Lura Jane Wheat transitioned to the “other side,” on Friday, August 14th, surrounded by her wife, Cynthia Walton and her family members, after a three-month illness. “Janie,” as she was called, was the daughter of Elmer and Patricia Harris of Liberal, Kansas. She was born September 27th, 1959, and she attended Liberal, Kansas schools.

Celebration of life services will be held in Liberal, Kansa on August 29th, at South Church of God at 635 S. Washington St, at 2 pm, and in Amarillo on September 5th, at the Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 4901 Cornell, at 1:30 pm.

Janie worked for Beech Aircraft as a welder in Liberal before moving to Wichita, Kansas where she worked for Starkey, an organization in Wichita that provided homes and sheltered workshops for intellectually and physically disabled adults, a theme that was present throughout the rest of her work life.

She then worked for Center Industries, a manufacturing plant, as a supervisor. Center Industries primarily hired disabled people, A move to Amarillo found her working at ADVO Company, a local organization that provides group homes and job training for the intellectually and physically disabled. Janie worked primarily with the non-verbal and the wheelchair bound for five years. As a result, she learned sign language and became very proficient.

Janie loved working with the disabled and treasured her time with them. Her clients and co- workers loved her commitment and tenderness with them. She looked forward to going to work each morning and she celebrated each client’s achievements.

Janie enjoyed welding and took nuts, bolts, pieces of pipe and various pieces of metal and created model farm equipment, motorcycles, windmills and airplanes which were sold across the country.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Easter. She is survived by her wife, Cynthia Walton, her sister Patty Volden (Robert) of Liberal, two brothers, Marion Bolton (Kay) of Harrah, OK, and William Harris of Olathe, Kansas, and a great number of loving nieces and nephews, and extended family members and friends. She is also survived by special friend, Delores Williams of Liberal, Kansas, and by stepdaughters, Paula Menendez (Douglas) of Dallas, Lori Lang of Claude, Texas, and Jennifer Dominique (Jude) of Albuquerque and five grandchildren.

Janie will be greatly missed for her humor, her loyalty, and care and kindness for all people.