board and even walked in their Turkey Trot walk-a-thon to raise awareness and continue research funding for heart disease.

Her heart, also, encompassed a treasure trove of love which spanned the globe traveling the world with her life love, Eddie. They took on an exciting journey during those retirement years becoming tour stewards forming new friendships sharing the love of travel. Those travels took them to Germany, Europe, Austria and from Alaska to Hawaii. Be it by land, by sea, or by air, her bags were packed and ready to go! They also enjoyed intercontinental travel with old childhood friends that took them to the heart of England for 4 weeks spanning the countryside backroads sightseeing.

But Janette’s most favorite place in the world was the heart of her home. She was the heart of her home. Her joys were gardening, watching the Astros, putting jigsaw puzzles together and playing cards. Alongside her, her beloved canine companion Elmo who made time alone after losing Eddie to Alzheimer’s, a little more bearable. Family and friends alike there was always an open door-a cup of coffee- a piece of pie. Grandkids to little kids in the neighborhood knocking on her door, they all came to MeMe’s for cookies and candy. And if it were chocolate, all the better! She loved chocolate!

We fill our hearts today with those and all the precious moments her long, beautiful life afforded us. All the memories are near and dear to our hearts until we, too, are called home to Heaven.

Survivors include her children, Eddie Van Winkle and his wife, Sherry, of Silsbee; Nora Welch of Beaumont; and Nancy Jacks and her husband, Jeffrey, of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Regina Van Winkle of Port Arthur; Thomas E. Van Winkle, III and his wife, Patricia, of Round Rock; Kirby Thierheimer and her husband, Zach, of Seabrooke; Daniel Van Winkle of Lumberton; Jennifer Durham of Silsbee; Marshall Van Winkle and his wife, Emily, of Edinburgh; and Kathryn Jacks, Scott Jacks, and Nicole Jacks, all of Nacogdoches; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Karen Van Winkle.  She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eddie Van Winkle; son, Keith Van Winkle; and siblings, Jarrel Donalson, Mildred Worthy, George Donalson, III, and Helen Bistline.

A gathering of Mrs. Van Winkle’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Silsbee Methodist Church, 670 North 5^th Street, Silsbee. Her interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery, Silsbee, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.

The family would like to thank Spanish Trail Assisted Living for their care to Janette during her time of need.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Silsbee Methodist Church, 670 North 5th Street, Silsbee, Texas 77656, silsbeemc.com/giving, or a charity of one’s choice.