Our dear mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend went to be with our heavenly Father on Feb. 17, 2014, leaving a giant hole in our lives. Her love and support molded our lives, improved our days and gave us courage to take on the world. Janet Maureen Lockhart Azbill joined her beloved husband of 56 years, Jack Azbill, in her new home in heaven. She must be especially elated to sit next to her mother again after 50 years of being apart.
Janet courageously battled her cancer for more than eight months. Cancer may have taken her life, but it never took her spirit or her soul. Those who visited her often commented that she did not look like a sick person. She rarely allowed her condition to keep her from attending Sunday services at Tammany View Baptist Church.
Janet was born on Dec. 15, 1936, in Santa Rosa, Calif., to Everett and Ethel Lockhart, the second of eight siblings. She grew up on a farm in Lewiston, Calif. She often recalled her days of chasing cows, swimming in the Trinity River with her brother and sisters and spending time with her grandparents. Her elementary school years were spent in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated in 1954 from Trinity County High School in Weaverville, Calif., where she gave her life to Jesus Christ and continually served him throughout her life.
She met her future husband while in high school, but had to wait until their paths met again at a local church service once he returned from a tour in the U.S. Navy. Jack Azbill and Janet Lockhart were married after a brief, six-month romance on July 16, 1955. For the next 56 years they were inseparable. They welcomed five children over the next seven years to their family, Elaine, Ken, Peggy, Paul and Mark. During these years, the Azbill's made their home primarily in the Kamiah and Grangeville area. Janet devoted herself to nurturing her children and raising them to love God.
Her children were her life, and serving God was her passion. She loved to share Bible stories with children, often hosting neighborhood backyard Bible clubs. She found her calling in teaching children's Sunday school. She held numerous teaching positions, influencing hundreds of children. She regularly played the piano accompanying the congregation in song each Sunday. She was not a trained pianist, but she had the rare gift to hear a song and then play it by ear.
In 1980, she along with her husband, Jack, enrolled in Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif. In May 1982, she earned her associate's degree in religious education. Upon graduation, the couple returned to Kamiah, where they pastored at the Pine Ridge Baptist Church for the next 12 years. They hosted several foster children during this time, all of whom were very special to them.
In 1996, Jack and Janet moved to Dayton. There they managed Camp Touchet for the Columbia Basin Baptist Association. Janet often mentioned that some of her fondest memories came from her time at Camp Touchet. Her days there were filled with animal watching, enjoying the serene mountain views and meeting various groups from all over the world. They moved to Lewiston in 2006 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Here Janet and Jack became active members of the Tammany View Baptist Church. In 2012, she lost the love of her life when her husband, Jack, was taken from her with colon cancer.
Janet has been blessed with many friends over the years. Their love and support helped her immensely. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing. Along with Jack, she loved to sing Southern gospel music. They would sing at local churches, senior centers and area concerts. Janet was always whistling or singing a tune.
She was so very proud of all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, deeply regretting that she was not able to meet her newest great-granddaughter arriving this April.
Janet is survived by her daughters, Elaine Roberts (Ken) and Peggy McKay (Chuck); her sons, Ken Azbill (Lupe) and Mark Azbill (Sherri); seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Azbill; son Paul Azbill; parents; and three brothers.
A celebration of her life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Tammany View Baptist Church, 3732 20th St., in the Lewiston Orchards. The Rev. Richard Pettijohn will officiate.
