Janis Kay Harless

Janis Kay Harless of Daingerfield, Texas went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 22, 2025. Born to Edward “Bunt” and Peggy Archer of Dennard, Arkansas, she spent her youth finding fulfillment in the simple, rustic lifestyle found in a rural Ozark Mountain town. She learned to bake and work the land from her grandmother, Granny Rachel, and the art of the harvest from her father. Despite a passion for academics, circumstances forced her from school at the end of her sophomore year to enter the workforce, though she would later go on to receive her diploma.

As life carried on, she found comfort and rescue in her friend Terry Harless, and the two were wed October 17, 1992 in Rockwall, TX. Now with four children to feed, Janis threw herself into the roles of mother, wife, and provider with an uncommon passion. From working in a seatbelt factory, to being a lunch lady, to teaching computer science classes, and even obtaining a master cake decorator’s certificate and working in bakeries, she jumped at every opportunity she could, often holding multiple jobs at once. That all changed in the summer of 1998 when she began accepting positions at the Open Door Baptist Church in Princeton, TX, where she realized the importance of faith and discovered her purpose in serving the Lord. Be it as song leader, secretary, or treasurer, if the door was unlocked, she was there. Her husband Terry would go on to become the Associate Pastor, and together they would establish Plus One Ministries, an outreach ministry service, in 2001.

Despite her many contributions to a multitude of congregations, she became best known for the impact of her singing. Her songs became a staple of the ministry, with many churches reaching out for her to sing. She could often be found singing the hymn of invitation, teary eyed, staring towards Heaven, and it was during these times that countless souls would find their way to the Lord.

In 2006, she and her husband would relocate to Daingerfield, and in December of 2008, the two would adopt a child. Choosing this time to homeschool, Janis put her all into raising and educating their new child in the ways of the Lord. The following years would see her blessed with many grandchildren who would gift her with the name of “Nene”, which she would cherish for the rest of her life.

Tragedy would strike in the sudden passing of her husband in April of 2021, however Janis found comfort in her faith and family and continued forward. It was that same faith and family that would come to comfort her again as she began her journey with cancer, a journey that would ultimately see her home to the Lord.

Janis was a woman of uncommon faith, fervent loyalty, and unquestionable love. Though gifted with great talents, greater still was the kindness and compassion she grew within herself. And though she has now gone on from the suffering of this world to claim her reward, to those fortunate enough to have been loved by her she will stay here in our hearts forever.

Janis is survived by her son Joshua Treat, his wife Dani, and their four children of Oxley, AR; her son Mike Treat of Leslie, AR; her son Cyrus Harless of Daingerfield, TX; and stepsons Nick and Josh Harless of parts unknown.