A worship service celebrating the life of Janet Baker England was held on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church. She died peacefully at Washington Care Center on January 9, 2015 after an extended illness. Burial was at the Greenville Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home.
Janet was born on March 23, 1931 in Fredericktown, MO, the only child of Fred G. and Mae Corgan Baker. She moved to Greenville as a young adult with her parents. She worked for Mrs. Norma O’Bannon who was the Superintendent of Washington County Schools from 1948-1968. Although Janet had no siblings, when she married Frank Addams England, Jr., on January, 14, 1978, she instantly became a part of a large family, as Frank had four children and six grandchildren.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she was actively involved in the work of the church. Her faith and her church were paramount in her life. She enjoyed being a part of the Presbyterian Women and served as Circle Moderator numerous times over the years. She was honored to receive the highest recognition as a Life Member of Presbyterian Women.
Janet delighted in entertaining and enjoyed hosting luncheons for friends, dinner parties for couples, and birthday celebrations for family members. She loved any reason to entertain, always making certain that everything was perfect – from the place settings and the floral arrangements to the last bite of a delectable dessert. Her passion was her garden, and she often could be found working in her yard, creating a beautiful environment that welcomed birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Her green thumb was recognized throughout the community, and she enjoyed sharing the roses, annuals, and perennials grown in her garden. An active member of the Greenville Garden Club for twenty-five years, Janet also faithfully served as Chairman of the Horticulture Committee for over a decade. Traveling with Frank was a favorite activity for Janet, and over the course of their twenty-nine-year marriage, they enjoyed seeing many parts of the United States together.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and family members: Dexter England Johnston and Frank Addams England, III. She is survived by cousins Jill Johnson of Fredericktown, MO, Stephanie Tate Hartman of Petaluma, CA, and Pattie Tate Flora (Dean) of Saginaw, MI, and a multitude of England family members: Bill and Jo England Parker of Cleveland, MS, and children Rhodes Parker Miller and William Parker; Perry and Docia England of Greenville, MS, and children Kate England Mills, Parker England and Maggie England Waters; Harvey Johnston of Bowling Green, KY, and children Alston Johnston Pregnolato, Robert Johnston and Kyle Johnston; and Rayner Wineman England of Durham, NC, and children Rayner England, Dexter England Meath and Addams England, as well as 21 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express gratitude to the staff members of both Magnolia Gardens and Washington Care Center for the love and care they extended to Janet during her illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Food Effort for Emergency Distribution (F.E.E.D.), First Presbyterian Church, 1 John Calvin Circle, Greenville, MS 38701.