Janie Belle Kroll Marney

The family of Janie Belle Kroll Marney invite you to join them for a visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a celebration of her life at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018 at the Pennington Funeral Home, 323 Comanche St., San Marcos, Texas. Rev. Kimberley Burke of the North Shore Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at San Marcos City Cemetery on Ranch Road 12.

Born on a snowy Feb. 7, 1923, Janie Belle, was the only child of Alfred O. and Alma Knebel Kroll. She passed away on Dec. 1, 2018.

She attended San Marcos public schools, beginning her education at the Old West End Elementary School and graduating from San Marcos High School in 1939. She was also a member of the first Municipal Band System in San Marcos, a group which was later folded into the high school, becoming the SMHS Band. Through the years, Janie Belle’s love of music developed. She gave private lessons in piano and wind instruments during her high school and college summers. When the high school’s band director was drafted to serve in World War II, Janie Belle, then a senior music major in college, was called upon to forgo her “practice” teaching and take over as the sole instrumental music instructor for the public school system, teaching third grade through high school while she finished up her college graduation requirements and met other commitments. Janie Belle credits the support of her future husband, Houston Marney, Jr., with helping her through that busy year.

Having met and accepted the Lord as her personal savior as a young child, Janie Belle joined the First Methodist Church of San Marcos at the age of 12. As her love of the Holy Trinity grew, she took part in many church and Sunday school activities. She served not only as a pianist for Sunday school classes, but also, for a brief time, as an organist for evening congregational worship services. This service through music was one she continued for many years. Later, she served as pianist for several area churches, including Chapel in the Hills in Wimberley. Music was not the only service she performed for the church; Janie Belle found great pleasure in needlepointing the “Circuit Rider” kneeler cushion, which, along with other cushions depicting the history of the First United Methodist Church in San Marcos, rests at the church’s chancel rail.

From 1939 to 1943, Janie Belle attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College. A member of the Philosophian Literary Society, Alpha Chi honorary society, and the college band and orchestra, she also received two outstanding campus honors. In her sophomore year, she was one of six women chosen to serve as All Campus Favorites, known as Gallardians. She was included in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Other highlights of college years included two recitals performing two-piano concertos with her piano professor, Mrs. Laura Parke. Janie Belle also had the opportunity to attend a six-week master class with nationally-known pianist, teacher and arranger Silvio Scionti. The master class culminated in a recital that included 16 pianos on stage simultaneously.

After college graduation, she married her college sweetheart, Houston Marney, Jr. They welcomed two children, Pamela and Marc Stephen. She was a full-time homemaker until 1964 when she joined her husband and father in their family business, the Kroll-Marney Pharmacy. She worked in the pharmacy until 1980, when the store was sold. In 1986, Janie Belle began work at Balcones Bank as a savings counselor, a job she loved dearly, and worked there until her retirement in 1997. After her retirement, Janie Belle enjoyed volunteer work at her church.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Janie Belle enthusiastically supported her children’s school and extra-curricular activities. Whether it was tutoring band or orchestra sections to prepare for UIL contests, accompanying solo performers, or ferrying carloads of raucous teenagers to and from out-of-town events, she was always ready to lend a hand and her skills. Even after her children had graduated, she continued volunteering her time and energy. In 1968, she was honored for her volunteer support of the school music program and the city library.

Janie Belle was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Alma Kroll, her devoted husband of 66 years, Houston Marney, Jr., and her son, Marc Stephen Marney. She is survived by daughter Pamela M. Noland and husband Richard, of Austin; and daughter-in-law Fran McLaughlin Marney, of San Antonio. Also surviving are grandchildren Kristen Noland Rygg, of Edgewater, MD; Lauren Noland, of Austin; Carin Noland Tahouri and husband Bobby, of Sherman Oaks, CA; Jonathan A. Noland, of San Marcos; Matthew S. Marney and wife Layci, of San Antonio; Fara Marney Smith and husband Martin, of San Antonio; Ryan I. Marney, of Kenedy, TX; and great-grandchildren Cody Rygg, of Edgewater, MD, Aaron Smith, of San Antonio, and Isobel Tahouri and Gillian Tahouri, of Sherman Oaks, CA. She is also survived by granddaughter-in-law Kathleen McLaughlin Velasquez and husband Pete and children Priscilla Hinojosa and Anthony and Adrian Velasquez, all of San Antonio; and an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and many cherished friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of San Marcos, 129 West Hutchison St., San Marcos, TX, 78666, or to the charity of choice.

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512-353-4311.