Janice Virginia Parker Haag went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 6, 2026, at her home in Harper, Texas. She was 86 years old.
Janice was born November 13, 1939, to the late Virgil Doyle Parker and Virginia Brown Parker. She grew up along the Little Devils River on the heritage Parker Ranch in Kimble County with her two sisters, Doylene and Joyce, and her brother, Virgil Doyle Jr., affectionately known as “Little Doyle.” They were raised in the Knoxville Community west of Harper, and Janice attended Harper Schools.
Some of her fondest childhood memories were made along the river at the ranch of her grandparents, “Big Daddy” Jess Parker and “Big Mama” Lorena Milam Parker, where family gathered often. Those early years shaped a lifelong love of family, home, and the Texas Hill Country.
Janice’s roots ran deep in Texas history. Her paternal grandmother, Matilda Jane Crockett Parker, was the great-niece of David Crockett, the famed frontiersman, soldier, and congressman who died at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. Her family history also includes her cousin Benjamin Milam, an early Texas military hero who died during the Siege of Béxar in 1835.
Family was at the center of Janice’s life, and nowhere was that more evident than in her home on Third Street. Holidays there became treasured memories for her children and grandchildren. Her door was always open to family, friends, and anyone who wanted to join them. There was always a beautiful meal she had prepared, a table thoughtfully set, and room for one more. She had a gift for bringing people together and making them feel at home, and generations of her family will carry those memories with them.
Janice was a gifted cook, seamstress, and quilter, and she shared those talents generously. Over the years, she made countless meals, quilts, and hand-sewn pieces for the people she loved. Throughout Harper and far beyond, there are likely many homes that still hold something Janice made, mended, or put a stitch in. Those pieces are lasting reminders of both her remarkable skill and the care she so freely gave to others.
Janice was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved her family deeply and took great joy in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was also a devoted mother to her beloved daughter, Debbie Richardson. During the months before Debbie’s passing in 2025, Janice remained faithfully by her bedside each day, caring for and comforting her daughter through the end of her life.
The love Janice gave to others throughout her life was reflected in the many friends and family members who surrounded her during her illness, visiting her each and every day. She cherished her Bible Study Group and the dear friends she gathered with weekly to play games, laugh, visit, and enjoy one another’s company.
Janice was a familiar and beloved face throughout the Harper community. She could often be found visiting with friends at her favorite local spots, Los Tres Potrillos and the Longhorn Cafe, which held a special place in her heart because her mother owned and operated it for many years. She loved people, conversation, and being part of the community she called home.
She also spent many years serving her community through her work with the 216th Judicial District Probation Department, retiring after a long career as an Administrative Assistant serving Kerr County.
Janice shared 47 years of marriage with the love of her life, Albert Gus Haag. Their marriage and the life they built together were among her greatest blessings, and her love for Albert remained with her long after his passing in 2010. Her family takes great comfort in knowing that, after 16 years apart, Janice and Albert are together again. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her beloved daughter, Debbie Richardson, in 2025.
Janice is survived by her sons, Virgil Bierschwale of Junction, Texas, and Michael Haag (Tammye) of Harper, Texas; six grandchildren, Janna Graham (Mike) of Farmersville, Texas, Valerie Walker of Allen, Texas, Daniel Bierschwale (Stephanie), Doug Bierschwale (Olivia) of Maine, Mackenzie Haag of Atlanta, Georgia, and Blaze Haag (Ashley) of Harper, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Shane Walker (Grace) of Princeton, Texas, Tyler Graham of Farmersville, Texas, and Briar Bierschwale of Maine; and one great-great-grandson, Augustus Walker of Princeton, Texas.
She is also survived by her siblings, Doylene Bode (Doug) of Harper, Texas, Joyce Marshall (Ron) of Austin, Texas, and Virgil Doyle Parker Jr. (Katy) of New Braunfels, Texas; many beloved nieces and nephews; and dear friends Linda Lindner, Glenda Wheeler, Kina Senior, and Jeness Rogers. Her family is also grateful for the kindness and compassionate care provided by Methodist Hospice Hill Country.
Janice lived a life rooted in faith, family, friendship, and community. She will be remembered for the warmth of her home, the traditions she created, the friendships she treasured, and above all, the love she gave her family. Her life touched generations of her family and countless friends and neighbors, and her absence will be deeply felt throughout the Harper community she loved so dearly.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville, Texas.
Services will be held at Wild Ride Church in Harper on Saturday, September 12, at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Mike Weaver officiating. Burial will follow at Harper Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robert Black, Skeet Wilbanks, Jody Lange, Clyde Bernhard, Cameron Grona, and Bill Symm.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ron Marshall, Doug Bode, Garland Black, and Pat Lange.