Jane Meyer

Jane Meyer, of Waco, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 21, 2021, at the age of 81, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, with her family by her side. A celebration of life service will be held on September 4 at 10:00 am at First Woodway Baptist Church. There will be a brief reception immediately following the service to allow time to visit with the family. Jane was born to the late Edna and Elmer Gurley on July 26, 1940, in Killeen. She graduated from Temple High School in 1958. Jane moved to Waco shortly after graduation to attend The 4C Business School. After graduation she began working for Success Motivation Institute where she met the late Paul J. Meyer. Jane spoke of her job with SMI and meeting Paul fondly, "After I finished business school, a dynamic young man moving from Florida offered me a job with his first company, SMI. That was the turning point in my life. I worked for Paul for 11 years before we were married on November 26, 1971.” Jane was the co-founder of the Paul & Jane Meyer Family Foundation established in 1984 to "provide resources to carry out the work of the Great Commission by investing in Christian mission ministries, charities, and needy individuals that they might, in turn, impact our world for Jesus Christ." She and Paul loved being a part of helping many charities in town such as Compassion Ministries, Friends for Life, Mission Waco, and the Waco Boys and Girls Club. Jane was also involved with Baylor University in various ways for many years and has received major awards including Alumni Honoris Causa in 1992 and the Founders Medal in 2016. Jane also enjoyed being involved with the University of Mary Hardin Baylor where she had the honor of being the inaugural recipient of the President’s Leadership Circle Award. Jane was a very classy and elegant lady. She was quiet with a sharp sense of humor and a joyous laugh. She cherished the time she spent with all of her children and grandchildren hosting large family gatherings. Jane was a fabulous cook and gracious hostess who loved to entertain. She enjoyed putting on large parties for all of their business associates and friends from around the world. Jane greatly enjoyed traveling around the world with Paul for business, ministry, and fun. The two of them loved spending time at their farm, on the beach, and hiking and skiing in the mountains. Jane loved her church family and was a member of the First Woodway Baptist Church. Jane was preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul J. Meyer; her parents, Edna and Elmer Gurley; her brother, Elmer Benjamin Gurley Jr.; and her sister, Imogene Gurley. Jane is survived by her five children and their spouses including the Honorable Jim Meyer of Waco, Larry Meyer and Lynn, of Austin, Billy Meyer and Deborah, of Austin, Janna Slechta and Randy, of Waco, and Leslie Rhea and Kevin, of Waco; and her sister Edna Earle Wetzel of Pantego. Jane also was blessed with thirteen grandchildren: Mike Meyer and Nadine, of Dallas, Brady Meyer and Emily of Dallas, Jessica Votow and Chris, of Austin, Jennifer Meyer, of Austin, Josh Meyer and Morgan, of Austin, Adam Meyer and Claire, of Waco, Christie Johnson and Barry, of Austin, Morgan Schutter and Nick, of Cedar Park, Brooke Erbe and Jonah, of Waco, Kelsey Slechta of Dallas, Jordan, Jaden, and Ryan Rhea, of Waco; she was blessed with twelve great-grandchildren: Emme, Park, and Boyd Meyer, of Dallas, Parker, Hannah and Makenzie Votaw, of Austin, Elizabeth, Catherine, Virginia, and Madeline Meyer, of Waco, and Charlee and Sam Johnson, of Austin. She is also survived by her niece, Michelle Mitchell, of Flower Mound; and nephew and spouse Mark and Michelle Wetzel, of Arlington. We would like to express our deep appreciation to the caregivers that have loved on mom like family for many years—Pam French, Evelyn Patton, Gema Cambambia, Donna Hoelscher, Mariana Marton, Lucy Lupu, Simona, Tina Martinez, Right at Home, and Bluebonnet Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to any of the charities listed above or to a charity of your choice.