Janice Marie Beaman (née Smith)

“Our loved ones rest among the flowers, forever blooming in our hearts.”

— Inspired by In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

Janice Marie Beaman (née Smith), lovingly known as “Jan,” passed away on April 6, 2026, at the age of 78. Born on March 15, 1948, in Michigan City, Indiana, to Billie Warren Smith and Evelyn Eilene Smith (Head), she made her way to Texas by way of Arkansas as soon as she could. Texas became her true home, and she loved being a Texan.

To those who knew and loved her most, she was “Nana”—and she was, without question, the quintessential Nana. She proudly called herself the “everyday Nana,” finding her greatest joy in being present in the daily lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Through her love of quilting, sewing, and gardening, she passed down not only skills, but traditions, patience, and love—gifts that will continue for generations.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her children, James Warren Beaman (Sherrie), Jodilyn Marie Goodwin, and Jason Wayne Goodwin (LeighAnn). She leaves behind nine grandchildren, Rachel Janice Beaman (Ramiro), Emily Jean Stubbs (James), Hannah Marie Beaman (Jeremy), KayLeigh Evelyn Louise Tennison (Branton), Justin Warren Beaman, Helen Eilene Goodwin Villanueva (Sebastian), Ty Wesley Goodwin (Eliana), Carolyn Marie Goodwin Wilson, and Nathaniel Manuel Goodwin Ortega, and five great-grandchildren, Richard Warren Garcia, Noah James Stubbs, Jackson Tyler Stubbs, Cohen David Jacobs, and Joleigh Anne Tennison all of whom brought her immense pride and joy. She is also survived by her siblings, Karren Charlene Pelts (Ben), Cheryl Lynn Mangham, Brian Ward Smith (Pamela), and Michelle “Mickey” Dee Syzdek (Sam).

Jan’s constant companion, her beloved poodle Lucky, will miss her dearly. She is also survived by her special friends, Laura Vega and Janie Dale, who were among her greatest supporters as a proud “Nana.” She held a special place in her heart for her honorary great-grandchild, Heriberto “Chino” Vega.

For 30 years, Jan served as the Office Manager for the Law Office of Jodi Goodwin. In that role, she touched the lives of thousands of clients and families. She loved her work deeply, especially the opportunity to help others. She was the backbone of the office—keeping everything running smoothly while offering constant encouragement, compassion, and hope to both staff and clients.

Jan was also the founder of the Frontera Quilt Guild, Inc., an educational nonprofit organization in Harlingen, Texas, established in 2000 to preserve and promote the art of quilting. Over the years, she shared her passion with hundreds of people throughout the Rio Grande Valley by teaching classes, organizing sew days, and leading community service projects. These efforts included creating and coordinating handmade quilts and pillowcases for charitable organizations such as the Veterans Administration, Blue Sunday, Sunny Glen, and La Posada Providencia.

Jan had a deep love for textiles and fiber arts. She was an avid quilter and needle artist who never met a pattern she couldn’t master. Much of her free time was spent at her sewing machine or doing handwork under her Ott Lite. She passed on these skills to her children and grandchildren—teaching all of them to sew, embroider, quilt, and crochet. Even her boys learned to operate a sewing machine.

Together, they created countless projects—community donation quilts and pillowcases, as well as tiny blankets for stuffed animals. The brightest smile on Nana’s face came from this time spent side by side with her family. Her final “WIP” (for the quilting ladies who know) was a red, white, and blue military donation quilt. The pieces were cut, the borders nearly ready. She had time at her sewing machine on Easter Sunday before family dinner and the egg hunt. Aside from her work, which gave her purpose, she most loved her time “at the sewing machine.”

Moving to the Rio Grande Valley in 1997 brought new purpose and direction. Between helping establish her daughter’s law practice and building the foundation of the Frontera Quilt Guild, she made a lasting impact and formed deep friendships. She embraced the Winter Texan community, visiting quilting bees at area parks and later attending guild retreats in the Hill Country—week-long quilting marathons planned a year in advance. Often, a grandchild or two would join her. They always returned home with a finished quilt top—and several bags of new fabric from their shopping adventures.

Jan also had a passion for gardening. Her yard on Martha Street was a source of pride and beauty in every season. In her later years, she was grateful for the help of Jesus Hernandez and Alberto Reyes in maintaining the space she loved so much. Even then, she remained the teacher—spending afternoons and evenings gently guiding children and grandchildren on what to water next, how to care for each plant, and what each one needed to thrive. She taught them the names of everything growing there—from roses and lantana to hydrangeas and succulents—and instilled in them an appreciation for native plants and the beauty they could bring to the Rio Grande Valley. Because of her, her grandchildren carry that knowledge with them.

The family extends special thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Valley Baptist Medical Center Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, especially nurses Keanu, Bonnie, and Norma; care leaders Amy and Jeff; and Dr. Fadi Alfayoumi and Dr. Kamesh Sivagnanam. Additional gratitude is extended to Dr. Peter Lazzopina, Dr. Nabeel Sarhill, and Dr. Usman Sheriff for their ongoing care and support.

A Celebration of Jan’s life will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A reception to follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, and in accordance with Jan’s wishes, donations in her memory may be made to the Frontera Quilt Guild, 1221 East Harrison Avenue, Harlingen, Texas 78550, La Posada Providencia, www.lppshelter.org , or a charity of your choice.

To us, she was everything—our mom, our Nana, our constant. She was the one we called, the one who showed up, the one who made things better simply by being there. She gave her love freely and without condition, not in grand gestures, but in the steady, everyday ways that mattered most.

She built a life centered on caring for others—through her work, her quilting, her friendships, and most of all, her family. She created beauty with her hands, comfort with her presence, and strength in the people around her. Everything she touched—whether a piece of fabric, a garden, or a life—was made better because of her.

We will carry her with us in all that we do, and we will miss her more than words can ever fully express.