Janice Maxwell

Janice Ruth Maxwell, affectionately known as “Miss September,” transitioned on May 8, 2025, with wings firmly attached and her sights set on Divine Light, Heavenly Bliss, and God’s love. Embracing “a peaceful easy feeling,” she has ascended to a realm of eternal serenity.

Janice was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on September 29, 1950. Her parents were Father William Benton Tice (WWII Veteran, 82nd Airborne, 5th Ranger Battalion, Normandy plus 6, Battle of the Bulge, Bronze Star Recipient, Presidential Citation) and Mother Helen Lorretta Moore. Janice is survived by her husband, Gary Maxwell; daughter, Carrie Dubbel; grandson, Nathan Dubbel; brother, Kenneth Tice (United States Marine Corps - Vietnam veteran); brother, Scott Tice; sister, Regina Tice Prince; cousin, Patty Ann Baxter; nieces, Tanya Tice and Victoria Tice; nephew, Tommy Tice Jr, nephew, Buddy Boshers (MLB middle reliever for 4 years); nephew, Phillip Tice; nephew, Ben Tice; and nephew, Cole Tice, sister in-law Carolyn Tice. Preceded in death by sister Sherida Gail Mills, sister Debbie Tice, brother Tommy Tice, stepmother Bonnie Poe Tice, Aunt Willy & Uncle Jack, Aunt Freddie & Chester Baxter, Father In-law Willie Maxwell. Janice also has many Great Nieces and Great Nephews on the Tice side. Adoring Fans of Janice on the Maxwell side, Barbara Maxwell, Cathy & Rob, Scott & Allie, Nicole & Keith, Meagan & John, Ashleigh & Jeff, Tyler & Leigh, Jack, Holdon, Gracie & Braydon.

Let it be known; Janice Ruth Tice would not have an easy childhood. When you are brought into this world by a highly decorated combat veteran who will soon become your sole guardian, teacher and protector, chances are you will develop survival skills very quickly. What doesn’t break you, makes you stronger, and will shape your future.

Janice’s sister Gail did not have the skill set of Janice. Coping as a child was harder for Gail and she relied heavily on Janice’s help throughout their childhood. When it was determined that Janice (age 10) and Gail (age 8) would be taking a trip to California to stay with their Mom for a while, their Daddy put the 2 girls on a Grey Hound bus, departing Florida for California with $12.00 in Janice’s pocket. The 55-hour bus ride proved to be a true test of endurance, courage and tenacity, for big sister, Janice. She had to ration the food and money for the long trip. At some point Gail got sick and threw up on her shirt. Janice had to decide whether to buy her another shirt or keep the cash for food. One way they saved money was to slide under the pay toilet doors at bus stops. They survived the trip, only to learn that Mom could be downright cruel to her daughters. The girls spent several nights in Mom’s car while Mom and boyfriend frolicked throughout the night in the house.

Janice demonstrated exceptional learning abilities and exhibited a strong interest in reading and mathematics. School was a safe place and Janice liked learning, but she changed schools about every 10 months. By the time she was a Senior in high school she had passed through 14 schools. There were no long-term childhood friendships for Janice. However, she polished her people & coping skills that would serve her well later in her life.

Robert Cargile, Janice’s first husband, worked at his family-owned Beauty School. That’s where Janice got her start in the Hair Business. She later opened a small Hair Salon in Lufkin, Texas. During her time in Lufkin, her daughter Carrie became involved in Beauty Pageants for young girls. Janice fully supported the Pageant life, including a lot of travel while she kept the Hair Salon going too. Busy time for Janice and Carrie.

Janice made the decision to leave her second husband George in Lufkin and move to Houston, Texas. Doors would begin to open for Janice and Carrie. Janice’s career started to grow at Hallelujah Hair. Glenas, the owner of Hallelujah Hair became one of Janice’s good friends and Mentors in the hair business.

Janice’s daughter Carrie started honing her music skills. She was gifted with perfect pitch and had a knack for learning music theory. She excelled on the guitar and Janice encouraged and supported her with lessons and many instruments. Carrie got accepted into Houston School for Performing and Visual Arts. Janice was so proud of her.

Janice took a one-year sabbatical to help her good friend David Lane with his new salon in the Washington DC Area. Janice was the Hair Colorist for the salon and her skills became even more perfected while there. Next stop for Janice, Urban Retreat Salon & Spa. “She had arrived” and had a blank canvas to paint her masterpiece. Janice became close friends with the salon’s owner, Franci Willis and the partnership blossomed. The salon was one of the nicest in Houston and located in the historic River Oaks area. Janice’s clients were some of Houston’s “A Listers”. She was a master at working several clients simultaneously. She would have the front of salon staff quietly come back and notify Janice that her next client had arrived, she then excused herself from the client in the chair and went up front to greet the newly arrived client. She always said how important it is to greet your clients when they arrive.

