Janet Rae Cates, 77, a forty-six-year resident of Clinton, Missouri, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Springfield, Missouri.
A native of Los Angeles, California, Janet was born to the late James Roy and Edna Montana McCombs on September 26, 1946. Her parents were overjoyed with their little 4-pound preemie, then shocked when a 3-pound fraternal twin sister arrived 11 minutes later (Jeanne Lee). Janet was always the happy-go-lucky, smarter, energetic twin, while Jeanne was the shorter, more serious one. Life took a turn for the worse in July 1960 when their beloved father passed unexpectedly of cancer.
Janet was a gifted high school student and later attended Los Angeles Valley College. She enjoyed spending time with friends, dancing and attending concerts. Janet discovered
the joy of travel when she joined a six-week college tour of Europe in the early 1970’s.
Janet’s first job was at Orbach’s, the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. She became the first female test board technician in California, beating out hundreds of men for the position. Her position allowed her the opportunity to buy a home as a single female in the 1970s, very rare for the time.
Janet married Billie Don Cates on November 12,1977 in Glendale, California. The couple welcomed a son, John Ryan, on January 16, 1980. Janet always wanted a child and was so proud of John. It was during this time Janet volunteered for Guide Dogs for
the Blind, where she helped drive the dogs and their master’s to events. She had connected with animals from an early age and was particularly fond of dogs and squirrels. She became known as “the squirrel lady” later in life.
When John was still a toddler, they moved to Bill’s hometown of Clinton, Missouri. She found the small town a challenge, but later discovered a career at Wal-Mart where she was able to engage with customers and co-workers. Janet worked at Wal-Mart for 35 years and was proud of her milestone. She met many lifelong friends in Clinton.
Janet looked forward to her six-week vacation each summer to visit friends and family in California. It was during one of these trips that she was baptized at Valley Park Baptist Church. She always loved the Lord.
In April of 2022, Janet moved to Springfield, Missouri to be near her son John and his family. She enjoyed being able to spend more time with her grandchildren, Jack and Jovi.
Janet Rae Cates will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She is now home with the Lord and forever at peace.
Janet is survived by her twin-sister, Jeanne Ramage; son, John Cates, wife Tessa; step-sons, Travis Cates, wife Donna, and Jaime, wife Cindy Cates; 7 grandchildren, Austin, Christian, Hunter, Jesse, Tacey, Jack & Jovi Cates; nephew, Brian Ramage; cousins, Debra Anderson Ybarra, Dean Linthicum, Chris Anderson, Judi Rodgers and June
Ottman; as well as many other family and friends.
She was preceded by her husband, Bill Cates; parents, James Roy and Edna Montana McCombs, aunt, Laura Marie Linthicum; uncle, Vernon Anderson; grandparents, Hans Peter, and Clara Washburn Anderson; nephew, Brett James Ramage; aunt, Dorothy Ardnt, and aunt, Ethel McCombs.
