Jennie Mae (Jan) Boyer passed away Monday, December 22, 2025. A Life Celebration will be held in the Neil Chapel on the Carillon Campus on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

Born on April 8, 1927, in Bedford, Texas to Simon Smith Boyer and Jessie Watts Boyer, Jan grew up surrounded by a large, lively extended family. She and her sister, Jessie Lou, were nurtured by a circle of aunts, uncles, and cousins who helped set the foundation for a lifetime of creativity, curiosity, and love. As a young girl, her mother introduced her to the worlds of art and travel – two inspirations that shaped her outlook for decades to come. Her dad instilled in her a love of the land, nature, and growing livestock. Jan’s childhood and teen years were also marked by active participation in the 4-H Program. Her talents caught the attention of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and on numerous occasions, with her work featured in the newspaper. After graduating from Riverside High School in 1943, she was accepted to Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University), where she lived in Doak Hall.

While attending Texas Tech, Jan met the love of her life, L.G. (Gayle) Montgomery, on a blind date arranged by his cousin. The connection was immediate. Jan graduated in May of 1947 with a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising, and she and Gayle married shortly afterward on July 2, 1947.

The couple began their married life in Bedford, where they became charter members of Bedford Methodist Church. It was also in Bedford that they welcomed their first three children. In 1956, they moved to a farm west of Abernathy, where they would spend the next 55 years. Their fourth child arrived in 1957. A gifted homemaker, Jan infused her home with creativity and care on a very small budget. She designed and sewed clothing, costumes, and doll outfits for her children and herself. Each summer, she planted a large vegetable garden and used three pressure canners and two freezers to preserve enough food.

In 1960, Jan entered the workforce and was hired to teach the children of Bracero migrant workers. She had 60 Spanish – speaking students – despite not speaking Spanish herself. Jan later reminisced about the challenges of that year and regretted what her students had missed; however, the long-lasting friendships formed with those families speak to the compassion and dedication she brought to her work. In the midst of raising four children and helping operate a farm, Jan began graduate studies to earn her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She became certified in Special Education and Vocational Homemaking for the Handicapped.

Some of her most meaningful moments as an educator came while training students for employment in nursing homes (pre CNA), clothing manufacturing at Levi Strauss, and restaurant service/management. Many of those students. once considered limited by their classifications, went on to earn college degree – supported in part by the very job skills she taught them. Her career spanned 31 years with Abernathy ISD.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. A humble and steadfast Christian, she taught Sunday School and assisted with Vacation Bible School at Abernathy United Methodist Church. In 1970, Jan and Gayle opened their hearts and home even wider by becoming foster parents through the Methodist Home in Waco. They welcomed two brothers to complete their family and are thankful to continue to call them their sons.

Throughout the years, L.G. and Jan received multiple recognitions, including being named Abernathy’s Farm Family of the Year, the 4-H Silver Spur Award and the FFA Chapter Farmer Award.

After Gayle’s death in 2012, Jan moved to Carillon, where she embraced a new community and formed cherished friendships. She enthusiastically participated in activities and could be found most of the time in the Fireside Lounge watching Texas Tech Athletics or gathering friends for a game of Skip Bo. She faithfully attended services at Neil Chapel. In 2024, she transitioned to Carillon House.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, L.G.; her sister, Lou Jennings; her in-laws, Edith and S.L Montgomery, her second son, Burt; three brothers-in-law; and three sisters-in-law, two nephews and one niece. She is survived by children: Richard (Sheree) of Abernathy; daughter-in-law, Shelley of Lubbock; Susie (Mike) Breitling of Dalhart; Martha (Max) Huber of Anton; Doug (Kim) Albrecht of Lubbock; and Doyle (Tammy) Albrecht of Dumas. She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. The family requests memorials be made to Neil Chapel, c/o Carillon Foundation, 4002 16th St. Lubbock, TX 79416.

Posted online on December 30, 2025

Published in Lubbock Avalanche-Journal