LUTON, HELEN JANICE (1920 ~ 2023). The folowing is an obituary for Janice Luton, spouse of Jesse Luton Jr., who was approved for burial at the Texas State Cemetery by the Cemetery Committee. The obituary was provided by the Luton Family.

Helen Janice Luton, known as Janice, passed away on May 13, 2023, at the age of 103 in her home in Austin. She always had a sense of perfect timing, passing on Mother's Day weekend. With a dry wit and dressed to the nines even in her final days, Janice's legacy of Texas grit, laughter, optimism, and resilience will live on.

Janice was born on February 22, 1920, in Pottsboro, a small Texas town north of Dallas. She was the third of four daughters of George and Janie Anderson. The Andersons, relatively prosperous, owned a farm, a general merchandise store, a granary, and two Model-Ts. Sadly, Janice's father passed away when she was just six years old. That tragedy, along with the onslaught of the Great Depression, resulted in the family losing almost everything.

As a result, Janice and her youngest sister were sent to the Masonic Home in Fort Worth in the early 1930s, which provided education and support for orphans and children of single-parent Masons. Though faced with hardship, Janice would describe that period with her glass-half-full outlook on life, "everybody was poor, we just didn't know it."

In 1941, Janice moved to Austin, three months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was hired by the State Board of Control for what she referred to as a "very important position" - including the responsibility of ordering all the toilet paper for the State of Texas. After World War II's end, Janice met Jesse P. Luton, Jr., a dashing captain in the Army Corps of Engineers who had just returned to Austin to finish his law degree at the University of Texas. For Jesse, it was love when he first laid eyes on Janice - a striking beauty in a red dress walking down the steps of the imposing Texas Capitol. After three dates, one to a University of Texas football game, they married on December 27, 1945. Though in our days one might question the urgency of their nuptials, Janice would reply "That's just what they did back then."

As the couple created a family and as Jesse achieved significant career accomplishments, Janice began to refer to her husband as "Mr. Luton," a playful nod to his formal and serious demeanor. While Mr. Luton became a revered attorney, Janice was a perfect balance as his quick-witted, stylish wife. Janice was also, for the most part, the parent that raised their four children. While Janice was lenient, Mr. Luton was not. Janice, as a mother, excelled at softening Jesse's disciplinary style with the children.

Janice was blessed with that rare personality that could not only captivate a room but have people in stitches with her direct, clever sense of humor. As a star attorney and later General Counsel of Gulf Oil Corporation, Mr. Luton would essentially suggest that she be demure while attending corporate functions. Of course, she did not follow his advice. As Jesse would typically say after one of her zinger comments, "Good Lord, Janice!" while mostly keeping his wry smile in check. Janice was adored by many of the numerous attorneys in the Gulf Law Department, and she had special bonds with most of the women lawyers at Gulf. She likely brought them some needed levity to an otherwise male-dominated profession of those times.

While Mr. Luton and Janice were quite different, they truly were the perfect match. They were married for 67 years until Mr. Luton passed away in 2013.

Janice was beloved by all and had a wealth of friends. As she aged, most of her friends passed. Janice missed them dearly, especially her best friend, Molly Smith. On hard days, Janice would lament, "All I want to do is go to heaven and see Molly."

Janice is survived by her four children, Jan Shaw of Reno, Janie Dennis of Dallas, and John Luton and Joel Luton, both of Austin. She was also blessed with five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Though she led a full, long, and vital life, she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

The family would like to thank all her caregivers who provided her support, comfort, and love. Extra special thanks to Estela Garcia who brought her devoted love, Mexican spice, and a few margaritas.

Janice's remains will be placed in the Texas State Cemetery next to Mr. Luton - a prominent and honored Texan. As a true Texas Grande Dame, she too will be an honored Texan. God Bless Janice!