Janice was very good with “the scissors”, styling, and was a color expert. She began mentoring the new Hairdressers, sharing her expertise and work ethic. She often passed some of her clients to the newer Hairdressers to help them build their business. Apparently mixing color for hair can be a complex process and can cause extreme anxiety when your client’s hair starts turning green or some other color they did not want. What do you do in this situation? Quickly walk over to Janice’s station and “whisper” in her ear, can you come help me I have a “life and death” situation. Janice would calmly excuse herself from the client in her chair and would calmly walk over to the scene of the crime. If there was still a body in the chair, she would calmly suggest a solution to the problem and comfort the Client and Hairdresser. When the heat was on, she was as cool as a cucumber and always knew exactly what to do.

Janice had many interests outside of her business. She loved collecting vintage clothing, vintage furniture, art, blown glass pieces, vintage rugs, vintage ash trays, vintage lighters, vintage hats and vintage cowboy boots. She had an incredible eye for finding some amazing gems that most folks never saw. Her Vintage Craftsman home on Columbia Street in the Houston Heights neighborhood was her showcase for the best of her collectable pieces. It was amazing and unlike any home in Houston. The front porch on the Craftsman was old tung and grove boards cleaned up and painted lavender. The rest of the home was accented with the colors raspberry, light green and yellow. The centerpiece of the porch was a beautiful Chrishawn Japanese Kimono. The porch became a social spot for neighbors and friends looking for a place to drink wine and socialize. One evening Janice arrived at her house after work to find a note on her door. Its was on E-Street Band Letter Head and contained the following note: “We are traveling with the Bruce Springsteen E-Street band. We travel all over the country and see many sites, but your house is the coolest one we have seen, just wanted to let you know”.

Janice was also an amazing artist. She was a painter, sketch artist, jewelry artist, decorator, vintage clothing-alterations creations and she loved yard art.

Janice quietly used her incredible mind and her Divine connection without ever bringing notice to herself and her gifts. She could crunch numbers in her head like a calculator. She had a stunning memory. She was an avid book reader and could read 2 or more books a week and she did. If someone was to ask Janice for advice for any given reason, she always tried to be helpful using all her earthly experiences and her Diviner connections too. If you were seeking advice and heard Janice, say the word “perhaps”, pay attention to the words and advice that followed, because she usually had relevant suggestions for your soul and your situation.

Janice was a gift to us all. We are all better just by being around her. Though her physical body eventually gave out, her precious inner core was intact. The last year of her life I found myself frequently telling her, “You are precious Janice”. Because it was true…

Flash back: In the spring of 2002, Janice was at a local Houston Music Venue called Dan Electros Guitar Bar to see Carolyn Wonderland & Shelly King perform. Before the show had started Gary and friend walked into the venue to find very few seats left and it looked like they would have to split up to get seats. That’s when Janice said, “you can share my table because my friend just let me know she cannot make it tonight”. Wow, that was a moment in time that changed everything for Janice & Gary. The show was good, and Gary was buying the wine as a thank you to Janice’s generosity. That was the start of the mutual admiration society that would define Janice & Gary’s relationship for the next 23. Hold on, the night was not over. It was at one of the breaks in the show that Gary noticed this very interesting Lady’s sense of fashion was “downright bold” and kind of “bad ass”. Janice was wearing jeans, biker boots, a chain belt and a Black and Orange Bangkok Harley Davidson Tee Shirt. The Front of the shirt pictured a topless Asian Girl straddling a Harley Davidson. Gary was trying to remain calm and kindly said, “I like your shirt”. Janice was in total control of the situation for the rest of the evening. Janice said, “if you like the front, you will love the back”. She stood up and turned around. The image on the back was the same Asian girl sitting backwards, straddling the seat totally naked. After Gary got up off the floor……… a deal was made. They would trade shirts. Janice liked Gary’s Continental Club Shirt (it was not that great of a shirt compared to the Bangkok Harley shirt) and Gary loved Janices Shirt (of course). Now, how will said trade take place? It was agreed it should be done in the hallway by the restrooms. Ok, both parties are in the agreed location of the trade. Who would go first? Out of respect of the other, both parties said, “you go first”. Laughter ensued! The trade was made. Little did we know then what immense joy would come to us as a couple from this magical night at Dan Electros Guitar bar.

Music was a big part of our life together. We traveled far and wide to see and hear music and where there is music, let there be a dance floor. Dancing with Janice was like loving Janice, it was the easiest thing to do. She was the best dance partner ever. There was no thinking about the moves, we just felt it.

Here is a question from a card we found long ago. We loved it so much we framed it.

“Shall we dance?” he inquired, removing is hat.

He was tall, thin and hollowly attractive. I said yes, and from that moment on centered my attention on Samuel’s feet.

The dance never ended… we made it all the way to Beijing.

Long may we dance, Janice…

Celebration of Life for Janice - Sunday July 13th at Mystic Moon Farm.

All are welcome. Celebration Service is at 11:00AM – Food & Drinks will follow. Please bring your memories and stories. Mystic Moon Farm 23314 Kickapoo Rd Waller, Texas 77484