Sarah Jeanette Polly Steele, better known as “Janet”, age 79, of Midland, Texas was born to Hugh Alexander Polly and Lois S. Bowerman Polly on December 30, 1934 in Wink, Texas. She was residing in Frisco, Texas when she was welcomed to her heavenly home on January 16, 2014.Janet lived a rich and full life as a young girl in Kermit, enjoying skating and volleyball. She met and married her lifelong love, Orval Steele, on May 29, 1952 when she was just 17 years old. Janet fiercely defended her beliefs, including her political persuasion and was happy to debate anyone willing to engage in the topic with her. She loved being with her family, and she and Orval would regularly meet up with them for camping, cherry picking, and lazy days at her parents’ Ruidoso cabin.After becoming a grandmother, Janet was the go-to person for trips to the Monahans Sandhills, loving to be with the youngsters so much that she didn’t mind being the only adult willing to indulge in those sandy outings. She would often dare her grandchildren to try to touch the tip of their nose with their tongue like she only could. Janet and Orval spent much of their later life helping raise their grandchildren. They lovingly devoted much of their time and energy to being positive influences, making sure all were taken care of at any sacrifice.In her twilight years, Janet suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and the memories that remained were of her young years. Her youthful joy surfaced during these last years and Janet loved to giggle and laugh and share stories about her favorite childhood adventures. Although the adult Janet was gone and she didn’t recognize her visitors, the young, spirited Janet still remained and showed up in each story she chose to share.Janet is survived by sons, Wayne Steele and wife Kathy of Tucson, Arizona and Don Allen Steele and wife Carol of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Jason Brown and wife Rebekah of Little Elm, Texas, Ambra Collier and husband Joshua of Fort Worth, Texas, Ryan Steele and wife Janaye of Tucson, Arizona, Billy D. Dodson of Odessa, Texas, Derek Steele and wife Katie of Warrenton, Oregon; Ryan Tudyk and wife Christina of Ganado, Texas, Sabrina Cisneros and husband Blake of Houston, Texas, Sarah Steele of Houston, Texas and Zachary Steele of Denton, Texas; and great grandchildren, Kimberly Hedstrom, Kameron Brown, Jamelyn Riley, Andrew Riley, Addisyn Brown, Audriana Cisneros, Madden Cisneros, Ayden Tudyk, Addison Tudyk, Caleb Steele, Kynslie Steele, Kolsen Steele, Audrey Steele, Kaybriella Steele, Jocelyn Steele, and Korelise Steele. Janet is also survived by brothers, Hugh Allen Polly and wife Marie of Mustang, Oklahoma and Tommy Polly and wife Sharon of Artesia, New Mexico, and her sister, Judy Jarvis and husband Joe of Ruidoso, NM, and the extended families of her siblings. Janet was preceded in death by her husband Orval R. Steele, daughter Laura Steele, her parents Hugh and Lois Polly, her brother Charles Polly, and her sisters Jackie Permenter, Jerry Thomas, and Paula Polly.A graveside service will be held at Serenity Memorial Gardens on January 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association are appreciated.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
