Janis Lynne Russell, was born February 21st 1950 to Stanton and Barbara Carter. She had one brother Stanton Carter Jr. Janis was born in Berkeley CA and spent her first ten years in San Diego CA before returning to the Bay Area, where she lived the majority of her life in Concord CA, before settling in Pittsburg. Janis graduated from Clayton Valley High School in Concord and studied journalism at Diablo Valley College. She later married James Russell Sr. and had four children. Janis was very passionate about her religion, Buddhism, an active member of SGI-USA and was an avid fan of art, music and literature.

Janis is survived and remembered by her children James (wife Olivia), Angelina (husband Randy) , Shane (wife Maria) and Nicholas. Along with her grandchildren Jesse, Marco, Marisa, Izabella, Trystan, Brandon and Juan. Along with one great grandchild Sofia. As well as her extended family, Susan Russell, Wina Carter, Sarah Carter, Isabella Flores, Stephen Carter, Debbie Carter-Burg and family, other family not named here and honorary daughter Mary Atkinson and family.