RADER, Janis

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Friday, July 11, 2014 Janis Rader was born to Juanita and Foet Assaf in McComb, Miss. Janis was a bright child who would excel at virtually everything she did. After two years at LSU, she decided to go to New York. She went alone, knew no one there, and did not have a job, but she believed that she'd find something to interest her. Trifari and Sons, designers and manufacturers of exceptionally fine custom jewelry, hired her in the office pool and promptly promoted her to Assistant to the President. They then asked her to model their ever-changing line of fine rings, bracelets and broaches to jewelry buyers in New York from all over the world. In 1964, she joined a new fledging company, Audience Studios Inc., as Executive Assistant to the President, helping him set up audience testing of new feature films, television programs and television commercials. Eventually, the company relocated to Los Angeles, and she was asked to make the move west. It was in this move that she met Dick Rader, who had recently joined the firm. Not too long after they met, the company asked Dick to manage its Chicago office. Janis, of course, wanted to be with him, and so both she and Dick resigned from ASI and were married. In Chicago, Janis had a fun time trying many new adventures suited to her intellect and personality. She worked for some time for a Chicago Convention Planning Firm, which offered her the opportunity to travel to cities outside of the U.S. In Chicago, she opened Needlepoint Shop, where she sold needlepoint supplies and original canvases. She and Dick then relocated to San Francisco when he was asked to manage a large advertising account. Here again was another opportunity for Janis to undertake more new ventures. While there, she became an active member of Mensa. She also went to college to study real estate laws. And, not surprisingly, she passed the state exam and went to work for a leading firm. After a few years, she decided the monetary aspect of real estate sales was more interesting, and she joined a firm that worked with more than 400 lenders to help real estate buyers find the right mortgage to fit their economic needs. Yet another move brought her and Dick back to Mississippi, the state of her birth. During these several years, she pretty much retired from business endeavors. However, she did start obedience training of her standard poodles. She traveled extensively throughout the state going to obedience trials with her dogs. But her mind was not fully satisfied, so she took up contract bridge, playing in tournaments in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Eventually, another move would begin to wind down the final few episodes of Janis' life. They retired to Phoenix, Ariz. Among several part-time jobs, she kept busy training her standard poodles. After several years of the stifling Phoenix summers, they relocated 90 miles north of Phoenix in the small mountain community of Prescott Valley, Ariz. Now her years of dog training could really be put to good use. One of her poodles became a licensed therapy dog, and Janis took him to the regional hospital every week as the staff and patients loved to interact with him. She also volunteered with him at the Prescott Valley Library with a program in which young children would come and read to the poodle. One final move would bring Janis back to Mississippi. Recognizing their mortality caused them to move to Madison, Miss. Here she would be close to two cousins, where they could share the many stories of growing up in Mississippi. Janis was born on Nov. 22, 1927, and went to God on June 27, 2014. She was truly a wonderful and remarkable woman in the early 20th century. She and her husband, Dick, were married 45 years. She also leaves behind a sister, Prudence DiVincenzo; a niece, Robbi Peele of the San Francisco Bay area; six first cousins, Mrs. Debbie Hartzog and Mrs. Deenie Grubbs, both daughters of Woodie Assaf in Madison, Miss., Mr. Tommy Assaf and Mrs. Jennifer Abdalla of McComb, Miss., and Mrs. Linda Tuggle and Mr. Wayne Farris of Vicksburg, Miss. There will be no formal service. Interment will be at a later date in St. Columbs' Episcopal Church Columbarium. In lieu of any memorials, Janis would ask you to make a donation to your favorite no-kill animal shelter. Information provided by survivors.