On 6 April 1939, Janie married Lawrence Greeley Straight at St. John's Episcopal Church-Zion Parish in Beltsville, Maryland. They later moved to Bradenton Florida. She was a young housewife and mother when she lost her eyesight in 1952. At that time, she never though that she would ever hold a job.
The Straights divorced in 1966. When their son was a high school senior, Janie decided to try to get a job. The Florida Bureau of Blind Services (later the Division of Blind Services), trained her at two of its newspaper stands before placing her at the local courthouse. In all the years that she worked at the stand, the counter only failed to open one time. Janie's good friend, Marilyn visited the lunch stand to help out in order for her to take her guide dog outside for exercise and play. Marilyn also helped with her books and to take inventory. Janie and Marilyn became good friends and travel companions.
When Janie's first grandchild was born in 1968, she visited Germany, where her son was stationed at that time. She had later visits to various countries in Europe with her only sister, Louise. There were various other travel excursions with other friends and family members.
Children enjoyed her visits to local public schools with her guide dog to demonstrate his "job" routine for them. Wherever she visited, people loved her.
Janie was an inspiration, not only because she refused to be "handicapped" by her lack of eyesight, but she also continued her positive outlook through 2 divorces and a battle with cancer that she won.
On 6 April 1939, Janie married Lawrence Greeley Straight at St. John's Episcopal Church-Zion Parish in Beltsville, Maryland. They later moved to Bradenton Florida. She was a young housewife and mother when she lost her eyesight in 1952. At that time, she never though that she would ever hold a job.
The Straights divorced in 1966. When their son was a high school senior, Janie decided to try to get a job. The Florida Bureau of Blind Services (later the Division of Blind Services), trained her at two of its newspaper stands before placing her at the local courthouse. In all the years that she worked at the stand, the counter only failed to open one time. Janie's good friend, Marilyn visited the lunch stand to help out in order for her to take her guide dog outside for exercise and play. Marilyn also helped with her books and to take inventory. Janie and Marilyn became good friends and travel companions.
When Janie's first grandchild was born in 1968, she visited Germany, where her son was stationed at that time. She had later visits to various countries in Europe with her only sister, Louise. There were various other travel excursions with other friends and family members.
Children enjoyed her visits to local public schools with her guide dog to demonstrate his "job" routine for them. Wherever she visited, people loved her.
Janie was an inspiration, not only because she refused to be "handicapped" by her lack of eyesight, but she also continued her positive outlook through 2 divorces and a battle with cancer that she won.
Inscription
She was one special lady
Family Members
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Joseph Alonzo DeMarr Jr
1907–1907
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Col James Donald "Don" DeMarr
1908–1991
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Elizabeth Louise DeMarr Tatspaugh
1910–2018
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William Allen "Billy" DeMarr
1913–1916
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Pvt. Paul Howard DeMarr
1915–2001
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Charles Kenneth DeMarr
1917–1935
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LTC Creighton Oliver DeMarr
1921–2005
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Robert Magruder "Bob" DeMarr
1923–2017
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Frederick Stanley "Fred" DeMarr
1928–1997
