Mary Janis Bailey Setzler

"Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I'm blessed indeed – the world is mine".

Jan Setzler was born in Childress, Texas to Avis Gentry Bailey and Belves Frederick Bailey on December 16, 1935, and given the name Mary Janis. She was an only child. Jan died Tuesday, May 2, 2025. She was a resident of The House of Hope in Wichita Falls.

After graduating Childress High School, she attended SMU and was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Jan attended Texas University, Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and graduated from Texas A & I University in Kingsville, Texas.

She married Bill Setzler on August 31, 1957, in Childress, Texas. The newlyweds honeymooned their first night in Wichita Falls enroute to New Orleans and a weekend in the French Quarter at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Jan and Bill lived in several different towns and states while Bill moved his way up the ladder at Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company. Their two children – Nann Harvey and Ross Setzler – were born in Corpus Christi, where Bill worked as a field engineer for Halliburton.

In 1967, Jan and Bill moved to Laurel, Mississippi. The couple made many friends in Laurel and lived there for five years.

In 1972, they arrived in Wichita Falls and made the community their home for 53 years. Jan was a member of Floral Heights United Methodist Church until it closed.

She was active in many organizations and was an avid volunteer. She served on several boards including the Children's Aid Society, Wichita Falls Symphony and Kemp Center for the Arts.

Jan was an active and faithful member of Cotillion, Colony and Clavier Clubs, Petroleum Wives, Kell House, Wichita Falls Art Museum and the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel, Mississippi.

Jan was predeceased by her 22-year-old grandson, William Ross Setzler, IV. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, her son, Ross, and his wife, Nesa, her daughter, Nann, and her husband, Dale, seven grandchildren – Abigail, Mary Claire, Bailey, Giles, Ross, Dillard and Grant – and five great grandchildren.

Jan's service – under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home - will be held at 2pm, May 6 at First United Methodist Church, 909 10th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas. Honorary pallbearers will be her four grandsons and John Daugherty, Billy Hudson, Craig Reynolds, Richard Rogers and John Thornton.

Memorials may be sent to The Good Samaritan Fund care of Presbyterian Manor, 4600 Taft Boulevard, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308.