Jan Abrams passed away on June 19, 2021 at home with some of her family.
As the last member of her childhood family and the daughter of Helen Mae Erskins and William Lawson Walker, Helen Janet Walker Abrams, was a member of the DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution. She was the eldest of six children and helped raise four of her siblings from the time she was five.
She left her hometown of Sikes, Louisiana after graduating from high school in 1953. She earned a BS in Business Education at Louisiana Tech graduating three years later in 1956. In 1955 at age 20, while studying for her degree, she lamented, “Now everyone will hate my birthday!” when tax day was changed from March 15th to her birthday of April 15th.
Jan married Austin LeFay Abrams on November 17, 1956. Between 1956 and 1972 she raised their four children Rhonda Elaine (Leeper, 1958), Vance Kraig (1959), Steven Derek (1960), Kyle Denise (1962), moved back and forth from Louisiana to Alaska three times in a VW van, held multiple office and teaching positions, and earned her MS in Business Education in 1972 (LA Tech). “I’m a survivor,” she would say.
After raising her kids past high school, Jan moved to Salem, Oregon in 1985 and became involved with the local transit authority by joining seven transit groups and even running for District #1 Transit Director. Her final years were spent with friends and family as she continued to attend graduations, send birthday cards, and crocheted afghans for grandchildren. Jan loved to read, watch NFL football, and Nascar races.
Jan is survived by her four children, their father, seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She will be laid to rest in Sikes, Louisiana next to her mother and still born baby sister, one last child for her to raise.
“I am a child of God, an American, a daughter, a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister, a teacher, an accountant, a person who enjoys being busy, and who enjoys learning as much as possible about the world around her.”
Jan enjoyed helping others. Donations may be made to your favorite charity in her honor.
A memorial service will be held on July 27, 2021 at 11am at The Church of Latter-day Saints, 4550 Lone Oak Rd SE, Salem, OR 97302.