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Jan grew up in Pond Creek, where she graduated with many lifelong friends in the class of 1968. She pursued her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from NWOSU, where she met and married Glenn, the love of her life. They were married for fifty-four years.
During Jan’s long career in education, she influenced and impacted countless students and faculty—she was passionate about investing in people and building lasting relationships. Jan pursued her doctorate in Education at OSU, completed the doctoral course work, but while writing her dissertation, lost all her research in a tragic house fire. Despite the setback, Jan went on to be a school Superintendent at both Yale and Carnegie, and finished her career at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Jan loved the Lord and was always involved in her local church, often teaching Sunday School and adding her beautiful soprano voice to the choir. Jan was a talented artist, skilled cook, savvy bridge player, and fierce competitor. Her derby pies were so popular she was forced to bring two to family functions to prevent pie skirmishes. She could sew, sing, paint, draw, cook, catch a largemouth bass, instruct aerobics, and bring a classroom of fifth graders to tears with an impassioned reading of Where the Red Fern Grows. Jan loved people, loved her many dachshunds, and loved a challenge! Jan also enjoyed a good adventure and took many memorable trips with close friends and family.
Near the end of her education career, Jan and Glenn began their successful pickle business, Imy’s Dream, so named after Jan’s Aunt Imogene who helped to raise Jan and influenced her love of education. She never grew tired of hearing people say, “That’s the best pickle I’ve ever had!”
Jan never backed down from a fight—she epitomized standing her ground and she aggressively pursued what she believed was right. To be loved by her was to be truly seen—and when Jan hugged you, she hugged you nearly to pieces, in a good way. Jan and Glenn moved many times as they worked and raised their family—and each place they called home was left better for their kindness and influence. They left roots in Pond Creek, Alva, Yale, Carnegie, Hardtner, Dacoma, and Carrier.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Cloma Thomas and Eugene Elmore; siblings Rick Elmore and Bob Thomas; and by two infant sons and twin infant daughters, Essie Jane and Ria Jo.
Jan is survived by her husband Glenn Williams; children, Jenni and Roger Lam, Sean and Julie Williams, Maggi and Victoria Williams; grandchildren Sean Todd Williams, Kenna Renea Lam, Karys Elizabeth Lam, and Savannah Rose Williams; and her siblings: Beverly Conover, Steve Thomas, and David Thomas.
Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 am in Anderson-Burris Chapel with Bro Mich Dershem officiating.
Memorials may be made through Anderson-Burris to Salvation Army, New Life Ministries or Yale Fellowship Baptist Church. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale for all of their extra special care for Jeannette. Condolences and memories may be made online at www.andersonburris.com.
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