Janie Pitts (Castillo), born March 31, 1930, in Bryan, Texas, to Eusebio and Anita Castillo, passed away peacefully in her home on September 4, 2025, at the age of 95.

The daughter of immigrant parents, Janie's early years were shaped by hard work, faith, and responsibility. Her family migrated around the states for work, and when her mother became ill with uterine cancer, Janie left school to help care for her father and brothers. Even as a young girl, she shouldered the duties of cooking, washing, and working in the fields—strengths that would carry her throughout her life.

In 1967, Janie settled in Fennville, where she raised her children and became a cornerstone of her community. She worked at Fruit Canners, Rich's Pie, and Henry's Nursery before retiring from the Glenn Early Childhood Migrant Program as a cook. Alongside her jobs, she often used her talents to prepare meals for weddings and Quinceañeras, blessing countless families with her gift for cooking.

Her faith was always at the center of her life. She supported her brother, John A. Castillo, in starting a church by making and selling plate lunches and tamales and later held prayer meetings in her own home. From those gatherings, two additional churches were founded. Janie loved doing God's work and lived out her faith daily in both service and fellowship.

One of ten children, Janie, grew up in a family filled with love. She was preceded in death by her husband Clyde Pitts, her siblings John A. Castillo, Paula Garcia, Jessie Castillo, Albert Castillo, Petra Ayala, Paul Castillo, Moses Castillo, and Otilia Rodriguez. She is survived by her brother, Eusebio Castillo Jr.

Janie was a devoted mother of seven: Amelia and Raymond Rodriguez (Saenz), Noemi Saenz, John Pitts and Linda Meister, Dorothy Pitts, Rebecca and Darryl Mosley, Marileen Pitts, and her late daughter, Ella Mae Pitts-Eurich. Her love extended through the generations as she became the proud grandmother of 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

Her deep love for the Lord shaped every aspect of her life. Strong in faith and devoted to Christian women's fellowship, Janie mentored many in their walk with Christ and was a source of encouragement, wisdom, and love to all who knew her.

She also expressed her love through her many talents—cooking meals that brought comfort and joy, and creating crocheted and sewn keepsakes that will be treasured for years to come.

Janie's life was a testament to grace, resilience, and devotion. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy of faith, love, and inspiration will live on in her family and in all whose lives she touched.